Objective

PUAN is committed to organize, host, and/or sponsor events whereby everyone can participate in an inclusive, respectful, and safe environment.

PUAN is guided by the highest ethical and professional standards, and all participants of events are expected to behave with integrity and respect towards other attendees and those involved with organizing such an event.

Applicability

The Code of Conduct applies to all events or interactions organized, hosted, or sponsored by PUAN, USEFP, or the U.S. Mission, which shall include, among other activities, conferences, seminars, meetings, assemblies, workshops, exhibits, and events organized by the recipients of small grant awards. The Code of Conduct shall also apply to digital platforms managed by PUAN, USEFP, or the U.S. Mission.

The purview of Code of Conduct is extended to all participants of aforementioned events, including Members of PUAN and Partner(s) i.e. a person who is invited by PUAN, the U.S. Mission, or USEFP to attend the event or is involved in organizing the event.

The Code of Conduct is not prescriptive. It supplements the application of other domestic legal framework or other relevant policies that regulate the subject matter.

Prohibited Conduct

1. Comments that are offensive or unwelcome regarding a person’s national origin, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, body, disability, or appearance, including epithets, slurs, and negative stereotyping;

1. Any nonverbal harassment, which includes distribution, display, or discussion of any written or graphic material that ridicules, denigrates, insults, belittles, or shows hostility, aversion, or disrespect toward an individual or group because of national origin, race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, appearance, disability, sexual identity, or marital status;

1. Any unwelcoming sexual advance, request for sexual favors, stalking or cyber stalking, or other verbal, visual, or written communication or physical conduct of a sexual nature or sexually demeaning attitudes, including any gestures or expression conveying derogatory connotation causing interference with work or program performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment, or the attempt to punish the Complainant for refusal to comply to such a request; or

1. Discrimination on basis of gender, which may or may not be sexual in nature, but which may embody a discriminatory and prejudicial mind set or notion, resulting in discriminatory behavior on basis of gender against the Complainant.
2. Any misconduct that negatively impacts the interests of the U.S. Mission, USEFP or PUAN;
3. Failure to comply with mandatory financial reporting requirements for PUAN activities, PUAN grants, and all other opportunities including travel reimbursements claims;
4. Using one’s position in PUAN for personal gain;
5. The unauthorized use of the PUAN logo or the creation of unofficial or parallel social media accounts claiming to represent PUAN

Harassment or Code of Conduct Violations

A participant, who has been subject to harassment or any other prohibitory conduct at an event organized, hosted, or sponsored by PUAN or its member(s), shall report to the Conduct Committee constituted by PUAN immediately. The Conduct Committee will promptly initiate complaint resolution process in accordance with the Anti-Harassment and Code of Conduct Policies. Complaints may be filed at through members’ alumni portals.

USEFP and the U.S. Mission may, at their discretion, enforce the Anti-Harassment Policy and the Code of Conduct through the Conduct Committee processes even in instances when a complaint by a PUAN member or partner is not received.   

The proceedings of the Conduct Committee, including minutes, recordings and dialogues, will be kept confidential except where the law requires otherwise.

The Conduct Committee, after concluding its inquiry proceedings, shall give its recommendations to the competent authority for taking appropriate action, which includes, but are not limited to:

1. Censure;
2. Temporary disbarment from attending PUAN events;
3. Removal from roll of membership;
4. Cancellation of PUAN Grant and direction to return the disbursed funds.

In case the Conduct Committee concludes that the complaint was false and frivolous, it may recommend taking appropriate action against the complainant to include the remedies listed above.

A party can waive its right of personal appearance and submit its written submissions or defense.

Any threat, intimidation or retaliation towards the complainant is prohibited. Any such act may lead to initiating a disciplining proceeding against such person.

The PUAN Anti-Harassment Policy can be found here: https://puan.pk.