A1new3: JEF Europe Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct (CofC) outlined in this section provides a broad and non-
exhaustive framework for understanding what behaviour is not permissible at
events and forums organised by Young European Federalists (JEF), including
online spaces and communication channels affiliated with the organisation.

JEF Europe is committed to maintaining and further developing a culture based on
mutual respect, human dignity, safety, and equality as preconditions to ensure
full access and active participation, reflecting the right to an empowering
space for safe and inclusive participation in its activities.

The aim of this Code of Conduct is to ensure that every individual feels safe,
heard, included, and respected in JEF Europe; that every individual has the
means to actively participate in JEF; and that JEF as an organization
continuously strives for further inclusiveness, diversity, and safety in all its
activities.

The Code outlines the social and ethical responsibilities of individuals and
groups, and binds JEF Europe to implement the Code. The Code comprises a set of
substantive and procedural rules, such as the use of contact persons, to ensure
safe participation and an empowering space, inclusion, equity, and respect of
all individuals involved with JEF activities.

This Code of Conduct is subdivided into following 12 sections:

1. Acting in accordance with the Code of Conduct

2. Consent

3. Assumptions

4. Power Relations

5. Relations with the Secretariat

6. Obligations

7. Application

8. Reporting

9. Enforcement

10. Legal steps

11. Privacy

The following sections provide additional details pertaining to the reporting of
breaches of the CofC, the interpretation of the CofC, and the measures that are
available for enforcing the CofC.

As a condition of acceptance in events organised by JEF, participants and
organisers agree to familiarise themselves with the CofC and, to the best of
their ability, to adhere to the following terms:

1. Acting in accordance with the Code of Conduct

The following rules shall be interpreted broadly to include any conduct
considered inappropriate and inconsistent with the ideals of JEF Europe as
expressed in the Statutes. Any breach of these rules shall lead to action as
defined in the procedures in section 10.

Participants in JEF activities commit to adopt and promote appropriate behavior
including but not limited to:

1. Respecting others and not using language or behaviour that is intended to
   denigrate or undermine their contributions;

2. Not discriminating on the basis of any personal or physical
   characteristics, including gender, appearance, nationality, style or any
   other features;

3. Ensuring that others are given the opportunity to speak and be heard
   without interruption;

4. Forming an environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their
   opinions, even if those opinions are in a minority, provided they are
   expressed in adherence to the other terms;

5. Discussing sensitive topics in a considerate manner, being mindful that
   others may be personally affected by them;

6. Understanding the importance of lived experience, not dismissing or
   seeking to explain the basic terms of issues or conflicts that others have
   been personally affected by;

7. Supporting the inclusion of others who may be less familiar with the
   issues being discussed in a way that does not put into question their
   intelligence or capability to understand them;

8. Refraining from commenting on someone’s appearance in ways that may make
   them feel uncomfortable or objectified;

9. Avoiding the use of language which treats a certain level of mental or
   physical health or bodily ability or a lack of as being normal or more
   desirable;

10. Showing an appreciation and a consideration for other people’s cultural or
    religious practices and beliefs, including understanding that what is
    acceptable in one’s own culture or religion may not be in others;

11. Appeals to cultural norms shall not justify behavior that constitutes
    discrimination, harassment, or abuse as defined in this Code;

12. Not feeding racist, gender or other stereotypes in their speech, actions,
    or behaviour, even as a joke or ironically;

13. Refraining from physical contact beyond basic greetings without consent
    and showing respect for the personal space of others;

14. Not peer pressuring others into partaking in voluntary activities;

15. Not bullying others for perceived mistakes or differences, defined as
    anything that is intended to draw laughter at their expense;

16. Not engage in any form of harassment, abuse, intimidation, or hostile
    behaviour towards fellow JEFers and participants in JEF activities.

2. Consent

All parties involved need to be familiar with the concept of consent and what
constitutes sexual and emotional harassment.

Consent is defined for the purposes of this document as an agreement between two
or more people to engage in activities together, while particularly relevant in
the context of sexual interactions, the concept of consent also serves as a
general guideline for respectful interpersonal behaviour.

