Principles of a safer space
At the Helsinki Opera Summer Festival, we strive to create and maintain a safe and respectful environment for all participants. With these principles, we ensure that everyone can feel welcome, valued and safe during our event.
These principles help create an environment where festival participants can enjoy the event and feel safe. We are committed to continuous learning and development in implementing these principles.
The following principles guide our operations:
1. Respect others and embrace diversity.
Treat each individual with respect. We do not question anyone’s diversity, but rather value and celebrate it. We understand that diversity enriches both the event and the artistic expression.
2. Enable everyone to participate.
We ensure that everyone has the space and opportunity to participate in the festival. We actively listen and ensure that everyone's voice is heard and valued.
3. Respect the boundaries of others.
We do not harass anyone verbally, physically, or with our eyes. We respect the personal space of others and always ask for consent before engaging in physical contact or discussing personal matters. We are mindful of our own positions of power, which means consent is not always enough.
4. Avoid discrimination and assumptions.
We do not discriminate against anyone based on their characteristics or background. We do not make assumptions about others’ gender, sexuality, nationality, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic background, health, or ability to function. We are open, listen, and respect everyone’s self-expression, including pronouns and names.
5. Correct actions and address inappropriate behavior.
We are ready to correct our actions and learn from mistakes. If we encounter or witness inappropriate treatment or discrimination, we will contact the harassment contact person. We encourage everyone to contact the harassment contact person in uncomfortable situations.
6. Respect others’ boundaries.
We cannot know others’ boundaries without asking. We discuss them in advance and ask when we are unsure. We take responsibility for our own actions. No means no.
7. Don't comment or criticize others' bodies.
We avoid commenting on their bodies and refrain from making comments about others' portions or eating habits. Everyone's body and way of life are personal and deserve respect.
8. Respect diverse views and experiences.
We value the opinions, beliefs, and experiences of others. We do not ridicule, mock, or embarrass anyone through our words, behavior, or actions. We treat each individual with dignity and respect.
9. Responsibility for our actions.
We are aware that our actions affect other people, even if our intentions are good. We take responsibility for our own actions and strive to continuously improve our behavior and interaction skills.
10. Give space and respect privacy.
We ask that everyone give others space to participate in discussions and activities. We do not suppress the opinions of others and give space for others to speak. We respect the privacy of others and handle sensitive topics respectfully.
11. Intervene and report harassment.
We do not remain passive when we witness harassment. We offer support to those who are harassed and ask how we can help. We are not bystanders, but active participants in creating a safer environment.We respect the experience of every witness to harassment or discrimination.
Our principles are built with the help of following guidelines:
https://yhdenvertaisuus.fi/
https://eettinentaide.fi/
https://esiinnynedukseni.fi/