Wikimedia CH/Respectful behavior space policy

Friendly space policy of Wikimedia CH

1. Scope and purpose

Wikimedia CH (WMCH) organises activities in order to pursue its strategy;

All our activities are open to everyone, regardless of background and prior involvement, who wish to help us achieve this objective.

We expect participants to show friendliness and civility and we expect that volunteers and staff should be treated with courtesy. We are dedicated to provide a respectful, transparent, and harassment-free space in our events and these expectations are needed to ensure a pleasant environment for focused discussions where contributors engage respectfully.

The purpose of the Friendly Space Policy (FSP) is to ensure a safe and pleasant working environment, and to restore such an environment as quickly as possible after incidents.

The policy is applicable everywhere: during in person and online meetings, and on the platforms, sites and channels for which WMCH is responsible.

It must be clear to everyone how and to whom they can report a (suspected) violation of the FSP. That process must be clear and easily accessible. The options for appeals must also be clear.

The FSP should be consistent with the Wikimedia Universal Code of Conduct and the Enforcement Guidelines. Where relevant, the FSP will take into account the conventions of the Wikimedia projects as much as possible.

WMCH will be maximally transparent about the implementation of the FSP, but the privacy of those involved will always be paramount.

2. Basic rules underlying the Policy

The following are simplified and summarized elements to get a quick sense of what the Policy entails. However, it is highly recommended to read the full Policy for full understanding. The Policy is the reference.

2.1 Expected behaviour

Civility – Support a civil environment and do not harass others.
Identity – Do not attempt to impersonate another user or individual. Do not misrepresent your affiliation with any individual or entity.
Privacy – Respect the privacy.
Be open for all Wikimedians to participate (unless there are technical restrictions).

2.2 Prohibited behaviour

We do not tolerate harassment of contributors or any individual in any form and a disruptive or discriminatory behaviour which prevents others to participate in Wikimedia CH activities;
"Activities" include online and offline activities and include also activities connected with Wikimedia projects;
Online meetings need specific attention and the following behaviour are not allowed:
- not respecting the privacy request for people who want to participate only in audio and not video where the meeting has not been explicitly declared as a "videoconference";
- exclusion from an online meeting or limitation of their ability to participate without an explicit motivation;
- It is expected to support anyone technically for online meetings as far as possible. Technical limitations of the hardware or operating system cannot be easily overcome.

2.3 Responsibilities for organisers

Information on the Policy, and on how to report incidents, will be made available in an accessible manner on all platforms and channels managed by WMCH, and during all events and activities organised by WMCH;
Activity organisers are responsible for ensuring Wikimedia CH Policy is followed;
The Policy applies to all, including organisers;
Activity organisers are:
- Each staff member of Wikimedia CH;
- The board members of Wikimedia CH;
- Any additional person or persons delegated by the Executive Director or by the President to carry out actions pursuant to this Policy.

2.4 Notice and designated Policy contact person

At each event/activity, it will be clearly announced the event/activity is covered by the Policy, provided that Wikimedia CH has both authority and reasonable means to effect such posting;
At least one individual will be mandated to take all measures necessary to ensure enforcement of the Policy during the activity or event, or on the channel/platform (aka designated Policy contact person);
At each event/activity, it will be clearly announced who the Policy contact person is, and how they can be reached;
The following sample notice may be used as the notice regarding this policy at events:

Wikimedia CH is dedicated to provide a safe and friendly space for everyone, regardless of race, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, neurological status, disability, physical appearance, age, religion, or preferred free license (and not limited to those aspects).

We do not tolerate harassment during our activities/events. Harassment includes offensive comments related to any protected personal characteristic, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact. Participants asked to stop any harassing behaviour are expected to comply immediately. This applies to everyone, including event staff and organisers.

If you are concerned about the conduct of an individual, you may take action appropriate to the situation. This can include a private warning to the person concerned. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact the designated Policy contact person immediately to report the incident or for further reporting options. We value your attendance.

More information about the Wikimedia CH can be found here : https://w.wiki/Dfiq

2.5 Corrective actions

If someone is harassed, or notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, the correct behaviour is to contact the designed Policy contact person, immediately, or after the activity;
If the designed Policy contact person is concerned about the conduct of an individual, or receive a complaint, the designed Policy contact person should take action appropriate to the situation;
Violators will be asked to stop any harassing behaviour and are expected to comply immediately. In some cases this might be a private warning to the person concerned asking them to change their behaviour. In more serious cases it may be necessary to ask the person to leave;
Comments that violate expectations will be removed or even hidden (subject to feasibility);
As last solution, when an individual exhibits a pattern of unacceptable behaviour, or if they seek to participate for reasons other than the advancement of the association's objectives, then the designated Policy contact person should recommend to the Executive Director that that individual be excluded to attend Wikimedia CH events, to participate in Wikimedia CH programs, to receive funds from Wikimedia CH, or otherwise to make use of Wikimedia CH resources. Such exclusion will take effect pending a resolution of the board;
Any individual banned pursuant to this Policy shall be notified of such ban and can appeal of that decision.

3. The Friendly Space Policy (FSP)

Link to the full policy (temporary link)

The policy

applies on all platforms and channels operated by WMCH, and during all in person and virtual events and activities organised by WMCH;
applies to all attendees and participants, and to members, non-members, volunteers, board members and employees of WMCH alike;
gives examples of undesirable behaviour, but especially also examples of desired behaviour;
provides information on reporting possible violations;
identifies measures that WMCH can take to safeguard or restore a safe and enjoyable environment, in consultation with those involved;
acknowledges that (conflicts on) the Wikimedia projects can have an impact on WMCH activities, and offers tools to deal with this;
offers the possibility of appeal against decisions made by WMCH in the context of the Policy.

4. The enforcement and reporting protocol

Link to the protocol for enforcement and reporting : to be published soon

The protocole

is an elaboration of the FSP and outlines the frameworks for implementation and enforcement;
outlines how the FSP is communicated to participants of activities;
makes clear who within WMCH is responsible for implementing the FSP;
explains how people can report FSP violations and how such reports are investigated;
specifies what measures are possible if violations are found to have occurred;
how decisions made in the framework of the FSP can be appealed;
how WMCH reports on the implementation of the FSP.

5. Reporting a possible violation

Link to report a potential violation of the policy : Wikimedia CH/Friendly space policy/Report

You can make a report…

If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe due to the behaviour or language of another participant/attendee;
Generally, if you observe unacceptable behaviour or language during an event/activity or online;
You can also make a report if you yourself are not directly involved in a (possible) violation of the FSP, but have witnessed this;
You can report immediately (e.g. during an activity or event), but also after the event;

Please always make a report immediately if you think there is a gross or deliberate violation, a dangerous situation, or risk of repetition or escalation.

6. History

WMCH has had a Respectful Behaviour Space Policy since 2017. In 2025, this policy was thoroughly rewritten. Reasons were:

the creation and approval of the Wikimedia Universal Code of Conduct;
the growing attention within the movement for the well-being of groups that face social exclusion and discrimination;
the recognition that social media culture has contributed to increasingly harsh and confrontational communication styles, necessitating clearer guidelines for respectful interaction.

7. Questions

Please use the talk page for questions or comments about the FSP in general. Or contact Wikimedia CH.

To report a possible violation, please see I want to report.

Notes

This is an update version of the Friendly space policy (April 2025).