Code of conduct to ensure a safe environment at ESN Amsterdam
This Code of Conduct sets out to ensure that every person feels safe, included and respected during their involvement with ESN Amsterdam. We outline our policies to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the international students, volunteers and all others affiliated with ESN Amsterdam. We make our zero-tolerance policy clear towards any kind of discrimination or threatening behaviour. Not only that, but we reaffirm the importance of our core values, those of unity in diversity, openness, tolerance and respect. We demonstrate our dedication to encouraging diversity among our members and volunteers. Furthermore, we recognize our responsibilities as an international student organisation and are committed to meeting them in full. An organisational culture that creates a safe environment, embraces equality and values diversity will help us to ensure that everyone feels involved and included in our plans and activities.
This Code applies to any individual, organisation or group participating in any activity or meeting of ESN Amsterdam and covers conduct at:
ESN Amsterdam is an environment that respects and welcomes everyone, and in which no form of bullying, harassment, violence, disrespectful or discriminatory behavior is tolerated.
i. Bullying
Repeated or severe unwanted behaviour (verbal, physical, social, or online) that humiliates, intimidates, excludes, or undermines a person.
ii. Harassment
Unwanted conduct that violates a person’s dignity or creates a hostile, degrading, or offensive environment, including verbal, physical, written, and online behaviour.
iii. Sexual harassment
Unwelcome sexual advances, comments, touching, pressure, jokes, or requests for sexual or romantic interaction.
iv. Violence
Physical aggression, coercion, forced intoxication, or sexual violence.
v. Discrimination on the basis of (non-exhaustive):
ESN Amsterdam operates under a clear consent culture. Anything that is not a clear and enthusiastic “yes” is considered a “no”.
Consent cannot be given if a person is intoxicated, pressured, coerced, or unable to freely decide.
If alcohol is served at an activity, paid or open, ESN Amsterdam reserves the right to impose a required minimum age of attendees of 18 years (further clarification in section 4.1. Alcohol).
Our activities are organised for the international students of higher education institutes located in the city of Amsterdam, surrounding area and institutes to which ESN Amsterdam is the closest ESN section unless stated otherwise. This extends to, but is not limited: exchange students, full-time international students and international interns unless stated otherwise. Activities can be attended by volunteers of ESN Amsterdam. Open events organised by ESN Amsterdam can be attended by everyone, this will be specified in the description of an activity.
ESN Amsterdam values the health and safety of all those involved with the organisation and safeguard this during all its activities. ESN Amsterdam takes its responsibility to create a safe and inclusive environment at all activities. The facilitation of alcoholic beverages at activities shall always be done responsibly and in accordance with Dutch law. It is expected from all involved with ESN Amsterdam to act responsible and safe in regard to the consumption of alcohol.
No one is obliged to drink alcohol and should never feel so. At ESN Amsterdam, we do not accept underage drinking. Alcohol cannot be made available for people underage, and the consumption of it by people underage is not allowed. In the Netherlands, the legal age to consume alcohol is 18 years old. If an activity takes place in another country, the legal drinking age of that country applies. If alcohol is served during an activity, non-alcoholic beverages will always be available and promoted. Bringing your own alcoholic beverages to an activity is not allowed, unless explicitly stated otherwise. The Executive Board can as well act according to the relevant procedure (7.2.–7.5.) to any violations or irresponsible behaviors regarding alcohol.
ESN Amsterdam has a zero-tolerance policy regarding drugs at any of the activities. This applies to the use, possession and distribution of drugs, as well as being under the influence of drugs during activities. The definition of drugs includes both ‘soft drugs’ and ‘hard drugs’. The substances that are regarded as soft drugs extend to, but are not limited to: marijuana, hash, psychedelic truffles and mushrooms, and nitrous oxide. Violation of this section will result in the automatic exclusion for the remainder of the event and possible exclusion from one or more future activities, as described in sections 7.1-7.3.
It is forbidden to bring any dangerous object to any of the activities. Dangerous objects include, but are not limited to fireworks, firearms, knives, other sharp objects, or an imitation of any of these objects. The Executive Board of ESN Amsterdam determines if an object is dangerous. Violation of this section will result in the automatic exclusion for the remainder of the event, and additionally, possible exclusion from one or more future activities, as described in sections 7.1-7.3.
ESN Amsterdam hosts many of its activities at external locations, which have their own rules and regulations. In case of a conflict between the rules and regulations of the activity’s location and this Code of Conduct, the rules and regulations of the location take precedence. ESN Amsterdam will actively avoid locations whose values, rules and/or regulations conflict with this Code. Anyone involved with such activities is obligated to obey the directions, rules and/or regulations expressed by the organising partners of ESN Amsterdam, venue staff, security staff or any other authority recognised by ESN Amsterdam. Should one not comply with these directions and/or regulations, the relevant authority can act based upon their own rules and regulations. The Executive Board can as well act according to the relevant procedure (7.2.–7.5.).
The Executive Board of ESN Amsterdam is responsible for ensuring that all parties present are aware of their rights and obligations under this Code of Conduct. In case of witnessing or experiencing any violations of this Code, you should report it to the Executive Board, the Confidential Advisor (by default the president), or the appointed HR Coordinator. Any violations of the Code of Conduct as stated in 3. Discrimination, harassment and violence shall be acted upon by the Executive Board, the Confidential Advisor or the HR Coordinator of ESN Amsterdam according to the relevant procedure (7.2.–7.5.). Any violations of the Code of Conduct as stated in 4. Alcohol and Drugs, or 5. Dangerous Objects shall be acted upon by only the Executive Board according to the relevant procedure (7.2.–7.5.).
The Executive Board of ESN Amsterdam reserves the right to act upon witnessing a violation in the act or upon a well-founded suspicion, including but not limited to: complaints from participants or ESN Amsterdam volunteers and observations of physical appearance and behavior. Volunteers of ESN are encouraged to report any violations of this Code to the Executive Board, the Confidential Advisor or HR Coordinator. Volunteers are not allowed to take disciplinary actions themselves.
In the case of witnessing or receiving any complaints, the Executive Board, Confidential Advisor or HR Coordinator are required to take the following steps, based on their best judgement and depending on the severity of the action:
Disciplinary actions aim to be proportionate, educational, and protective rather than punitive.
If the Executive Board or Confidential Advisor feel at any time that there is a risk of injury to any person, they should contact the relevant authorities if necessary and possible according to the laws of the country.
All information related to reports and investigations shall be handled discreetly and in accordance with applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Personal data shall only be processed when necessary and retained no longer than required.
This Code of Conduct applies to all ESN-related online spaces, including social media platforms, messaging groups, and digital communication channels.
Cyberbullying, online harassment, sharing content without consent, or any conduct violating this Code in digital spaces is strictly prohibited.
We acknowledge that some countries or communities may permit or require some form of segregation (e.g. based on gender for certain activities/trips), which goes against the spirit of our code of conduct. In this situation, we would not expect anyone acting on behalf of ESN Amsterdam to violate local laws, or expose themselves to any risk of legal or physical harm. Any restrictions of this nature should be communicated to the Point of Contact prior to the activity.
This Code of Conduct shall be reviewed periodically by the Executive Board of ESN Amsterdam to ensure its continued relevance, effectiveness, and alignment with ESN values.
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