Membership Policies

Member Code of Conduct

Date of Last Revision: 28 January, 2010

The ISSAT Community of Practice (CoP) website is a great place to engage with fellow security and justice reform practitioners to share expertise, lessons learned, contacts and other practical information that can help you to increase your knowledge, solve problems and get better results. Please help us to ensure a pleasant and productive experience for all CoP members by adhering to the following principles regarding the appropriate use of CoP information and general conduct within the community.

  1. Welcome and respect the diverse opinions of other members
     We believe that diversity with mutual respect strengthens the community. We encourage discussions, debates and even arguments, but please share your thoughts politely and constructively.
  2. Exercise discretion when posting content that might be considered sensitive
     While we endeavour to make the CoP website as safe an environment as possible for the open exchange of information, we cannot guarantee that information you share will remain within the boundaries of the community. To protect yourself and others, do not post sensitive information that could result in harm to you or to any other party should it be seen by someone outside of the CoP.
  3. Focus on what can be learned from security and justice reform challenges rather than who can be blamed for them
     We believe that one of the greatest sources of learning is honest reflection and dialogue on the behaviours, approaches, events and other factors that may be inhibiting the success of security and justice reform programmes. When commenting on these factors, focus on the information required for learning while avoiding attributions or accusations that implicate other parties.
  4. Pay attention to the tone you use when you post comments
     Since members cannot see your facial expressions or hear your tone of voice, your words alone can easily be misunderstood. For example, sarcastic comments intended to be humorous can often be perceived as harsh, purposeful criticism.
  5. Remember that members may not be communicating in their first language
     The CoP membership is a highly diverse, multi-national group. When interpreting comments from CoP members, remember that many are not communicating in their first language. Should a comment seem out of place or confusing, seek to understand the author’s intent and, if necessary, ask for clarification before drawing conclusions.
  6. Take responsibility for what you say
     You are responsible for the content of any messages you post on the CoP website. We encourage you to use your real name and professional affiliation when you participate in the community. Whether you are networking online or in real life, you will want to know whom you are meeting.
  7. Exercise your own judgement when evaluating advice and other content from the CoP
     Content on the CoP website is based largely upon the experience and perceptions of authors both within and outside of the CoP. It is also constantly being updated to include the latest learning. When evaluating this content, consider the experience and credibility of the author, the date it was published and how it relates to your own experience before drawing conclusions for your own thinking and approach. Also remember that opinions expressed by members of the CoP on the website are not necessarily shared or endorsed by ISSAT.

TERMS OF USE:

  1. By submitting information on the CoP, you grant to ISSAT a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, irrevocable, sub-licenseable, non-exclusive right to use, reproduce, display, modify, distribute, and create derivative works based upon (in any format whatsoever) the submitted information for any purpose.
  2. Members may not use the site to market or promote any commercial entity, or its products or services, in which they have any beneficiary stake, unless sanctioned by ISSAT. Members may, however, share information about commercial products or services, in which they have no beneficiary stake, provided those products or services meet a genuine need expressed by one or more of the other members.
  3. Members are also solely responsible for ensuring that they do not act in any manner which constitutes, or forms a part of a course of conduct amounting to, a violation of any state, federal, international or other applicable law. This includes, but is not limited to, posting of content in violation of the copyright on that content.
  4. Content that is abusive, vulgar, racist, sexist, slanderous, harassing, misleading, or otherwise objectionable will not be tolerated and will be removed. Any form of direct or indirect personal attack will also not be tolerated, nor will any comment that calls for unlawful or illegal behaviour or that might result in harm to others.

TERMINATION:
 ISSAT may, in its sole discretion, terminate or suspend your access to all or part of the site, including, but not limited to, any discussion forums on its site, for any reason, including without limitation, breach of the Terms of Use. In the event that membership is terminated, the restrictions regarding posted information appearing on the site, and the representations and warranties, indemnities, and limitations of liabilities set forth in this membership will survive termination. In the event that you are unsatisfied with the services provided by ISSAT, your sole remedy is to terminate this membership.

PRIVACY POLICY

ISSAT will not sell any personal information about members to any third parties. ISSAT may use account information generically in order to revise its services or present findings from the use of its services.