Consent is not always given or refused through verbal or written approval and
those requesting it need to take into account non-verbal or written forms of
approval such as tone or body language.

If there is any doubt as to whether consent has been given, then the activity
should be stopped. Consent can be withdrawn and if this occurs, any failure to
stop the activity will be treated as harassment or abuse.

Consent cannot be given by someone who is significantly impaired by alcohol or
other substances and as a result, they are not fully conscious, awake or capable
of making informed decisions.

If someone agrees to an activity because of pressure or the threat of bullying,
even if it is implicit, then this does not constitute consent.

Consent should be defined in an easy-to-understand way according to the
definition provided in the document at the beginning.

3. Assumptions

As an inclusive and empowering space for young people from many backgrounds, JEF
is committed to the pursuit of a free and united Europe.

Understanding that prejudices and unconscious biases can be ingrained in us, it
is the responsibility of each individual involved in an event to actively avoid
making assumptions, including but not limited to:

1. A person’s background or opinions based on their skin colour, other
   external features, or their accent and vocabulary;

2. A person’s country of origin, whether this be its political status,
   economic status, or any other elements of their culture;

3. A person’s religious or political affiliation, and what this means for
   their opinions, convictions, and beliefs on a range of issues;

4. A person’s gender or sexual identity, noting that neither are binary nor
   are people required to place themselves on a spectrum upon request;

5. A person’s ability to do the same things as someone else, especially in
   the case of hidden disabilities;

6. A person’s good health or otherwise.

While making assumptions is not necessarily against the CofC on the basis that
people can make the wrong judgements on the appropriate comments in a particular
context and that this does not require intervention, failure to apologise if
prompted would constitute a potential breach of 1A.

4. Power Relations

Members of any of the JEF statutory bodies (Executive Board, Federal Committee,
Arbitration Board, Auditors Committee), the Secretariat, Permanent Contact
People, and the Pool of Trainers are considered to be in a relative position of
power and therefore in a special and unique position of trust.

The words someone in a relative position of power speaks, the actions they take,
and the environment they create can carry more influence and pressure than other
members of the group.

Individuals in a relative position of power must take extra care to ensure they
are not unduly influencing or pressuring members of the group, especially with
regard to consent.

Ways these individuals may take extra care include self-reflection, deferring to
the organisers and ensuring that they are not seen as having more power than
they have, and being open to feedback.

The CofC applies to these individuals in the same way as it would anyone else,
and no claim of a breach of the CofC may be investigated either by themselves or
someone who has a close relationship with them.

5. Relations with the Secretariat

The office hours of the Secretariat are 09:00 to 18:30 Central European Time.
These need to be respected, with no pressure exerted to work outside of office
hours.

The Secretariat should not be contacted on their personal phone number, email
address, or social media accounts for work-related purposes without express
prior agreement.

The relationship between the Secretariat, the other JEF statutory bodies and
positions of power, and the national sections, must be founded on mutual trust.
If issues cannot be resolved by the Executive Board and the Secretariat, the
issue will be elevated to the Permanent Contact People.

6. Obligations

Presenting the Code of Conduct

1. The Code shall be circulated ahead of and in every JEF Europe event and
   activity where applicable. The Code shall be presented on the first day
   and when deemed necessary reminders to the code shall be given by the
   appropriate party;

2. The Code shall be introduced using the Code of Conduct presentation;

3. The presentation of the Code of Conduct shall:

   1. ensure that participants understand its content and obligations;

   
   

   2. be appropriate to the purpose of the document;

   
   

   3. consider the type and duration of the event;

   
   

   4. The Code shall be presented by one of the organisers, facilitators,
      or the Contact Persons, and the means to report to the Contact
      Persons shall be presented at the same time;

   
   

   5. The Code shall be accessible for reference throughout the event or
      activity.

Permanent Contact Persons

1. Permanent Contact Persons are dedicated to ensuring safety and feeling of
   safety across the association and can be contacted online at anytime;

2. At least three (3) Permanent Contact Persons shall be elected by the
   upcoming Federal Committee and have a two-year mandate;

