This Code of Conduct outlines the expected behavior of all participants in the EIA programs. We aim to foster a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment where everyone feels safe while learning and collaborating effectively. By participating in the program, you agree to abide by this Code of Conduct.

Respect and Responsibility

• Treat all participants, speakers, team, and members of the local community with courtesy and respect, regardless of their background, identity, views, experience, or ability.
• Harassment, discrimination, or abuse of any kind is not tolerated under any circumstances. This includes verbal, physical, and online behavior.
• Avoid language or actions that are offensive, discriminatory, or hurtful.
• Take responsibility for your actions and be mindful of their impact on others.
• Follow all program rules and instructions provided by EIA team.
• Be aware of and comply with local and EU laws and regulations of the program and the event destination country (see below).
• Use program resources responsibly and avoid damage to property.

Professionalism and Safety

• Behave professionally and maturely throughout the program.
• Arrive on time for all program activities and events.
• Dress appropriately for the program setting and activities.
• Respect the privacy of others and keep in mind that sharing personal information without consent is not allowed.
• Be aware of your surroundings and take steps to maintain your own safety and the safety of others.
• Report any safety concerns to EIA team immediately.
• Do not engage in illegal or harmful activities.
• Respect the physical boundaries of others.

Responsible Digital Interaction:

• EIA encourages sharing your experience on social media. However, it is the participant’s responsibility to ensure respectful and responsible online behavior.
• Respect others online as you would in person. Avoid cyberbullying, harassment, trolling, or spreading misinformation.
• Protect privacy. Do not share personal information about yourself or others without their consent. 
• Data Protection: Follow the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) if contacting individuals within the EU. This includes rules around contacting individuals for marketing purposes, data minimization, security measures, and data breach reporting. Remember: Ignoring the GDPR can lead to hefty fines! So, let's be responsible digital citizens and respect each other's privacy during the EIA and beyond.

For more details, check out the EU's GDPR website: https://gdpr-info.eu/

• Be mindful of your language and avoid offensive or discriminatory language.
• Address concerns directly with individuals or report them to EIA team for resolution.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI):

• • EIA is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community.
  • Treat all participants with respect and understanding, regardless of their background, identity, or experience.
  • Engage in inclusive language and behavior that avoids microaggressions, stereotypes, and harmful assumptions.
  • Actively listen to and value the contributions of all participants.
  • Be open to different learning styles and communication preferences.
  • Create opportunities for everyone to participate actively and share their ideas.
  • Acknowledge and appreciate the diverse backgrounds and experiences of participants.
  • Engage in respectful discussions about various social identities and experiences.
  • Celebrate the richness and value of a diverse community.

• Report any behavior that violates DEI commitments to EIA team for investigation and action.

Violations and Consequences

Violations of the Code of Conduct, and local and EU laws may result in disciplinary action, up to and including removal from the program without a refund, and, for serious violations, informing the authorities as necessary. Examples of violations include, but are not limited to:

• Alcohol consumption or being under the influence of alcohol in the EIA program venue.
• The use, possession, distribution, or manufacture of illicit drugs or controlled substances.
• Disruptive behavior (e.g., yelling, fighting, insulting)
• Violation of local laws or regulations (e.g. disturbing the peace at night, public drinking, littering)
• Physical, verbal, or online aggression, harassment, or abuse of any kind
• Contributing to the spread of private or harmful content (sharing personal information about others without their consent, discrimination, defamation and hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation)
• Discrimination or hate crimes: Targeting individuals based on characteristics like race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, etc.
• Criminal activity: Theft, assault, drug use and possession, etc.
• Damage to property: Vandalism, arson, etc.

Here are some resources to research:

Official website of the City of Porto: https://www.cm-porto.pt/
Portuguese Government Information Portal: https://eportugal.gov.pt/
Travel advisories for Portugal: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/ 

NB! EIA reserves the right to act according to its discretion based on the nature of the violation. The participation fee or any other cost will not be returned to an individual who is expelled from the program.

Reporting Concerns

If you experience or witness any violations of this Code of Conduct, please report them to an EIA team member immediately. All reports will be investigated confidentially and addressed appropriately.

Contact us

For questions or complaints, reach us at: info@inacademy.eu

Together, we can create a successful and memorable EIA experience!

Effective from: March 2024