Our charter

Charter for a healthy, respectful and inclusive environment 

The purpose of this charter is to ensure a welcoming, respectful, and harmonious environment for all individuals who participate in the research activities and/or events of the PandemicStop-AI consortium. Participants include students, researchers, highly qualified personnel, partners, guests, and speakers taking part in the consortium’s activities and events. 

Individuals participating in PandemicStop-AI consortium activities commit to: 

• Treating all individuals with respect and consideration. 

• Demonstrating open-mindedness toward new ideas. 

• Commenting on ideas rather than on individuals. 

• Valuing the diversity of perspectives and opinions. 

• Managing potential interpersonal conflicts constructively and seeking amicable solutions. 

• Respecting commitments made to the consortium (for example, facilitating an activity or participating in a working group). 

• Using inclusive and appropriate language (for example, avoiding gendered terms and heteronormativity) and respecting preferred names and pronouns. 

• Ensuring respect for confidentiality and sensitive information that may be shared, such as data that could identify anyone as belonging to a marginalized group. 

The following, without being limited to these examples, are considered unacceptable behaviors: 

• Persistent disruption of any activity, work meeting or presentation, including repeated interruptions, diversion from the agenda, or behaviors that hinder the proper conduct of activities. 

• Use of traditional or social media to target individuals in ways that harm their privacy or reputation (for example, publishing or threatening to publish personal information, repeated online harassment). 

• Harassment or bullying, including verbal and/or written abuse (including on social media), and any physical act or behavior intended to threaten, intimidate, humiliate or coerce a participant. 

• Discriminatory actions based, in particular, on ethnic background, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, age, socio-economic status or beliefs. 

• Sexualized behaviors, including but not limited to sexualized comments or jokes, display of sexually explicit material, and unsolicited sexual remarks or conduct. 

• Hateful language, threats, or violent statements. 

• Retaliation or intimidation against a person who has reported an issue in good faith. 

In the event of non-compliance with the commitments of this charter, the individuals concerned are encouraged to engage in respectful dialogue to resolve the situation. In some cases, clarifying the sources of discomfort may resolve disagreements quickly and satisfactorily. 

When dialogue is unsuccessful or the context does not lend itself to such an approach, the individual or individuals affected by behavior that contravenes the commitments of the Charter may make use of the reporting and support mechanisms in place within their university (see list below). These mechanisms fall under the institutional expertise of each university and provide an appropriate framework for managing such situations. By proceeding in this manner, the consortium honors and aligns itself with the existing policies, frameworks and mechanisms of the institutions to which the researchers and highly qualified personnel belong. These may vary from one institution to another. The consortium acts in a complementary manner and does not replace partner institutions. 

The PandemicStop-AI consortium reaffirms the importance of respecting this charter across all its activities to ensure a welcoming, healthy and harmonious environment. All participants must familiarize themselves with the charter and commit to respecting it. 

This charter is inspired by the code of conduct in force within the Québec Interuniversity Network for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (RIQEDI).