SIBECOL (Iberian Society of Ecology), AIL (Iberian Society of Limnology) and the organizing committee of the meeting are particularly aware of the value of diversity. We know that only by promoting diversity within our members and persons participating in meetings we can generate a sufficiently enriching and inclusive environment for ground breaking ideas and innovative projects to emerge, to promote scientific research, to advance our knowledge of Ecology and provide answers to the current ecological crisis. 

The knowledge society needs a diverse and tolerant academic space, compromised with social justice. Our motivation is to help people dedicated to Ecology to develop professionally regardless their ethnicity/racial identity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical or mental difference, national origin, religion, and any other identity aspect without being subject to discrimination or abuse. 

Consequently, SIBECOL, AIL and the organizing committee want to ensure as far as possible that the 2^nd SIBECOL/AIL Meeting is a safe and inclusive space where all participants feel comfortable and free to share their research, learn from others, and interact with other attendees. For this reason, we will not tolerate any kind of harassment, discrimination, abuse, or degrading treatment.

Each member and all persons (including volunteers, guests, exhibitors, and sponsors) participating in the 2^nd SIBECOL/AIL Meeting and in any associated workshops and activities are bound by this Code of Conduct and should: 

• Conduct themselves responsibly, with integrity in an objective, professional and lawful manner

• Communicate scientific methods and knowledge in a clear, honest, professional, and unbiased manner. Respect internationally accepted principles of research integrity. 

• Avoid negative comments in relation to a person’s ethnicity/racial identity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical or mental difference, national origin, religion, family status, socio-economic status, age, physical appearance, or level of employment and educational background. Discrimination based on any of these, or other less apparent differences, will not be tolerated and respect should be showed in any interaction with colleagues, staff, and guests of the meeting. Avoid the use of any aspect of a person’s identity to humiliate or discredit them. Respect person’s chosen name and pronouns.

• Respect personal boundaries. Boundaries set by others must be always observed Harassment of any kind, including unwelcome sexual advances and requests for sexual favors, sexually graphic statements, or any other verbal or physical abuse will not be tolerated. 

• Avoid negative disparaging comments in relation to another person’s career or work, person’s lifestyle, diet, or health. Online harassment on any platform or social network (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) and offensive or discriminatory jokes or teasing and deliberate bullying or threats will not be tolerated. 

• Avoid continuous interruptions in talks or conversations with colleagues 

Those attendees to the 2^nd SIBECOL/AIL meeting who harass, abuse, discriminate or degrade any other attendee in the terms described above, will be reprimanded according to the seriousness of the offense. It can involve exclusion without reimbursement from the meeting, veto to register for any future activity organized by SIBECOL or membership of SIBECOL may be revoked. If needed, the offense will be reported to the police. 

To report abusive behaviour during the 2^nd SIBECOL/AIL meeting or for any questions related to this issue, please contact in person or via email one of the following contact persons:

Contact 1: Anna Lupon; e-mail: anna.lupon@gmail.com

Contact 2: Pablo Rodríguez Lozano; e-mail: pablo.rodriguez@uib.es

Contact 3: João Pestana (organising committee) ; email: jpestana@ua.pt

We are aware that it is not easy to report harassment, discrimination, or degrading treatment from another person, especially when there is a power relationship, you have a precarious work situation or an unconsolidated academic career. However, this step is absolutely needed to be able to eradicate non-tolerable attitudes in our work environment. SIBECOL and organizers of the meeting are committed to assisting the reporting person and keeping them anonymous. Information will be confidential, and it will not be shared with anyone else without prior agreement with the affected person. If, to carry out any action, SIBECOL board or the meeting Organizing Committee need to be informed, this step will not be taken without prior consensus of the affected person.

SIBECOL, AIL and the organizing committee hope that all attendees follow this code of conduct, and everybody enjoy the 2^nd SIBECOL/AIL Meeting in Aveiro.