Code of Conduct

Report an incident

If you have witnessed or been a victim of a violation of the Code of Conduct of ESN Sweden, please email one of our points of contacts which are the President and Vice-President of ESN Sweden.

If the case relates to ESN Sea Battle, please contact the National Event Manager.

Code of Conduct

1. Aim of the Code of Conduct 

This Code of Conduct sets out to ensure that every person feels safe, included and respected during their involvement with ESN Sweden. ESN Sweden makes clear their zero tolerance towards any type of discrimination, threatening behaviour or abuse. 

We highlight the importance of our values, which are unity in diversity, openness, tolerance and respect. We demonstrate our dedication to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity among our members and volunteers. 

We recognise our responsibilities as an international youth organisation and are committed to meeting them in full. An organisational culture that embraces equality and values diversity will help us ensure that everyone will feel involved and included in our plans, events and activities. 

2. People to whom this Code applies 

This Code applies to any individual, organisation or group participating in any activity and event of ESN Sweden and covers conduct at: 

  • All meetings and events, both organised for the members of the sections of ESN Sweden and for the students. (eg. ESN Sea Battle, National Assemblies etc) 
  • All ESN-related online and physical activity 
  • All external representation of ESN Sweden 
  • This Code of Conduct also applies to the activities and matters of local sections in the case of these not having their own Code of Conduct 

3. Discrimination, harassment and violence 

ESN Sweden respects and is open to everyone. This also means that no form of bullying, harassment, violence, disrespectful or discriminatory behaviour can or will be tolerated in our network. 

Incidents violating this policy extends to, but are not limited by: 

  • Gender or Sexual Identity based discrimination 
  • Race or Ethnicity based discrimination 
  • Aged-based discrimination 
  • Ability or knowledge based discrimination 
  • Discrimination based on Education, Socio-Economic background or Religious beliefs
  • Sexual harassment 
  • Bullying 

4. Drug and Alcohol Policy 

ESN Sweden has a zero tolerance towards use of non-prescribed drugs and overuse of alcohol during any of our events. 

That means that no volunteer or participant can harass any illegal substances during our event, in order to ensure the safety of both the user but also the participant during any activity or event. 

5. Behaviours 

All persons participating in the activities of ESN Sweden or its sections must act according to these values and work to cultivate an inclusive and accessible network. 

Individuals should be respectful and constructive in their communication and engagement with others and aim to treat others as they would like to be treated themselves. ESN will not tolerate any instance of verbally or physically aggressive or discriminatory behaviour. 

Violations of this Code should be reported to the designated Point of Contact (7.) and will be dealt with according to the relevant procedure. 

Reports can be made by anyone who has either experienced or witnessed a violation and anonymity must be assured if requested. 

6. ESN Sea Battle 

ESN Sea Battle is the National Event of ESN Sweden. The event is open to all international and national students, and often welcomes volunteers from all over the network. 

During the event, all the Organising Committee, Coordinators and volunteers need to be sober during their shifts and while wearing their volunteer T-shirt/badge, in order to ensure the safety of all the participants on the boat. 

All volunteers need to have been present at the information sessions and follow the advice and guidance of their supervisor, in order to ensure the smooth running of the event. 

7. Points of Contact 

The Points of Contact who are in charge of handling the possible Code of Conduct violations must always keep the information they receive confidential unless the party contacting them wishes otherwise. 

The Points of Contact are by default the President and Vice President of ESN Sweden. The primary way to contact the ESN Sweden’s Points of Contact about Code of Conduct violations is by emailing the President and Vice President directly. 

In addition to the permanent Points of Contact, in every ESN Sweden event (including but not limited to National Assemblies and ESN Sea Battle) there should be different Points of Contact according to who are the main responsibles for the event. For National Assemblies, the Vice President is the Point of Contact. For Sea battle, the Points of Contact are the President and the Event Manager. 

For all other events, the permanent Points of Contact should be the ones contacted in case of a violation. 

8. Breakage of the Code of Conduct 

In case there is a report on a volunteer or a participant breaking the Code of Conduct of ESN Sweden, the Points of Contact are obligated to investigate the situation, and then later on take measurements in order to ensure the safety of the participants of the event. 

  • Measurements include but are not limited to: 
  • Report to the University 
  • Removal of volunteer status (eg. A group leader becomes a participant during the event)
  • Cut of funding from ESN Sweden towards the volunteer (no grants for NAs etc)
  • Short term ban from all National and International Events 
  • Permanent ban from all National and International Events 

Permanently banned people will be included in a blacklist. In case of a crime being performed, according to the Swedish law, ESN Sweden or/and the local section is responsible to contact the authorities. 

9. Exceptions and changes to Code of Conduct 

The current Code of Conduct of ESN Sweden applies to all the members of ESN Sweden, including the 14 sections in all of the events organised by ESN Sweden or the sections and their participants, with the exception of the events organised in the local level by a section which has its own Code of Conduct. 

In case a conflict of interest arises with the designated Points of Contact, on a given case, then the case should be revised on a case by case basis by the National Board. 

In order for the Code of Conduct to be revised, the suggested changes must be approved by the local sections with a simple majority during a National Assembly of ESN Sweden.