3. The number of Permanent Contact Persons shall be uneven in order to enable
   clear decision-making in cases where differing opinions arise, without the
   option of abstaining or not voting on the issue if that would impede
   making a decision;

4. The Permanent Contact Persons shall represent different gender identities;

5. The Permanent Contact Persons shall, to the greatest extent possible,
   reflect the diversity of JEF's membership, including different gender
   identities and, where possible, different backgrounds with regard to
   disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and geographical origin, so
   that all members can find a Contact Person with relevant lived experience;

6. The Permanent Contact Persons shall be familiar with the Code of Conduct
   and charged to interpret and act in accordance;

7. In case the Permanent Contact Person is unable to continue in the role or
   resigns, a new Permanent Contact person shall be elected by the Federal
   Committee for the remainder of the term.

Contact Persons

1. Contact Persons are dedicated to ensuring safety and sense of safety and
   to being available for participants in person and online;

2. At least two (2) Contact Persons shall be appointed by the organisers for
   every event and activity of JEF Europe. For smaller activities with fewer
   than ten (10) participants, the appointment of one (1) Contact Person
   shall be considered sufficient;

3. For online meetings of task forces, political commissions, and similar
   groups, the chair(s) may act as Contact Persons unless another person is
   designated;

4. The Contact Persons shall be selected so that they are available
   throughout the event or activity and they cannot hold a position of
   President, Vice President or a Member of FC Presidium;

5. The organising team of an event where two or more Contact Persons are
   appointed, must ensure that Contact Persons represent different gender
   identities;

   1. In exceptional cases when people of multiple gender are not directly
      available e.g. in the organising team, contact person can be one of
      the participants in the event or one of the permanent contact
      persons can assist remotely.

   
   

   2. Wherever possible, Contact Persons should not be part of the main
      organising team of the event in order to ensure independence and
      approachability for participants.

6. The organising team must ensure that Contact Persons represent different
   gender identities and, wherever possible, reflect broader dimensions of
   diversity relevant to the event's participant profile, including
   disability, ethnicity, and LGBTIQ+ experience;

7. The Contact Persons shall be trained by persons familiar with the Code of
   Conduct in interpreting and acting in accordance with it, as well as in
   facilitating the follow-up of a breach;

8. The Contact Persons shall be appointed and trained ahead of the event or
   activity in question;

9. If you do not feel comfortable reporting to the Contact Person, if you do
   not feel your rights have been ensured, or if you have any complaints,
   please contact one of the Permanent Contact Persons;

10. When multiple organisations are collaborating in organisation of an event
    or other activity covered by this Code, the Contact Persons should
    represent multiple organising parties.

Code of Conduct form

1. A specific form is made for each individual event or activity and is only
   accessible by the Contact Persons and shall be actively monitored during
   the intended event or activity and for four (4) weeks after the end of the
   event or activity by the Contact Persons;

2. The form shall provide the possibility to state what happened and what
   they wish that the next steps are;

3. The form shall have the possibility to provide one’s contact details or
   opt for anonymity;

4. There shall be a permanent form available on JEF website through which the
   Permanent Contact Persons can be contacted anonymously.

7. Application

This section outlines the scope of application of the Code of Conduct, including
to whom it applies and in which contexts, settings, and circumstances it is to
be observed.

To whom this Code of Conduct apply:

As outlined in the Introduction chapter and chapter on power relations , the
CofC applies to all JEF events and those in a position of power.

The CofC does not apply to events of national sections and other affiliated
organisations of JEF, unless the European bodies are involved as co-organisers,
as enforcement does not fall under the responsibility of the statutory bodies.

National sections and other affiliated organisations of JEF are entrusted to
comply with their legal responsibilities in all events and if this is in any
question then appropriate measures will be taken, including the recommendation
of disaffiliation pending a vote.

JEF Europe encourages national sections and affiliated organisations to adopt
and enforce their own Codes of Conduct or comparable safeguarding policies
adapted to their national context. In cases where such a document does not
exist, this Code of Conduct may be used as a guiding framework for ensuring
safe, respectful, and inclusive participation in their activities until a
dedicated document is developed and adopted at the national level.

