ESN Perugia Code of Conduct
Title I – Initial Provisions
1. Preamble. Erasmus Student Network (hereinafter, also for brevity, “ESN”) is an association that promotes a culture of openness and inclusion, where its members can learn, network, and have fun.
ESN aims to foster a healthy and positive environment where everyone can feel safe and comfortable, where they can grow and develop as individuals, regardless of their identity, beliefs, or preferences, as long as the freedom of others is not infringed upon.
ESN promotes open, transparent, respectful, inclusive, honest, and non-violent communication, which respects people’s personal space. It also promotes a sense of community in which every member takes responsibility for the well-being of others.
ESN is committed to ensuring that its members behave in accordance with these values and principles both within and outside the association and undertakes to promote them.
Every person associated with ESN, regardless of their background or position, is expected to uphold and respect the values of the association by behaving appropriately and establishing relationships with others based on mutual respect and understanding.
With this aim, the Code of Conduct of ESN International was first established in 2017 during the Annual General Meeting in Berlin. The purpose of the document is to ensure that every person feels safe, included, and respected during their involvement with ESN International.
Erasmus Student Network Italy – ETS (hereinafter, also for brevity, “ESN Italy”) felt the need to establish its own Code of Conduct, based on the Code of Conduct of ESN International and adapted to the specific needs and structures of the National Organisation. Erasmus Student Network Perugia (hereinafter, also for brevity, “ESN Perugia”) has likewise felt the need to establish a local Code of Conduct, based on the Code of Conduct of ESN Italy and adapted to its own specific needs and structures, thus providing a point of reference for persons associated with ESN at local level.
ESN Perugia undertakes to promote and disseminate awareness of this document among its members.
Title II – The Code of Conduct
2. Definition and hierarchy. The Code of Conduct defines the standards of conduct that persons associated with ESN Perugia, individually and collectively, are required to observe in order to promote an environment conducive to respect for human dignity and rights, the enhancement of diversity and inclusion, and the promotion of equality and social justice.
This document shall be considered, in all respects, a Regulation of ESN Perugia and is intended to supplement and integrate the Statute approved by ESN Perugia. This Regulation is subordinate to the Statute of ESN International and its Regulations, the Statute and Regulations of ESN Italy, as well as the Statute of ESN Perugia.
3. Objectives. This document aims to:
a) Empower persons associated with ESN Perugia to build respectful and positive interpersonal relationships;
b) Define Prohibited Behaviours and facilitate the emergence of latent and/or hidden situations;
c) Raise awareness among members about the Prohibited Behaviours listed in this document;
d) Prevent and put an end to any Prohibited Behaviour;
e) Guarantee the right to confidentiality in the event of reports;
f) Provide guidelines and procedures to be followed in the event that Prohibited Behaviours have occurred or are suspected to have occurred.
4. Principles. In defining the conduct to be followed and encouraged, ESN Perugia is guided by the fundamental principles expressed in its own Statute, as well as in the Statute and Regulations, however named, of ESN International and ESN Italy, including:
a) Respect for human dignity: the principle aimed at recognising the intrinsic value, personal rights, and inalienable rights of every individual as a human being;
b) Non-discrimination: the principle aimed at ensuring equal treatment of all people, without distinctions based, by way of example and not limited to, nationality, biological sex, religion or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or physical and/or mental disabilities;
c) Full and effective participation and inclusion in ESN: the principle aimed at ensuring that everyone is included and can participate actively and meaningfully within the association, with equal access to the resources and opportunities offered;
d) Recognition of diversity and respect for differences: the principle aimed at recognising and respecting differences among people within the association as opportunities for mutual enrichment, and at removing discrimination and prejudice;
e) Equal treatment: the principle aimed at ensuring that all people within the association are treated equally, with no place for favouritism or privilege.
5. Scope of application. This Regulation applies to persons associated with ESN Perugia who are involved, in any capacity, in Activities of ESN Perugia, as defined below.
For the purposes of this Regulation, the term “Activity” shall be understood in its broadest sense and includes:
a) Meetings, gatherings, or events, either physical or online (hereinafter, also for brevity, the “Event” or “Events”), organised and/or promoted by ESN Perugia;
b) Documents produced, channels created, and communications issued by ESN Perugia and its members, through any physical, analogue, digital, or electronic means and/or medium;
c) External representation events, even if not organised by ESN Perugia, in which ESN Perugia participates through a delegation.
