Table of contents:

1. Purpose
2. Applicability
3. Our Code of Conduct
4. Code of Conduct at events
5. Reporting an incident
6. Infringements of the Code of Conduct
7. Communicating the Code of Conduct

1. Purpose

This Code of Conduct helps us to display the set of standards that ATA has agreed to adhere to in order to live up to our values. Its goal is to sum up the rules and policies we want to follow and to explain what kind of behaviour we expect from each other.

As a general rule, at ATA, one is required to respect everyone regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, religion, beliefs, age, sexual orientation, disabilities, or any other characteristics that define who they are, where they come from, or what they look like.

In any of our events, we do not tolerate any disrespectful behaviour.

Disrespectful behaviours can be, but are not restricted to:

• Verbalizations that support social hierarchies based on a person’s gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion,
• Intentional intimidation,
• Persistent disruption of one’s speech or other activities,
• Physical touch without consent,
• Promoting or supporting any of the aforementioned behaviours.

It is recognized that the sensitivity of such behaviours may be conceptualised differently among cultures. However, at ATA, these are strictly unaccepted.

2. Applicability

This Code of Conduct applies to all ATA members, attendees at ATA events, partners of ATA and all people who hold a position of trust at ATA. These principles should be followed in all kinds of interactions between members of the community, whether they are carried out live or remotely.

A person who violates this Code of Conduct or ATA’s statutes can be seen as unfit to operate at ATA and, in extreme cases, can be dismissed from ATA membership according to association law and ATA’s official rules. Each case of potential violation of the Code of Conduct that is brought to ATA’s attention will be observed by the Board of ATA.

3. Our Code of Conduct

ATA’s common ground:

3.1. Multiculturalism and Ethnicity

3.2. Language

3.3. Faith and belief

3.4. Gender

3.5. Sexuality

3.6. Age

3.7. Disability

3.8. Privacy of members

3.9. Socio-economic background

3.10. Equality in general at ATA

3.1. Multiculturalism and Ethnicity

At ATA, each member should be able to be open about where they come from and what culture they belong to. Although ATA’s activities centre around Turkish culture, ATA accepts and welcomes people from all cultures and ethnicities. No one should have to hide or explain their cultural belonging.

3.2. Language

At ATA, everyone should feel welcomed despite what language they speak as their mother tongue. Language should be used to promote social inclusion and public participation in decision-making. Although Turkish is widely used in ATA events, ATA’s official language is English. Members are encouraged to use a common language to enhance social cohesion, whether this be Turkish, English or some other language.

3.3. Faith and belief

ATA is strictly secular as an organisation. However, everyone should be able to have, exercise, and express their faith and conviction without judgement. No one should feel that they need to hide their faith and beliefs or that they need to defend them. All activities should be organised in a manner that takes into account the sensitivity of these issues.

3.4. Gender

At ATA and among its members, gender should not be a defining factor in any context. Nobody should suffer negative consequences due to their sex and gender identity. Positions of responsibility are never tied to gender.

3.5. Sexuality

At ATA, our members should feel comfortable with openly showing their sexual orientation. Everyone is treated equally in the whole community, regardless of their sexual orientation. 

3.6. Age

At ATA, all members, regardless of their age, must have the equal possibility to participate in the association activities and events within the limits of the Finnish law. 

3.7. Disability

Activities arranged by ATA and its members are encouraged to be designed in a way that enables the participation of people with disabilities whenever possible. ATA and its members should also take into consideration the special needs a person with a disability may have, be it physical or mental.

3.8. Privacy

Everyone is entitled to have their private affairs kept that way. Nobody should ever be pressured to share any information they are not comfortable and willing to give. ATA shall also concentrate on safeguarding the information they have on any members or any other individuals. ATA will handle all of its data with the utmost respect and according to the GDPR statute of the European Union.

3.9. Socio-economic background

At ATA and among its members, the socio-economic background of a person should have no impact on the way anyone is treated. Events by ATA should be planned with the financial constraints members may have in mind. The board may decide, by majority vote, to financially assist a member’s participation in specific activities of the association. This must be done in a case-specific manner.

3.10. Equality in general 

ATA aims to promote equality on a comprehensive level. Everyone should be treated equally and with respect, also in matters that might not have been listed above.

4. Code of Conduct at events

Events are the central component of ATA’s activities, and thus an emphasised part of the Code of Conduct. These events build our community, and to that end, ATA’s goal is to create an environment where everyone feels safe and welcome to participate. Every ATA event is dedicated to providing harassment-free conditions for everyone.

