Code of Conduct

The Organizers of the 7th Global Forum on TB Vaccines* (“7th Global Forum” or “Conference”) are committed to providing a professional, inclusive, respectful, and safe environment for all people involved in the conference – including attendees, speakers, session chairs, media, sponsors, staff, and volunteers (“Participants”) – regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, or religion (or lack thereof).

The Organizers value the diversity of views, expertise, opinions, backgrounds, and experiences among Participants and believe this diversity is fundamental to the scientific exchange and open dialogue that is encouraged at the 7th Global Forum.

Creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment is a shared responsibility. All Participants are expected to conduct themselves with integrity, treat all other Participants fairly and with dignity and respect, and abide by the following Code of Conduct.

Zero-Tolerance

  • The Organizers have zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, harassment, or bullying, whether physical or verbal, by Participants at the 7th Global Forum and reserve the right to take any action necessary to uphold the principles outlined in this Code, including revoking a Participant’s admission to the 7th Global Forum without a refund.

Expected Behavior

  • Be considerate and respectful of other Participants and of differing opinions, viewpoints, and experiences. While you may critique ideas constructively, personal attacks directed toward other Participants will not be tolerated.
  • Frame presentations, discussions, and questions as openly and inclusively as possible and be aware of how language or images may be perceived by others.
  • Follow the rules and policies of the host country and city, the conference venue and/or the mobile app and attendee website.
  • Turn off mobile phone ringers and notifications and any other devices that may disrupt Conference sessions.
  • Follow the social media policy and respect any presenter’s request not to share information on public platforms, including pictures or screenshots of presentations and slides. Recordings of presentations or slidedecks for public use are not allowed.
  • Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages may be served at social and networking events. The Organizers expect attendees to drink responsibly and reserve the right to deny service to attendees for any reason and may require an attendee to leave the event without issuing any refund of registration. Respect other Participants’ personal decisions on whether to consume alcohol.

Unacceptable Behavior

  • Harassment, sexual harassment, bullying, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.
  • Disparaging comments related to gender, gender identity or appearance, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, political views, or affiliation.
  • Physical or verbal abuse, threatening or stalking of any Participant.
  • Disrupting presentations at sessions or during other Conference-related events and activities.
  • Failure to abide by the rules and policies of the host country, venue, the Conference, and/or the mobile app and attendee website.

Reporting

  • If you have experienced or witnessed a Participant violating this Code of Conduct, please notify a 7th Global Forum staff member on-site or by emailing your concern to tbvaccinesforum@iavi.org. Please provide as much information as possible. All reports will be kept confidential.

If the Organizers receive reports that a Participant has failed to abide by this Code of Conduct, then the Organizers may take whatever actions they deem appropriate, including, for example, providing a warning and request for the behavior to cease, and/or expelling the Participant from the Conference without refund.

*The Organizers of the 7th Global Forum on TB Vaccines are the Stop TB Partnership Working Group on New TB Vaccines, IAVI, TuBerculosis Vaccine Initiative, the Brazilian Tuberculosis Research Network (REDE-TB) and the Ministry of Health of Brazil.