Code of Conduct

MCN Global Leadership Summit | Lagos, Nigeria | March 2027

Administered by Millennium Campus Network (MCN)

1. INTRODUCTION

The Millennium Campus Network (MCN), in collaboration with Lagos State University (LASU), is committed to creating a safe, respectful, inclusive, and welcoming environment for everyone participating in the MCN Global Leadership Summit 2027. The Summit brings together young leaders, students, educators, professionals, speakers, partners, and other stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to connect, exchange ideas, and collaborate towards meaningful impact.

We believe that every participant deserves to engage, contribute, and participate without fear of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or retaliation. This Code of Conduct outlines the standards of behaviour expected of everyone involved in the Summit and establishes the procedures for reporting and addressing conduct that violates these standards.

2. SCOPE AND APPLICATION

This Code of Conduct applies to all individuals participating in or representing the Summit, including:

Registered attendees and participants.
Speakers, facilitators, moderators, and panellists.
MCN and LASU team members and representatives.
Volunteers, contractors, vendors, and service providers.
Sponsors, institutional partners, and invited guests.
Media representatives and other authorised event personnel.

The policy applies throughout the Summit, including all official sessions, workshops, networking events, social gatherings, side events, and other activities organised as part of the Summit.

It also applies to virtual participation, online discussions, event communication channels, and interactions connected to the Summit, including conduct that occurs outside the physical venue but is directly related to participation in the event.

3. POLICY STATEMENT

MCN and LASU do not tolerate discrimination, harassment, bullying, intimidation, sexual harassment, retaliation, or any behaviour that creates an unsafe, hostile, or exclusionary environment. All participants are expected to treat one another with dignity, respect, fairness, and consideration, regardless of their background, identity, position, or level of participation.

Any behaviour that violates this Code of Conduct will be taken seriously and may result in appropriate corrective or disciplinary action, including removal from the event, withdrawal of participation privileges, or restrictions on future participation in MCN activities, as appropriate.

4. PROHIBITED CONDUCT

The following behaviours are strictly prohibited throughout the Summit:

4.1. Harassment

Any unwelcome conduct, whether verbal, physical, written, or visual, that demeans, threatens, intimidates, or creates an offensive or hostile environment for another individual. This includes offensive comments, jokes, gestures, slurs, insults, or actions targeting an individual's race, colour, age, gender, religion or creed, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

4.2 Sexual Harassment

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, or other verbal, physical, or visual conduct of a sexual nature.

Examples include:

Unwanted physical contact, touching, or advances.
Inappropriate sexual comments, jokes, gestures, or propositions.
Sharing sexually explicit or inappropriate images, messages, or materials without consent.
Repeated unwanted requests for dates or sexual attention.
Using professional, institutional, or event-related influence to pressure another individual into sexual interaction.

4.3 Bullying and Intimidation

Any deliberate, repeated, or persistent behaviour intended to intimidate, humiliate, threaten, belittle, or undermine another participant. This includes verbal abuse, threats, aggressive behaviour, deliberate exclusion, and misuse of authority or influence to intimidate others.

4.4 Discrimination

Unfair treatment, exclusion, or disadvantage directed at an individual or group based on personal characteristics or identity, including race, colour, religion or creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, or disability.

4.5 Violence and Threatening Behaviour

Physical assault, threats of violence, deliberate intimidation, or any behaviour that puts another participant's safety or wellbeing at risk.

4.6 Disruptive or Inappropriate Conduct

Behaviour that intentionally disrupts Summit activities, sessions, or discussions, including persistent interruptions, abusive language, deliberate interference with presentations, or refusal to comply with reasonable instructions from authorised event personnel.

4.7 Unauthorised Recording and Misuse of Personal Information

Recording, photographing, sharing, or distributing private conversations, personal information, or restricted event content without appropriate permission. Participants must respect the privacy, consent, and personal boundaries of others throughout the Summit.

5. EXPECTED PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITIES

Everyone participating in the Summit is responsible for contributing to a respectful and inclusive environment.

