IBBE is committed to providing an environment in which every individual is able to participate with dignity, safety, and mutual respect. These Guidelines establish the standards applicable to all IBBE events and are intended to ensure that every participant is afforded an equal opportunity to contribute without fear of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or unreasonable interference.
This article provides a summary of the principal provisions of the Guidelines. The complete Guidelines are available here and shall prevail in the event of any inconsistency between this summary and the complete document.
The guiding principle governing every IBBE event is straightforward:
Any conduct that improves the experience of the community without diminishing another person's dignity, safety, privacy, autonomy, or lawful freedom is encouraged. Conduct that produces the opposite effect is inconsistent with these Guidelines and may result in appropriate action by the IBBE team.
Attendance at an IBBE event constitutes acceptance of these Guidelines. Every participant, speaker, volunteer, venue representative, sponsor representative, guest, contractor, and member of the organizing team is subject to these standards without exception. No individual shall receive preferential treatment or be exempted from compliance by reason of their position, professional status, reputation, financial standing, social influence, caste, race, religion, ethnicity, nationality, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, political belief, or any other personal characteristic.
Event schedules are fixed. Sessions shall commence at the published time irrespective of attendance levels, and scheduled timings shall not be modified except where required by law or where extraordinary circumstances make continuation impossible. Respect for those who arrive on time is considered a fundamental obligation.
Privacy shall be respected at all times. No person shall photograph, record, livestream, or otherwise capture another individual through audio, video, or photographic means without that individual's prior and explicit consent. In the absence of such consent, the default assumption shall be that permission has not been granted.
Every participant is expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with respectful dialogue. Curiosity shall be valued above certainty, and disagreement shall address ideas rather than individuals. Personal attacks, intimidation, ridicule, or conduct intended to silence another participant are inconsistent with these Guidelines. Where a discussion becomes unreasonably heated, any participant may request that the discussion be paused. An IBBE representative may moderate, redirect, suspend, or terminate any discussion where such intervention is considered necessary to preserve a respectful environment.
Participants are expected to exercise reasonable care toward the venue and shared facilities. Individuals shall leave the premises in a condition that is at least as clean as it was upon arrival. Any safety concern, operational issue, or opportunity for improvement should be reported promptly to an IBBE representative.
Speakers are invited for the purpose of facilitating discussion rather than establishing authority. A speaker shall not be regarded as superior to any participant and shall not receive privileges beyond those reasonably necessary to fulfill their role. The purpose of a presentation is to encourage thoughtful discussion, critical thinking, and practical learning rather than personal recognition.
Every proposed session shall be accompanied by a written summary submitted to the IBBE team before the event. The purpose of this requirement is to enable adequate preparation, participant briefing, and alignment with the objectives of the event. Speakers are expected to remain present for the duration of the discussion associated with their session unless released by the IBBE team due to exceptional circumstances.
Speakers shall not use an IBBE event to advertise, promote, recruit for, solicit support for, or otherwise advance personal or commercial interests. References to products, services, organizations, or personal ventures shall be made only where directly relevant to the educational purpose of the discussion and shall not constitute promotion.
Where speakers draw upon personal experiences, those experiences should be presented solely to illustrate principles, lessons, or practical insights capable of benefiting participants. Excessive emphasis upon personal achievements, status, recognition, or individual success is inconsistent with the educational purpose of the event.
Speakers shall distinguish factual statements from personal opinions wherever reasonably possible and shall acknowledge uncertainty where appropriate. They are expected to participate in discussions as contributors rather than final authorities and shall give reasonable opportunity for participants to question, challenge, and discuss the ideas presented.
IBBE recognizes the principle of User Sovereignty. Subject only to applicable law, academic integrity requirements, institutional obligations, and legitimate security considerations, individuals retain authority over their own participation. Accordingly, speakers may decline participation in activities that are not essential to the responsibilities they have agreed to undertake. Likewise, no speaker shall pressure any participant to disclose personal information. Where an individual indicates that they prefer not to answer a question, that decision shall be respected immediately and without further inquiry.
Participants share responsibility for maintaining a respectful discussion environment. Every individual shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to speak. Interrupting another participant, deliberately monopolizing discussion, or engaging in disruptive conduct that materially interferes with another person's opportunity to contribute is prohibited. Participants should make reasonable efforts to keep their contributions concise in the interest of equitable participation.
Participants are expected to listen with the intention of understanding the views expressed by others before responding. Questions should be asked in good faith and with genuine curiosity rather than hostility or personal criticism. Personal stories shared during discussions shall be treated with appropriate respect and shall not be disclosed outside the event without the consent of the individual concerned.
Mobile devices should be maintained in silent or vibration mode during sessions. Individuals who must answer a telephone call should leave the discussion area before doing so in order to minimize disruption to other participants.
IBBE recognizes that learning frequently involves uncertainty. Participants shall not be criticized for acknowledging that they do not know the answer to a question or that they are continuing to develop their understanding of a subject. Constructive inquiry is encouraged in preference to dismissive disagreement.
IBBE maintains a policy of zero tolerance toward discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or hateful conduct. Racism, caste based discrimination, religious hatred, antisemitism, Islamophobia, sexism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, threats, bullying, harassment, or any comparable conduct directed toward an individual or group is strictly prohibited. These provisions apply equally to participants, speakers, volunteers, venue representatives, organizers, sponsors, contractors, and guests. Violations may result in immediate removal from the event together with any additional action considered appropriate by the IBBE team.
Venue providers are expected to maintain facilities that meet reasonable standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and safety. Drinking water shall be made available without charge and shall be suitable for consumption. Where wet towels are provided, they shall be hygienic and appropriately sanitized. Waste disposal facilities shall be maintained in accessible and clean locations.
Venue personnel shall communicate operational matters through the designated IBBE representative rather than addressing speakers or participants directly during event activities, except where immediate action is necessary to prevent injury, comply with law, or address an emergency. Alterations to room layout, lighting, temperature, or similar environmental conditions shall not be made without prior consultation with the designated IBBE representative. Venue specific policies shall likewise be communicated through the IBBE team to ensure consistency and clarity.
These Guidelines are mandatory and are not advisory in nature. IBBE reserves the right to interpret, apply, and enforce these provisions in a manner consistent with the objectives of the event. Failure to comply may result in warnings, removal from a session, removal from the event, restriction from future participation, or any other reasonable measure considered necessary by the IBBE team. Enforcement decisions shall be made without regard to an individual's influence, profession, public profile, financial status, caste, race, religion, nationality, gender, sexuality, disability, or any other protected or non protected characteristic.
By maintaining these standards, IBBE seeks to provide an environment in which discussion remains respectful, participation remains equitable, and every individual is able to engage with confidence. We appreciate the cooperation of every person who chooses to participate and look forward to welcoming you to our events.
