Values and Principles

APC staff members need to consider values and principles in making decisions about travel either individually or as a team, and the following values and principles can be used as a basis to help us make decisions together with member and partner organisations we work with[1].

• in persons convenings - The benefits of being able to spend time together face to face are enormous. The comfort, strength and solidarity that human physical connections bring are sorely needed in responding to the pain, stress, fatigue and anxiety people face in work and life caused by the increased instability in the world.
  
  
• hybrid convenings offer a rich and blended experience of virtual and face to face opportunities for engagement. When possible and safe, APC encourage this movement towards hybrid/face to face gatherings provided we can do so being mindful of the broader interests of all of those affected by the decision.
  
  
• we consider very carefully the cost-benefit of participating in all convenings, including our own hosted ones, not only in light of the ongoing health pandemic, but recalling our commitment to be more considerate of our environment - our role in causing damage to the environment through unwarranted travel - and the impact of our ‘sector’ - the ICT and internet sector – on the environment. This includes considering online and hybrid convening options as alternatives to face to face ones.
  
  
• We have a duty of care to ourselves, participants, resource people, communities where we host convenings and our friends and families at home. The safety and security of out participants must be the top priority. We are mindful of our responsibility to care for ourselves and those we may pass infectious illnesses to, through travel.
  
  
• we share our experience, guidance notes, policies and practices, with our member and partner organisations to support them in their decision making processes around hosting convenings, participation and travel. We do this in solidarity and towards deepening understanding of and building a culture of collective care, but also being mindful and respectful of their decisions.
  
  
• in any decision we make, we are mindful of the increased discrimination, xenophobia, racism and paranoia that is ever-present and how this is impacting people differently depending on local contexts, and public and global health policies and practices.
  
  
• in any decision we make, we are mindful of not excluding those who are unable to travel or where travel is not possible, we are also mindful of those who consider it unsafe to travel
  
  
• APC does not make decisions about travel for member and partner organisations in relation to convenings they host, but does encourage staff working with member and partner organisations to consider this manual and associated policies and guides in decisions made about travel and event hosting.

[1] From APC Policy developed in 2021 as a response to COVID-19 aftermath