top of page

AVA International is building convening spaces for animal and vegan advocates from all across the world.

 

We deeply care about our global movement so our thoughts on safety reflect not only our procedural responsibilities, but our care for protecting the dignity, inclusion, and trust of all who gather. This document supports our role as logistical facilitators and movement stewards. 

 

Animals need us to be healthy, equipped, and united. 

 

We mean it when we say: Together, #WeAreAVA
 

Purpose of this Safety Policy
 

The purpose of this policy is ensuring the well-being of all attendees, speakers, partners, staff, and volunteers. It serves as a guiding framework that reflects our Organizational Principles and helps us make thoughtful decisions. It outlines key considerations for preventing and responding to harm, disruptions, or emergencies by
 

  • Fostering a safe and inclusive environment by including policies against harassment, discrimination, and other disruptive behaviors to ensure everyone feels welcome

  • Supporting preparedness with Guiding Questions for navigating complex or controversial decisions 

  • Clarifying roles and responsibilities (and limits thereof) of AVA event organizers
     

For any detailed outline of processes and procedures, please refer to our Code of Conduct.

 

Definition of Safety

 

AVA International strives to create events that prioritize all forms of safety of all attendees, staff, and volunteers. We take intentional action to foster a space that is free from harassment, harm, and violence. Harmful actions by an individual or group that threaten the safety of others will be addressed with care and integrity.

 

We recognize we cannot name every form of harm that may arise and that safety is not experienced equally. For many, particularly those from BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Global South, or historically oppressed communities, safety may include the ability to speak openly about systemic injustice and lived experience without fear of being silenced or dismissed.

 

Our Approach 

 

We prioritize creating a reasonably safe event space over being an investigative body as we are not specialized in conducting formal investigations, and they fall outside of the scope of our expertise. However, we do have a responsibility to make principled decisions, and we do have a Harassment Investigation Policy & Procedure, which establishes our approach to assessing situations where harm may have occurred. 

 

The Code of Conduct is our primary reference point and all participants are expected to read and abide by it. 

 

Community Health Lead

 

At each event, we assign Community Health Leads to serve as a point of contact for safety-related concerns. They are trusted individuals responsible for listening to concerns, offering support, and helping navigate next steps in line with the Code of Conduct. 
 

Participants can report an issue to them anonymously or with identifying information, and all information will be treated with care and discretion. They will listen without judgment, ensure the immediate safety of those involved, and assess the best course of action in alignment with our Code of Conduct and Organizational Principles.
 

Depending on the situation, possible responses may include: checking in with the person impacted, speaking with those involved, setting boundaries or expectations for participation, or if necessary, asking someone to leave the event. We do not involve law enforcement except as a last resort or in the case of immediate emergency.
 

We aim to handle all reports in a way that is fair and responsive to the needs of those impacted—while recognizing the limitations of our role as an event organizer rather than a formal investigative or judicial body.

 

Our Values & Principles

 

AVA International is not affiliated with any political party, single ideology, or religious institution. We recognize that movements for human and animal advocacy are often interconnected, and we honor the diversity of perspectives within our community. 

 

We believe that animal liberation is most possible in open, just, and participatory societies.
 

Our work is grounded in the belief that movements for animals thrive where civil liberties, human rights, freedom of expression, and the ability to organize are protected. As an international and nonpartisan organization, we welcome a wide spectrum of political, religious, and cultural worldviews.

 

In curating our events and partnerships, we partner with individuals and organizations that support the foundational conditions for advocacy—including freedom of thought, open communication, and respect for others’ rights to be heard and safe. We may decline to platform those whose actions or ideologies undermine these conditions. These decisions are about upholding the integrity of the spaces we convene and ensuring they remain open, respectful, and conducive to meaningful progress for animals and all beings.

​

We do not tolerate discrimination or oppression in any form. Our commitment to veganism is rooted in opposing harm to all sentient beings, including human beings. Our goal is to create event spaces that are safe, inclusive, and reflective of justice and compassion for all.

​

Our decision-making is primarily content-based, meaning we focus on what a speaker will present or what a sponsor or exhibitor will showcase at our event. However, in some cases, we may also take into account broader context, including patterns of behavior or systemic considerations, if they present a clear concern.

Additionally, we differentiate between different levels of engagement with AVA, such as attending, speaking, exhibiting, and sponsoring, each of which carries different levels of influence and visibility.

​

​

Our decisions are guided by AVA International’s Organizational Principles

​

1. Transparency & Accountability

We operate with transparency and accountability in our decision-making. 

We understand that transparency builds trust across communities, which is why our decision-making processes are available publicly. We strive for clarity in our reasoning by regularly re-evaluating our processes. In order to ensure fairness and accessibility, we actively seek feedback and hold ourselves accountable to those impacted by our work.

In safety-related decisions, this means we clearly communicate how and why decisions are made, and invite feedback from those affected.

​

2. Trust & Respect 

We cultivate trust and respect across differences. 

