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HIAA SAFER SPACE GUIDELINES

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A safer space is a supportive and safe environment that encourages open-mindedness, respect, a willingness to learn from others as well as a space that is physically, mentally, and socially safer. Creating safer spaces for collaborative work, is in its essence a constantly changing and developing concept. A safer space can be formed, upheld and renewed with the help of jointly agreed guidelines. 
 
Safer and more equitable space makes you feel heard, seen, connected, understood and safe. Safer space concepts are conscious actions and based on mutual understanding that respectful actions and behaviours are central to our ability to work together. In a safer space, everyone commits to maintaining the space and making necessary adjustments in order to create one.
 
A Safer Space is built piece by piece over time and so it is understood that HIAA is always in process with this development. Whether with our smaller or larger events. The existence of a safer space cannot be one-sidedly declared without discussing it first, but we can give outlines or guidelines for creating it. (Principles for Safer Spaces)

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HIAA has developed basic Safer Space Guidelines (SSG) that cover all of our events. These guidelines are the foundation of safer spaces principles created by this association. They are a launching point for further development. The guidelines are as follows: 

 

  • Every HIAA event and activity is a discrimination-free and harassment-free zone

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  • Do not assume anything; ask, listen and discuss

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  • Treat every individual with dignity and respect

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  • Act honestly, truthfully and with integrity

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  • Avoid aggressions during discussion on conflicting views. Every disagreement can be solved peacefully

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  • Be transparent and accountable for all of your actions

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  • If you face any issues or experience a violation of this guideline, please contact the HIAA board, SSG responsible person or staff member at the event. We take concerns very seriously and will always respond in actionable ways

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GUIDELINES

 

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This is an opportunity for HIAA members to create a deeper understanding of the principles and  specific needs of the organisers and the participants of an event. This is a fluid set of behavioral principles with the foundations of the guidelines as a starting point.

 

Wherever possible HIAA organisers (specifically the SSG responsible person at the event - Emma Clear) will create an opportunity for everyone involved to create agreed-upon rules for respectful interactions during the event. 


When this is not possible we can utilise information and guidance from the list of questions below and the responses to these questions from the considerations of the SSG responsible person (Emma Clear) and from earlier events.

 

We understand that these questions and responses are not comprehensive to every situation but they add to the understanding of safer space and respectful interactions and have room for expansion.

RESPECTFUL INTERACTIONS

  • ‘No’ is a full sentence

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  • We comply when someone asks us to stop or says “no”

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  • We acknowledge that people make mistakes and give them space to learn

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  • We listen to other perspectives before jumping to conclusions

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  • Disagreements can be solved with inquisitiveness

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  • We always follow preferred pronouns

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  • Violence, aggressive or abusive behavior are absolutely unacceptable

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  • Offensive slurs and language are never acceptable under any circumstances

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  • Personal comments or attacks are never permitted

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  • HIAA expects you to read and follow instructions outlined for events

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  • If HIAA representatives ask you to leave or stop an action you must comply

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  • HIAA follows a three-strike rule

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  • HIAA expects you to follow our sustainability guidelines and recommendations

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  • You can expect HIAA organisers to maintain professionalism and respectful interactions

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  • You can expect HIAA to uphold the SSG and respectful interactions principles, however we are still human — you have a right to correct us if we are wrong 

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  • HIAA will endeavour to create a safe, warm and welcoming environment on- and offline

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  • We will clearly state who the SSG responsible person is at each event

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  • We will follow GDPR regulations

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  • HIAA will work to always be open to the specific needs of participants within each event space

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  • We will endeavour to keep expanding our understanding of equal access spaces and respectful interactions

SUMMARY

READ MORE HIAA's SAFER SPACE GUIDELINES 

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Questions to be addressed

What is not allowed?

Expect of participants

expect of HIAA organisers

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