Preamble

The Association is a community built on trust, mutual respect, and professional integrity. This Code of Ethics sets forth the principles and rules that each member commits to follow.

1. Core Principles
   • Integrity: Act honestly, transparently, and in good faith in all professional dealings.
   • Respect: Respect each other’s clients, employees, and reputations.
   • Collaboration: Seek cooperation over competition, fostering trust across our network.
   • Professionalism: Represent the Association with dignity and maintain a positive industry image.
   • Fair Employment: Comply with labour laws and ensure fair, lawful, and dignified working conditions.
   • Inclusion & Safety: Foster harassment-free environments at all events, physical and virtual.
   • Sustainability: Commit to continuous environmental improvement and responsible practices.
2. Member Obligations
   • 2.1 Business Conduct
     • Pay annual membership fees on time.
     • Respect confidential exchanges within the Association.
     • Not bypass members to work directly with their clients or partners.
     • Not recruit or “poach” employees or contractors from other members.
     • Fulfil commitments made to other members in good faith.
     • Limit quote requests to three per project.
     • Avoid behaviour damaging the Association’s reputation.
   • 2.2 Labour Standards
     • Absolute prohibition on child labour and forced labour under any circumstances.
     • Comply with all applicable labour and employment laws in jurisdictions where operating.
     • Ensure fair, non-exploitative compensation consistent with local legal requirements, collective agreements, and industry standards.
     • Document the legal basis for wage and social security treatment when sending personnel across borders, and provide documentation if investigated.
     • Treat employees with dignity and respect; ensure timely and lawful wage payment.
   • 2.3 Safe & Inclusive Events
     • Prohibit harassment (sexual, verbal, online), hate speech, unwanted attention, or targeted abuse at all IFES events.
     • Enforce removal and sanctions where necessary.
     • Ensure participants comply with event staff instructions.
   • 2.4 Sustainability
     • Measure and report event carbon footprint where feasible.
     • Apply waste-minimisation best practices.
     • Require major suppliers to meet sustainability standards or demonstrate improvement plans.
   • 2.5 Data Protection & Technology
     • Comply with data protection laws (GDPR, local regulations) when collecting, storing, or sharing personal data.
     • Obtain consent for recordings, profiling, and analytics.
     • Ensure AI use for profiling, selection, or evaluation is transparent, auditable, and subject to human oversight.
3. Misconduct
   • Misconduct includes (but is not limited to): failure to pay fees; breach of confidentiality; client solicitation; staff poaching; reputation damage; failure to deliver; excessive quote requests; labour law violations; child or forced labour; harassment; data protection violations; unethical AI use; environmental negligence.
4. Complaints & Enforcement
   • 4.1 Reporting
     • Report breaches confidentially via IFES Management Office.
     • Reports logged and acknowledged within 5 business days.
     • Retaliation against whistleblowers is strictly prohibited.
   • 4.2 Past Presidents Council (PPC)
     • The PPC conducts investigations and provides findings within 30 calendar days where practicable.
     • Gathers evidence, assesses context, and recommends sanctions to the Board.
   • 4.3 Board Authority
     • The Board determines whether misconduct occurred and decides on sanctions based on PPC recommendations.
5. Sanctions
   • Sanctions may include: formal warning; mandatory corrective action; suspension of privileges; expulsion. Child labour, forced labour, harassment, and serious data breaches are treated with maximum severity.
6. Commitment
   • By signing this Code, each member confirms their commitment to these principles and acknowledges that breaches may result in disciplinary action, including removal from the Association.