Code of Conduct for Participants in a World Congress of Environmental and Resource Economists (WCERE)

September 22, 2024

The “Code of Conduct for Participants in a WCERE” (henceforth “Code of Conduct”) applies to all participants in the WCERE series of events organised under the coordination of the World Council of Environmental and Resource Economists Associations (henceforth “WCEREA”).

All participants in a WCERE are expected to abide by standard principles of scientific integrity and abide by the Code of Conduct when participating at a WCERE.

Acknowledgement and acceptance of this Code of Conduct will be required from all those who participate in a WCERE, regardless of location or platform, during the registration process.

This Code of Conduct guides everyone who participates in or attends a WCERE, whether in person, virtual, or hybrid. The WCERE Local Organisers (henceforth “LOC”) want to ensure that all participants understand what behaviour is expected and what behaviour will not be tolerated. The facilities covered by this Code of Conduct include any venue including hotels, meeting rooms, field sites, or locations where a WCERE takes place, and, additionally, at locations where WCERE-related social gatherings take place.

The LOC is committed to facilitating an equitable and inclusive environment throughout all the WCERE activities; to creating and maintaining an engaging and productive environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, one that is welcoming and free from any form of harassment or other discrimination. This requires a culture in which all individuals are respected and are treated fairly regardless of their individual characteristics such as gender identity and expression, age, race, ethnicity, nationality or national origin, religion, political affiliation, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, disability, health condition, physical appearance, marital status, parental status, professional status, or personal connections.

The LOC strives to provide an atmosphere that promotes intellectual discourse and opportunities for professional development for all, including those who are historically under-represented in the WCERE Community.

The LOC has no tolerance for, and prohibits, any type of discrimination or harassment in professional conduct, including sexual harassment and racism, within a WCERE.

By participating in a WCERE, participants agree to:

  • Be considerate and respectful to each other.
  • Communicate openly and thoughtfully and encourage others to do the same.
  • Refrain from harassing, discriminatory or demeaning conduct.
  • Undertake for the entire duration of the Conference to use the premises where the event will take place, including the premises where the social events associated with the event will take place, as well as the materials and equipment made available, with the utmost care and diligence and to answer for any damage and expenses caused by you to people or things as a result of your participation in the event.
  • Undertake to strictly comply with the safety and conduct rules envisaged and with any indication provided by the LOC.
  • Not violate copyright, trademarks, or other reserved rights. For copyright reasons, recordings of any kind are prohibited without prior written consent of the presenter and the LOC.
  • Attendees may not capture or use materials presented during the meeting – including unauthorised material broadcasted or made available on the WCERE website by the “LOC” – without written permission of the presenter or unless it is exclusively for personal use.
  • Understand that views and opinions expressed during the meeting are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the “LOC” or any other member or partner of the WCEREA.
  • Hold the WCEREA and the LOC harmless from any liability connected to any intentional or negligent event attributable directly or indirectly to your conduct.  Participants declare to indemnify the LOC and the WCEREA from any liability for any damage, loss or injury, not dependent on its work, that themselves and their personal effects may suffer as a direct or indirect consequence of participation in the WCERE and within the limits permitted by law.

Moreover, by participating in a WCERE, participants:

  • Authorise the use of their personal data for event material and communication activities.
  • Acknowledge that the WCERE are fully recorded, that full recordings and uploaded presentations and posters might be made available at the WCERE platform, and that edited recordings of a selection of sessions might be available to the wide public on the WCEREA communication channels.
  • Explicitly confirm that they have read the information notice prepared by the LOC pursuant to article 13 of the GDPR regarding the data processing activities.

If any participant in a WCERE believes they or another participant has been subject to conduct that violates this Code of Conduct, or witnesses such conduct, they should report the violation to the LOC, while onsite at the WCERE or as soon after the WCERE as possible.  Anyone who receives such a report or who witnesses inappropriate conduct must notify the LOC onsite at the WCERE, and email the LOC at the address indicated on the WCERE website as soon as possible. All reported concerns will be treated seriously and investigated promptly. All participants are expected to cooperate fully and honestly with any investigation.

At WCEREA and LOC’s sole discretion, any violation of this Code of Conduct may result in removal from or denial of access to the WCERE without a refund of any applicable registration fees, and/or disqualification from attendance at future WCEREs.

Views and opinions expressed during the WCERE are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the LOC, the WCEREA or any WCEREA’s member or partner associations unless expressly indicated to be such.

This Code of Conduct is subject to LOC’s national law.
Without prejudice to cases in which jurisdiction is mandatory by law, all disputes arising from the interpretation or execution of these Rules shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court indicated by the LOC.
Participation in a WCERE implies unconditional acceptance of all the rules contained in the Code of Conduct for participants in a WCERE.
This Code of Conduct is available on the WCERE website.
This Code of Conduct is valid and effective from the date of publication on a WCERE website.
Any changes to the Code of Conduct will be communicated to Participants via the e-mail address used for registration for the WCERE.