How we treat each other
AVAxParis brings together people who want to end the use of animals — with different backgrounds, strategies and experiences. These guidelines make sure everyone can take part safely, be heard and be treated with respect. By registering you agree to them.
We are a movement, not a marketplace of egos. Disagreement about strategy is welcome and necessary; attacks on people are not. We ask everyone — participants, speakers, volunteers, sponsors and the organizing team alike — to follow the same guidelines.
Four principles
Respect
Treat everyone with dignity, in person and online, whatever their role, organization, experience or approach to advocacy.
Care
Look out for each other. Many of us carry heavy stories; be gentle, check in, and ask before assuming.
Consent
Ask before touching, photographing or recording someone, and accept a “no” the first time.
Inclusion
Make room for newcomers and quieter voices. Nobody is excluded because of gender, identity, sexual orientation, origin, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, class, body or language.
The guidelines
- No harassment of any kind: unwanted comments or jokes, intimidation, stalking, sustained interruption, unwelcome physical contact or sexual attention.
- No discrimination, slurs or demeaning remarks about anyone's gender, identity, sexual orientation, origin, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, class, body or language.
- Debate ideas, not people. Criticise strategies and arguments; do not question anyone's motives, worth or commitment.
- Ask before you touch, photograph or record. Respect people who do not want to appear in pictures (see the photo policy).
- Keep confidences. Personal stories, security matters and unpublished plans shared in a session stay in the room unless the person says otherwise.
- Share the space: let others finish, keep to the time, keep the volume down near sessions and leave seats for people who need them.
- Take care of the venue, the food and the people who work there. All food is vegan; please do not bring animal products into the venue.
- Alcohol only where the organization serves it, and in moderation. No illegal substances. Come to sessions sober.
- No promotion of violence against people, no weapons, and no actions on behalf of the event that the organizing team has not agreed to.
- Follow the instructions of the organizing team and volunteers, especially in an emergency, and wear your badge inside the venue.
What happens if the guidelines are broken
The organizing team may ask anyone who breaks these guidelines, or who poses a risk to the safety or well-being of other participants, to leave the venue — immediately and without a refund — and may exclude them from future AVA events.
Before acting we listen to everyone involved and we respond proportionately: a conversation, a warning, removal from a session, or removal from the event. Serious incidents may also be reported to the authorities.
Reports are handled in confidence by the organizing team. Nobody will face retaliation for reporting in good faith.
If something happens
Tell any member of the organizing team or a volunteer (look for the badges), use the confidential incident form on the policies page, or write to tim@avainternational.org. In an emergency, call 112 first.
By registering for AVAxParis you agree to these guidelines. Tickets