Principles for a safer space

UN Youth of Finland follows principles for a safer space in its activities and events. In accordance with the principles below, we take responsibility for difficult situations, we strive to create a safe and respectful space for everyone, and we address unpleasant, disruptive, or offensive behavior. The concept of a safer space comes from subcultural and alternative cultures, especially events of sexual and gender minorities. Due to that, the principles on this page are not invented by UN Youth of Finland, but we have collected them from various sources, for example, the principles for a safer space of Ruskeat Tytöt ry.

There is a harassment liaison at each of our events. If you come across any kind of harassing or abusive behavior, please contact directly to the harassment liaison in the events or send an email to hairinta@yknuoret.fi . Conversations with the harassment liaison are always confidential. If necessary, the person guilty of harassment or abusive behavior will be removed from the event.

We ask everyone who participates in the activities and events of UN Youth of Finland to respect and act in accordance with the principles for a safer space below:

    • Don’t assume. It is natural to make assumptions about other people, but we strive to be aware of our own presuppositions and we are open to different kinds of topics and people. We don’t define experiences on behalf of anyone else and we don’t generalize our own experiences to others. We don’t make assumptions about anyone’s sexuality, gender, nationality, religion, values, socioeconomic background, health, appearance or ability to function, but we respect everyone’s right to self-determination.
    • Don’t degrade. We don’t degrade or embarrass anyone by their externals. We treat others as we would like to be treated.
    • Don’t reproduce. We don’t reproduce racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, or ableist stereotypes in our speech, actions, or behavior. We strive to use language that doesn’t exclude anyone.
    • Intervene. If we witness any offensive behavior, we will not remain silent, but we will intervene.
    • Respect. We respect other people’s physical, mental, and emotional personal space. We remember that we cannot know the boundaries of one without asking from them and we don’t touch the other without permission. If necessary, we ask for space for ourselves as well.
    • Give space. We make sure everyone has space to participate in the discussion and we treat sensitive topics with respect.
    • Give and receive feedback. Everyone is allowed to give appropriate and constructive feedback from inappropriate treatment. If someone gives you feedback on your actions, please listen to the feedback provider. We are open to the feedback we receive and we will take the feedback into account in our own activities in the future.
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