ATA has zero-tolerance for all kinds of harassment and inappropriate conduct or behaviour. Examples of harassment may include for example making sexual comments about appearance, unwelcome touching, inappropriate sexual gestures, or sending suggestive communications in any format. All kinds of violence are categorised as inappropriate behaviour. In the event of such an act occurring, one can and should  contact any ATA board member or the Harassment Contact Persons (HCP) of the event where this occurred.. Our HCP has participated in training for harassment contact persons organised by AYY, and is equipped to handle such situations accordingly. Please see the following sections for further details on reporting a violation of the Code of Conduct and the HCP.

4.1. Expected behaviour at events

1. Be mindful of your surroundings and your fellow participants
2. Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behaviour and speech
3. Note that the use of illegal drugs is prohibited in ATA’s events
4. Violent behaviour is not tolerated at ATA’s events
5. Alert the event organisers immediately if you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress, or any violation of this Code of Conduct

4.2. For event organisers

Event organisers will be expected to enforce this Code of Conduct throughout their event to help create a safe and positive experience for everyone. It is important to anticipate: attend to safety in your events in advance and make sure that all of the organisers know how to deal with potential cases of inappropriate behaviour. (See next chapter for further checklist for event organisers.)

5. Reporting an incident

ATA has a zero-tolerance policy towards all kinds of inappropriate conduct. A safe environment is a subjective experience, which cannot be judged from the outside and always depends on the context. Silent acceptance can hurt, which is why all are encouraged to always act in case of seeing something that might be deemed inappropriate.

If you see, overhear or experience a violation of the Code of Conduct in ATA’s premises, e.g. at an event, please follow these steps:

1. If you encounter inappropriate behaviour yourself or as an observer, intervene in the situation and tell the person acting inappropriately to stop if possible.
2. If someone is in immediate danger, call the national emergency number 112 for authorities.
3. Contact the event organisers / harassment contact persons and tell what has happened.
4. If possible, write down or otherwise document what has happened to ease the further addressing of the issue.
5. Contact anyone from the ATA board to report the incident. They will take steps to further investigate and act on the issue.

After investigating the issue and hearing all relevant parties, the Board can pose sanctions to those who have been seen as violating this Code of Conduct. (More about the sanctions in part 6)

5.1. Contact information for the Chief Harassment Contact Persons and Chair of the Board

6. Infringements of the Code of Conduct

The aim of this section is to assist those who have responsibility for dealing and are encountered with inappropriate behavior. It is important to remember that while examples are given of the type of inappropriate behavior which may be dealt with by the sanctions outlined below, it is recognized that each incident will have its own particular circumstances.

Many individuals may not be aware of how their behavior has affected those subject to it. Thus, each case must be considered on its merits and it is not possible to have one model applied to all cases. 

6.1. Necessary actions outside of ATA

The actions set out in this document can also be taken alongside police or court action. None of the actions outlined in this document should replace reporting to and involvement of the police where offenses have been committed or where the safety of any person is threatened.

6.2. Equal treatment and transparency

Before making further decisions on possible sanctions, all relevant parties, including the person accused of inappropriate behavior, are contacted to get the best possible picture of the case in question. 

Furthermore, the ATA board is obligated by the official rules of the association to inform the party subject to investigation or disciplinary action as a result of a breach of the ATA Code of Conduct.

6.3. Possible sanctions for violating the Code of Conduct

The sanctions are considered and applied by the Board. The possible sanctions for violating the Code of Conduct include but are not limited to:

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AN OFFICIAL WARNING FROM THE BOARD

The purpose of the official warning is to immediately address the situation/violation with the person accused to prevent it happening again. If the behaviour continues after the warning, ATA reserves the right to impose further disciplinary actions, up to and including a ban on participation in ATA’s events and termination of membership. By giving the warning, ATA points out the inappropriate behaviour and gives the person a chance to change their behaviour before any further actions.

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A BAN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTIVITIES OF ATA

A person can be seen as unfit to take part in ATA, as a participant, volunteer, or representative of ATA in any position. The ban’s length is determined by the Board and can be permanent.

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TERMINATION OF ATA MEMBERSHIP

According to ATA’s official rules, it is possible to terminate a person’s ATA membership if the person has violated ATA’s statutes or purpose.

7. Communicating the Code of Conduct

The ATA Board is responsible for communicating this Code of Conduct, and the main communication language used is English. An official Turkish version must also be communicated. The document and its policies will be communicated through ATA’s communications channels to all members as well as to external partners to set up a common ground for the community.

This Code of Conduct has been implemented as a part of ATA’s membership process and is compulsory to agree upon in order to be accepted as a new member to the association. In addition, this document or a corresponding summary will be attached to all event descriptions, starting latest from the beginning of the year 2023. This ensures that everyone is aware of the policies that should be followed at events.