Event Code of Conduct

The Event Code of Conduct outlines our expectations for all attendees, speakers, sponsors and volunteers at a Middle East Forum event. Event organizers will enforce this Code and expect cooperation from all participants to help us promote a safe, inclusive and appropriate environment for everyone.

MEF is dedicated to providing a harassment-free event experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment of event participants in any form.

Participants asked to stop inappropriate behavior are expected to comply immediately.

Please do:

  • Maintain a respectful, considerate, and courteous attitude towards everyone you engage with online, at the event, and the venue
  • Secure your belongings and be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants
  • If there is a situation that looks concerning or could be dangerous, notify event organizers in a prompt manner
  • Provide clear, valuable, honest information
  • Obey all rules and regulations of the event venue and instructions of the event staff

Please do not:

  • Demean, discriminate, abuse, harass, or threaten those who you engage with online, at the event, and the venue
  • Spam event participants
  • Post content that is obscene or otherwise objectionable
  • Use an MEF event for commercial or advertising purposes. Event organizers reserve the right to escort any individual from the event who is reported to be soliciting and who is not an MEF exhibitor at the event or an entity that has entered into a specific sponsorship agreement for the event.
  • Post copyrighted content without permission from the owner

Unacceptable Behavior:

Harassment, bullying, intimidation, and/or insinuations that are hurtful or interfere with any other attendee’s experience or participation are unacceptable behaviors. Examples of unacceptable behavior include but are not limited to the following:

  • Demeaning, discriminatory or harassing behavior or speech, including that insults or demeans the characteristics of a person.
  • Inappropriate physical contact.
  • Unwelcome sexual attention, including sexualized comments or jokes, inappropriate touching, groping, or sexual advances.
  • Deliberate intimidation, stalking or following.
  • Sustained disruption, including during talks and presentations.
  • Violence, threats of violence, or violent language directed against another person or group.
  • Possession of dangerous or unauthorized materials such as explosives, firearms, weapons or similar items.
  • Bullying including repeated verbal abuse; verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a threatening, intimidating or humiliating nature; or the sabotage or undermining of a person’s presentation.
  • Theft or inappropriate removal or possession of property.
  • Use, distribution, sale, or transfer of illegal drugs.
  • Any other illegal activity or forms of harassment not covered above.

Reporting Violations of this Policy

If you have been (or notice that someone else has been) impacted by someone failing to adhere to this Code of Conduct or have additional concerns, please contact a member of the MEF staff onsite or by emailing events@meforum.org

In the event of an emergency situation, please contact local authorities immediately.

Consequences of Violating this Policy

Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated at MEF. Unacceptable behavior may result in expulsion from the event without warning or refund. This may also result in prohibition from registering or attending future events.

MEF reserves the right in its sole discretion to determine what constitutes unacceptable behavior and what actions it will take to address incidents that occur.

Agreement

In line with and in consideration for my participation in a MEF-sponsored event, I accept and will adhere to the Code of Conduct when participating in such event. I understand that MEF may take any action it deems appropriate, including removing me from the event without a refund, should I fail to adhere to this Code of Conduct.