As a global organization, we recognize that cultural norms and communication styles vary between communities. We approach all AVA’s collaborators, participants, and stakeholders with kindness, curiosity, and humility, assuming good intent while making space for dialogue and accountability. We acknowledge that trust is built through actions, not just words. In safety-related decisions, this means we listen actively, hold space for different perspectives, and respond with empathy and care.

​

3. Justice & Inclusion

We are committed to justice and inclusion. We understand that the movement for animals does not exist in isolation. Our commitment to animal and vegan advocacy is rooted in opposing harm to all sentient beings, including human beings. Just as we reject the exploitation and suffering of nonhuman animals, we stand against all forms of human oppression. We strive to create spaces that are safe, inclusive, and aligned with the values of justice and compassion for everyone.

We prioritize the needs and voices of those most impacted by harm, especially those from historically marginalized communities.
 

4. Hospitality & Empowerment

We create welcoming and empowering spaces. 

Hospitality is a deeply rooted value across cultures, and we embrace it as part of our approach to organizing events. We design our spaces in ways that ensure all attendees—especially those who have faced exclusion—feel a sense of belonging. We commit to listening to and amplifying voices that have been historically marginalized. We recognize that meaningful conversations and transformative ideas only arise when people feel safe, heard, and valued.  

In safety-related decisions, this means we set and uphold clear boundaries so that everyone can feel confident participating fully.

​

5. Courage & Care

We act with courage and care. 

Building a global movement for animals requires both boldness and humility. We challenge harmful systems and narratives while remaining mindful and realistic of the complexities of cultural, economic, and social contexts. We hold space for discomfort, learning, and growth, understanding that real change often requires both patience and urgency.

In safety-related decisions, this means we are willing to make difficult choices to uphold our values, even when they are uncomfortable.
 

contribute to the movement for animal justice with trust, dignity, and safety.

If you have thoughts, feedback, or concerns, we invite you to reach out in person, via email, through our About page, or social channels. We are here, and we are listening.

Together, #WeAreAVA

Guiding Questions for Safety Decision-Making

 

Questions that guide our decision-making include but are not limited to:

​

Alignment with Our Principles

  • Are we prioritizing the well-being of attendees, speakers, partners, staff, and volunteers?

  • Are we making space for different perspectives on safety while maintaining our principles?

  • Are we assuming good intent while also holding space for accountability when harm occurs?

  • Does this decision help build trust in our ability to provide a safe and inclusive space?

  • Are we balancing hospitality with necessary boundaries to maintain a safe space?

  • Are we willing to take difficult but necessary actions to protect the well-being of our community? That being said, we also don’t want to shy away from complicated issues and difficult questions. This implies that sometimes, e.g. there might be controversial or polarizing speakers on our stages – if we believe they are positively adding to a specific aspect of our program in unique ways, bringing a diversity of experience and perspectives.
     

Assessing Potential Harm 

  • Does an individual’s or organization’s participation actively support, uplift, or advance the movement for animal and vegan advocacy?

  • Is the message or brand they would present in line with AVA’s principles?

  • Has an individual or organization been the subject of credible allegations of harm, such as harassment, abuse, or discrimination?

  • Are the concerns about them recent or part of a longer history? How does the timing impact our decision?

  • Could their presence create a safety risk for others, either physically or emotionally?

  • Are we considering historical harm, systemic oppression, and patterns of behavior when assessing safety risks?

  • Is there anything in their proposed participation (e.g., content, materials, or conduct) that may promote or normalize violence, discrimination, exclusion, or harm?
     

Context and Power Dynamics

  • Are there power imbalances at play (e.g., control of movement funds, organizational hierarchy) that may affect how harm is reported, understood, or addressed?

  • Have the concerns been raised by individuals from historically marginalized communities, and are we giving appropriate weight to their experiences?

  • Have we sought input from those most impacted by potential safety concerns?

  • If harm occurred, was accountability taken, and was the response adequate?

  • Is an individual or organization willing to engage in good faith with our values and Code of Conduct?

  • Are we proactively creating an environment where people feel empowered to report concerns?
    ​

Decision-Making and Implementation

  • What precedent does our decision set for future cases?

  • Are we applying these safety considerations consistently across different situations and individuals?

  • If we choose to exclude an individual or organization, how do we communicate that decision in a way that is clear, fair, and rooted in our values?

  • If we choose to include them, how do we ensure safety for all attendees and acknowledge concerns appropriately?

  • Are we approaching safety with both urgency and thoughtfulness, avoiding impulsive reactions while still acting decisively when needed?

 

This document is not a set of rigid rules. We know that safety is complex, context-specific, and deeply personal. We will continue learning, listening, and evolving our approach as our community grows and as we gain experience.

Above all, our priority is to ensure that AVA spaces are welcoming, empowering, and inclusive — where everyone can contribute to the movement for animal justice with trust, dignity, and safety.
 

If you have thoughts, feedback, or concerns, we invite you to reach out in person, via email (info@avasummit.com), through our Contact page, or social channels (linked below in footer). We are here, and we are listening.

Together, #WeAreAVA

guidingquestions
bottom of page