When registering for or participating in a JEF event, each participant accepts
and commits to these rules by default.

JEF Europe requires that the behaviour of an individual participating in any
offline or online activity of JEF Europe, or representing JEF Europe in external
events, meetings, public communication, or online spaces, must be consistent
with and follow these rules.

Participants in JEF activities are encouraged to report any potential violations
of the Code of Conduct. At the beginning of each event, organisers must clearly
explain the reporting procedures and ensure that any reported concerns are
reviewed according to the established process.

As a participant in JEF Europe activities, you are expected to understand and
follow the Code, as well as your obligations under the law applicable wherever
you are. JEF Europe recognises that its network is conducting activities that
also involve the participation of minors on occasion. The Protection Guidelines
for Minors of JEF Europe1.detail the additional safeguarding measures to be
applied in case of the participation of minors.

The organisers of an event have a duty of care for anyone who is involved in a
potential violation of the CofC and must follow the accordant safeguarding
procedures.

As JEF events may occasionally include participants who are legally considered
minors (defined for the purposes of JEF as individuals under 18 years of age),
organisers have additional safeguarding responsibilities.

If you are ever in doubt about how to follow the rules set in the Code of
Conduct, you are encouraged to ask for guidance from any of the Contact Persons
(as defined in Section 11).

1 The Protection Guidelines for Minors of JEF Europe, 2023, available on the
internal area of JEF Europe website,
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19AvgewbUmsfGPuN7ziWy-
M8KE1xqCGRd/view?usp=sharing

Where and when this Code applies:

The Code of Conduct applies during both online and offline activities of JEF
Europe, in both formal and informal settings. The Code also applies between JEF
Europe events, including in all communication channels affiliated with JEF
Europe, such as messaging platforms, social media, email communication, and
other digital spaces used by the organisation, as well as in communications with
the staff of the JEF Europe Secretariat.

This Code may apply or act as a guide, at the discretion of the organisers,
within events hosted by more than one JEF section where no similar document has
been adopted. When collaborating with other organisations with their Codes of
Conduct or comparable documents, the organising parties will decide which
document shall apply but the JEF party involved needs to ensure that the minimum
standards set in this document are a reality also in the given collaboration.

A formal setting shall be understood as including any part of the working
programme of an event, Task Force or Political Commission meetings, and
statutory bodies’ meetings.

Informal settings shall be understood as including any activities happening in
connection to a formal meeting or any other JEF Europe event, including social
media interactions directly related to JEF Europe activities, or other informal
get-together clearly linked to JEF Europe activities. Activities surrounding the
working programme, including, but not limited to, social events and online
communication, shall be considered as informal settings.

8. Reporting

The Code of Conduct applies to every member of JEF Europe and every participant
in a JEF activity, regardless of their role in the organisation. If you observe
or experience behaviour that concerns you, or that may represent a violation of
our Code, please raise the issue with one of the Contact Persons promptly,
provided you feel comfortable doing so. You may choose to report anonymously or
be accompanied by a person you trust when making a report. This will allow JEF
Europe an opportunity to deal with the issue and correct it, ideally before it
becomes a violation of law or a risk to health or security.

Situations can be reported to the event Contact Persons up to four weeks after
the event, and the anonymous form will remain open for the same period. The
Permanent Contact Persons may be contacted at any time, with no fixed deadline,
and their route is fully equivalent to the event-specific route.

Inappropriate or unwanted behaviour or action can be reported through:

1. One or more of the Contact Persons presented at the beginning of the
   activity, in person or online;

2. A Code of conduct form that can be used to report anonymously;

3. Other means mentioned in the beginning of the event or activity.

JEF Europe is committed to ensuring that reporting processes are accessible to
all participants, including those with disabilities. Where necessary, reasonable
accommodations should be provided to ensure equal access to the reporting
process. Reports may be made verbally (in person or by call) as well as in
writing. The reporting form shall be available in plain language and, where
possible, easy-read format. A support person of the reporter's choosing may
accompany them throughout any reporting or follow-up process.

