As Global Shapers, we have the fortune of participating in a community that many before us have worked hard to create. It is our responsibility to uphold our Charter.
Our Charter outlines the standards that all members and hubs are responsible to uphold. It includes best practices identified by our members since our community was created in 2011. By joining the Global Shapers Community, all members agree to live up to our shared values:
- Passion – As Global Shapers, we channel our passion into action. We apply the community’s principles in our work with others and continuously seek to learn and grow.
- Integrity – As Global Shapers, we demonstrate integrity by not speaking about others in disparaging ways. We avoid conflicts of interest and we take responsibility for our actions.
- Service – As Global Shapers, we practice service by striving to understand the needs of our communities and collaborating with local stakeholders to co-create solutions.
- Cooperation – As Global Shapers, we cooperate by working with others to achieve common goals. We embrace diversity and differing ideas to make informed decisions.
- Commitment – As Global Shapers, we are committed to fulfilling our obligations. We strive to do our best and deliver results. We are action-oriented and impact-driven.
As Global Shapers, we apply these values in all our interactions with others and we work hard to create a culture of Responsible Behaviour locally and globally.
Nevertheless, there may be incidents that arise which go against the spirit of our community. This guide outlines the difference between Improper Conduct and Hub Disagreements, as well as pathways to hold members accountable and achieve hub consensus.
Improper Conduct
In the Global Shapers Community, we do not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind. This extends to all World Economic Forum and Global Shapers Community events, as well as local hub activities. By becoming a Global Shaper, members commit to ensure that our community remains free from unwelcome, intimidating, offensive, or improper conduct. The Global Shapers Community specifically prohibits:
- Offensive or abusive actions, including physical violence, stalking, bullying, or belittling, to achieve a specific aim – such as influencing a hub member to leave the community.
- Offensive or abusive comments, including jokes, about age, gender, national origin, race, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, income, political beliefs, or other differences.
- Unwelcome verbal or physical sexual advances or sexual harassment that have been perceived as improper by the targeted person and/or discouraged by the targeted person.
- Conduct that has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating environment including, using hierarchical authority, threats, or fear of retaliation against others.
- Online bullying or harassment, including making or reposting contentious, libelous, defamatory or derogatory comments or statements on social media or other platforms.
- Spreading malicious rumors or gossip to exclude, isolate members, or for any other reason.
Membership Cancellation
If these principles are violated and the safety of members is compromised, individual memberships may be cancelled by hub Curators or by Global Shapers Headquarters.
- If Responsible Behaviour is not upheld as per our Charter and the safety of hub members is compromised, Curatorships should cancel individual memberships at the local level immediately. The respective member must be informed about the decision and their ability to appeal by contacting Global Shapers Headquarters at globalshapers@weforum.org.
- For a violation for which the hub's Curatorship does not deem to warrant direct exclusion of the individual from the hub, a formal warning to the individual may be considered. The warning will be issued by the hub, and be flagged to Global Shapers Headquarters.
- The Head of the Global Shapers Community can cancel individual memberships at their sole discretion, should our Charter not be upheld. If there is sufficient rationale, a cancellation may be made immediately, without notice, and the outcome final.
If a member witnesses improper conduct or is a victim of harassment, Global Shapers can contact Global Shapers Headquarters by email via globalshapers@weforum.org.
- Retaliation or bullying of a member who has reported improper conduct or harassment will lead to responsive action, up to and including membership cancellation.
- The privacy of all parties involved must be upheld. No reported information will be shared.
Hub Disagreements
Disagreements are a normal part of the change making process. It is the responsibility of hubs to resolve conflicts locally. Each hub should have an impartial, and if necessary confidential, resolution mechanism in place. Consider appointing a committee to work with the Curatorship. The best resolutions are co-designed and endorsed by a majority of members.
Local Resolution
When a disagreement occurs between hub members, the Curatorship should:
- Either hold individual meetings with disagreeing members or a collective hub meeting with all members to enable Global Shapers to share their opinions and positions openly.
- Once priorities are identified, brainstorm possible steps to reach agreement that are in the best interests of the hub. Identify process improvements and change local guidelines.
- If a hub cannot come to a collective agreement, define possible solutions or scenarios – and put it to a vote. Conduct the vote openly and transparently and listen to the majority.
- Disagreeing members are responsible for proposing possible solutions. Members do not try to sway others; they uphold Responsible Behaviour as outlined in our Charter.
Mediation Support
If a conflict or disagreement cannot be resolved at the hub level – hubs may wish to identify an impartial mediator to help find a way forward:
- Hubs can ask a Community Champion, Community Manager or Alumni to mediate conflicts. Impartial mediators should be agreed upon by a majority of members.
- In some cases, mediators should be a neutral third party external to the hub to help disputants come to a consensus. Consider local actors or non-profit organizations.
Further Escalation
If long-term disagreements prevent hubs from achieving their goals, the Head of the Global Shapers Community may pursue hub closure. The Head of the Global Shapers Community has the sole discretion to close a hub immediately. Members will be notified by email.
Depending on the ability of hubs to amend their actions and create a culture of Responsible Behaviour as per our Charter – the Head of the Global Shapers Community may consider placing hubs under temporary review (minimum 2 and maximum 6 months). If amends are not made within the review period, the Head of the Global Shapers Community will close the hub.