Effective Altruism Germany (EA Germany) is a network of people who are willing to help one another and collectively work towards a better world. Our members are from all walks of life and have a wide range of personal beliefs – what unites us is our desire to be more effective in how we do good.
The Code of Conduct exists to ensure that people in our community and participants of our offers can collaborate in a positive and successful way. To that end, we have a few ground rules that we ask people to adhere to. This isn’t an exhaustive list of things that you can’t do. Rather, take it in the spirit in which it’s intended – a guide to make it easier to enrich all of us and the communities in which we participate.
The Code of Conduct applies to all spaces managed by EA Germany. This includes online spaces, in person events, and any forum which the community uses for communication. Violations of this code within and outside these spaces may affect a person’s ability to participate within them.
If you believe someone is violating the Code of Conduct, we ask that you report it by emailing our Community Health Contact or informing us (anonymously) via this form. EA Germany will adjudicate all reports of misconduct as promptly, impartially, and fairly as possible in line with the process set out here. You will not face any retaliatory or adverse action by EA Germany for making a report in good faith.
Possible reactions to code violations are preventive measures that are suitable, necessary and appropriate to prevent future misconduct.
Encouraged behaviours
- Be welcoming, friendly, patient and considerate with others
- Be respectful: Not all of us will agree all the time. Disagreement is no excuse for poor behaviour and poor manners. We might all experience some frustration now and then, but we shouldn’t allow that frustration to turn into personal attacks
- When we disagree, try to understand why: Disagreements happen all the time and it is important that we resolve differing views constructively. We understand that human interaction can be complex and confusing. Please give each other the benefit of explaining behaviour you find offensive or unwelcome. However, people asked to stop any prohibited conduct are expected to comply immediately
- Be careful in the words that we choose
- In interactions where you may be overstepping another person’s boundaries, ask for consent and respect a no
- Strive to be an active bystander: ask when you think someone might be uncomfortable, or someone might be acting against this code
- Reflect on your own privileges and responsibilities that come with them
Prohibited behaviours
- Do not insult or put down other participants. Harassment and other exclusionary behaviour aren’t acceptable. This includes, but is not limited to:
— Violent threats or language directed against another person
— Discriminatory jokes and language
— Posting violent material
— Personal insults
— Repeated harassment of others: If someone asks you to stop, then stop
— Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behaviour - Sexual misconduct of any kind:
— Unwanted sexual behaviour or solicitation of sexual contact
— Unwanted sexually motivated touching
— Unwanted comments of a sexual nature
— Unwanted display or visible display of pornographic images - Alcohol, cannabis and illegal drugs:
— Do not encourage others to consume alcohol, cannabis or illegal drugs
— We expect participants to consume legal drugs like alcohol and cannabis responsibly. This means to us that you are able to take full responsibility for your words and actions
— The consumption of illegal drugs (substances named under the German Narcotics Law (Betäubungsmittelgesetz)) is not permitted at our events. This policy does not prohibit participants from the lawful use and possession of prescribed medications
Interacting with Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults
Active participation in our events and the online spaces we manage is permitted only for individuals 18 years of age or older. Nevertheless, participants may encounter children or adolescents, for example, if participating parents bring their children along. The following rules of conduct apply in such cases.
We define the age ranges for these groups as follows:
Children: 0–13 years
Adolescents: 14–17 years
Young adults: 18–27 years.
We define “one’s own children” in the legal sense. Specifically, a person’s own children are those with whom that person has a relationship as defined in Sections 1591 et seq. and 1741 et seq. of the German Civil Code (BGB).
- If you consume alcohol or cannabis at our events, be especially mindful of your consumption when interacting with children and adolescents. In these cases, even more so than in the previous section, you must take full responsibility for your behavior at all times.
- If adolescents or young adults consume alcohol or cannabis and their consumption appears to be getting out of control, intervene or involve a responsible adult.
- Discuss your own sexuality and that of children and adolescents or drug use only if it serves an educational purpose and provides factual information about your individual lifestyle and sexual identity. It’s best to ask a responsible adult before sharing too much information or asking insensitive questions.
- Refrain from any inappropriate contact with minors:
- Romantic relationships and sexual contact (§ 174, paras. 1, 2, & 3 of the German Criminal Code [StGB])
- If you are 18 or older, you may not spend the night in the same room or tent with children or adolescents without taking special precautions. This does not apply to parents and their own children.
- Never lock doors to rooms where adults and children or adolescents are present together. This does not apply to parents and their own children.
- All behaviors listed in the two preceding sections, “Permitted” and “Prohibited Behavior,” also apply to your interactions with children and adolescents.
- The regulations for the protection of minors apply at all our events. If you are unsure what this means, you can read about it here: Youth Protection Act of July 23, 2002 (Federal Law Gazette I, p. 2730), last amended by Article 12 of the Act of May 6, 2024 (Federal Law Gazette 2024 I No. 149).