9. Enforcement

In case of any breach from the Code of Conduct, the dedicated contact persons at
the event or activity are required to, on their best judgement and with the
consent of the person affected by the conduct, in proportionate and progressive
measures and depending on the severity of the action:

1. Remind participants of their obligation to act in accordance with the
   present Code of Conduct and give them advice on how to do so;

2. Engage in a one to one conversation with the person in breach of the Code
   to make sure that there is a mutual understanding of the nature of the
   inappropriate action, including clarifying and explaining possible
   misunderstandings and intercultural differences;

3. Inform, only when necessary, the other organisers of the event or the
   meeting chairs about the problematic behaviour or the violation of the
   Code;

4. Facilitate a structured conversation between parties to resolve the
   situation, should the affected party in the situation consent to such
   conversation;

5. In consultation with the organising team and the facilitators of the
   activity, suspend the session and/or ban the person in breach of the Code
   from attending the remainder of the event or activity;

6. In consultation with the organising team and the facilitators of the
   activity and the Arbitration Board, the Executive Board may impose
   sanctions up to and including restrict or ban participation temporarily or
   permanently in future JEF Europe activities.

In the case of violent or other potentially illegal behaviour, contact the
police in consultation with the person affected in accordance with the national
law.

The Executive Board in consultation with organisers and contact persons of the
event may decide to suspend or permanently ban the person in breach of the Code
from future attending JEF events or activities. The decision shall be taken
within a month after the report is received.

In situations where the person reporting is known, they should be communicated
with as soon as practical about reception of their report. In any case, the
action agreed on by the contact persons and the person reporting should be taken
as soon as possible and when possible, during the event. The case is closed when
all of the agreed on steps have been taken to resolve the situation and all the
parties involved in the report have been made aware of the steps taken and of
the closure. When applicable and the reporting person is known, the Contact
Persons may encourage them to seek professional advice or help.

If a report leads to a formal follow-up or investigation, the person whose
behaviour is being examined shall be informed of the concern raised and the
nature of the alleged breach of the Code of Conduct. This communication shall
take place as soon as reasonably possible, while ensuring that the identity of
the reporting person remains confidential if anonymity has been requested. All
parties involved shall be treated fairly and respectfully throughout the
process.

10. Legal steps

This Code applies to all participants, organisers, trainers, elected
representatives, staff members, and any other individuals involved in JEF Europe
activities.

They are expected to comply with the Code of Conduct as well as all applicable
laws, rules and regulations. In a case where the provision of the Code of
Conduct should conflict with applicable law, the law prevails.

In cases where behaviour may constitute a criminal offence under applicable
national law, including but not limited to physical violence, threats,
harassment, or discrimination prohibited by law, the Contact Persons, in
consultation with the person affected whenever possible, may contact the
relevant law enforcement authorities where required or appropriate under
national legislation.

Such measures do not limit or interfere with the right of the affected person or
group to independently pursue legal action or seek protection through the
appropriate legal channels.

11. Privacy

To protect the privacy of all parties concerned, the Contact Persons and other
persons involved in the process are bound to confidentiality and discretion
regarding any information they become aware of during the reporting process,
except if any legal procedure requires it or for the safety of the individual.

The Contact Persons and other persons involved in the process shall not disclose
the identities of the parties concerned without their prior consent.

The Permanent Contact Persons shall develop and maintain an internal guidance
document for Contact Persons. This document shall contain anonymised
descriptions of cases and practical guidance on how different situations have
been handled in the past. All information included in this guide must be fully
anonymised and written in a way that prevents any case from being traced back to
specific individuals, events, or locations. The purpose of this document is to
support future Contact Persons in responding appropriately to potential breaches
of the Code of Conduct while preserving the privacy and confidentiality of all
parties involved.

In the cases where the Executive Board may decide to ban or suspend someone from
attending further JEF events, the decision may be reflected in the minutes of
that meeting in a way so as to guarantee the anonymity of the persons involved
in that Code of Conduct breach.