6. Prohibited Behaviours. The adoption of behaviours contrary to this Regulation and to the values of ESN International and ESN Italy (hereinafter, also for brevity, “Prohibited Behaviours”) is prohibited.
For the purposes of this document, Prohibited Behaviours shall mean all discriminatory behaviours, namely any conduct which, directly or indirectly, causes offence, denigration, or insult to a person on the basis of certain characteristics, and has the effect of treating a person differently without a legitimate purpose and without the manner in which the conduct is carried out having a necessary and adequate justification.
For the purposes of this document, such characteristics or preferences include, but are not limited to:
a) Age;
b) Disability;
c) Personal, political, or religious beliefs;
d) Sex and gender;
e) Sexual orientation;
f) Language and level of literacy;
g) Skin colour, nationality, or ethnic origin;
h) Physical appearance;
i) Dietary needs and choices;
j) The choice of whether or not to consume alcohol;
k) Illness;
l) Education and socio-economic background;
m) Role or experience within ESN.
The following behaviours are also prohibited:
a) Damage to and misappropriation of property: destroying, dispersing, damaging, or taking, in whole or in part, movable or immovable property belonging to others;
b) Bullying: aggressive behaviour consisting of acts of intimidation, domination, or physical or psychological oppression committed by an active subject – the bully – against a passive subject – the victim – intentionally and repeatedly over time, with the aim of causing isolation and distress;
c) Intimidation: threatening behaviour or words aimed at instilling fear and forcing a person to undertake or refrain from an action, using fear as a means of coercion;
d) Harassment: any act or conduct that causes annoyance, discomfort, distress, or disturbance to a person’s physical or psychological well-being or peace of mind;
e) Violence: any act or behaviour intended to cause harm to another person, their property, or their rights. In a broader sense, the abuse of force – including through words alone, psychological abuse, threats, or blackmail – as a means of coercion or oppression, intended to force others to act or give in against their will;
f) Sexual harassment and sexual violence: any unwanted act or behaviour, including verbal conduct, of a sexual nature that offends the dignity or freedom of the person subjected to it, or that may create a climate of retaliation or intimidation towards them;
g) Abuse of power: the exercise of a right or power contrary to its original purpose;
h) Nepotism and favouritism: behaviour aimed at using one’s role or position to influence decisions and procedures for the purpose of, or resulting in, favouring family members, cohabitants, persons with whom one has a romantic relationship (nepotism), or personal or professional relationships other than those based solely on collaboration (favouritism);
i) Defamation: behaviour aimed at damaging or offending the reputation of a person who is not present;
j) Harassment and mobbing: a combination of aggressive and/or persecutory behaviours carried out with the aim of targeting and marginalising the person who is subjected to them.
Under no circumstances shall physical or psychological impairment resulting from the consumption of alcohol and/or drugs be considered a justification or mitigating circumstance for any of the conduct referred to in this Article.
Title III – Handling of Violations
7. Reporting and handling of violations. Violations of this Regulation occurring during and/or after Activities organised and/or promoted by ESN Perugia may be reported within 12 (twelve) months following the event.
Reports must be submitted to the email address report@esnperugia.it by completing the appropriate reporting form available on the ESN Perugia website. Reports may be submitted by a member (including a member on probation) who has experienced the conduct constituting the violation.
The improper and/or instrumental use of the reporting form for purposes that are not compliant with this Regulation, as well as any acts of retaliation against anyone who, in good faith, reports or contributes to a report, shall be subject to sanctions analogous to those provided for violations of this Regulation.
8. Activities of ESN Italy and ESN International. During Activities of ESN Italy and ESN International, the Code of Conduct of ESN Italy and the Code of Conduct of ESN International, respectively, shall apply.
Title IV – Final Provisions
9. Amendments to this Code. The Statute and/or Regulations of ESN Perugia shall apply. The required majorities shall be determined according to the same procedures established by the Statute and/or Regulations of ESN Perugia.
10. Reference to the Statute of ESN Perugia. Without prejudice to the principles set out herein, this Regulation shall apply only insofar as it is not incompatible with the Statute of ESN Perugia in force.
For any matter not governed by this Regulation, or where this Regulation is incompatible pursuant to the previous paragraph, express reference shall be made, where applicable, to the Italian Civil Code and the legislation in force concerning associations and Third Sector Entities, including Legislative Decree No. 117 of 3 July 2017, as subsequently amended and supplemented.