Participants are expected to:

Treat all attendees, speakers, organisers, volunteers, and partners with dignity and respect.
Respect differences in opinions, experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives.
Engage in constructive discussions and disagreements without resorting to personal attacks or intimidation.
Respect personal boundaries and obtain consent before physical contact, photography, or other interactions where permission is appropriate.
Follow venue guidelines, safety procedures, and reasonable instructions from event organisers.
Use appropriate and respectful language in all in-person and virtual interactions.
Report incidents of harassment, discrimination, intimidation, or other violations of this Code of Conduct.
Cooperate honestly and respectfully with any investigation into reported incidents.

6. REPORTING AND RESPONSE

MCN is committed to providing accessible channels through which participants can report incidents or raise concerns about conduct that violates this policy.

Reporting an Incident: Anyone who experiences, witnesses, or becomes aware of conduct that may violate this Code of Conduct is encouraged to report it as soon as possible.

Reports may be made to:

A member of the MCN Summit Organising Team.
An authorised event safety or safeguarding representative.
The designated MCN reporting email: communitysafety@mcnpartners.org

Reports should include as much relevant information as possible, including:

A description of the incident or concern.
The date, time, and location of the incident.
The individuals involved, where known.
Names of any witnesses, where applicable.
Any relevant supporting information or evidence.

Participants may report incidents even if they are unsure whether the conduct constitutes a formal violation of this policy.

Confidentiality: All reports will be handled with sensitivity and confidentiality to the extent reasonably possible and permitted by law. Information will only be shared with individuals who need to know for the purposes of reviewing, investigating, or resolving the report.

Investigation and Resolution: Upon receiving a report, the MCN Summit Organising Team, or its designated representatives, will take appropriate steps to assess the concern and determine the necessary response.

Where an investigation is required:

The report will be reviewed promptly and handled fairly and objectively.
Relevant individuals may be contacted and given an opportunity to provide information.
Appropriate steps will be taken to protect the safety and wellbeing of affected participants while the matter is reviewed.
The Organising Team will determine appropriate corrective action based on the nature and circumstances of the incident.
All participants are expected to cooperate honestly with any investigation.

7. CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLATIONS

Any individual found to have violated this Code of Conduct may be subject to appropriate action, depending on the severity and circumstances of the incident.

Such action may include:

A verbal or written warning.
A request to stop the behaviour or leave a particular session or activity.
Removal from the Summit venue or virtual event space.
Revocation of event registration or participation privileges without a refund, where permitted by applicable law.
Notification to the individual's affiliated institution or organisation, where appropriate and lawful.
Restrictions on participation in future MCN programmes or events.
Referral to relevant authorities where the conduct may constitute a criminal offence or present an immediate safety concern.

MCN and LASU reserve the right to take appropriate action to protect participants and maintain a safe event environment.

8. ANTI-RETALIATION

MCN and LASU do not permit retaliation against anyone who reports an incident in good faith, raises a concern, supports another participant in making a report, or cooperates with an investigation. Retaliation includes threats, intimidation, exclusion, harassment, or any adverse action taken against an individual because they reported or participated in the resolution of a concern. Anyone who experiences or witnesses retaliation should report it through the same reporting channels outlined in this policy. Any confirmed retaliation may result in further disciplinary action.

9. IMMEDIATE SAFETY CONCERNS

Where an incident presents an immediate risk to the safety or wellbeing of any participant, attendees should promptly notify the nearest event organiser, security personnel, or appropriate emergency response service.

The Summit Organising Team may take immediate protective measures, including separating individuals involved, restricting access to certain activities, or contacting relevant authorities where necessary.

10. POLICY REVIEW AND COMMITMENT

MCN and LASU reserve the right to review and update this Code of Conduct as necessary to ensure its effectiveness and alignment with applicable laws, event requirements, and organisational standards. By participating in the MCN Global Leadership Summit 2027, all attendees are expected to uphold these standards and contribute to an environment where everyone can connect, learn, lead, and collaborate with dignity and respect. For questions, concerns, or reports relating to this policy, please contact:

MCN Community Safety Team

Email: communitysafety@mcnpartners.org

CODE OF CONDUCT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

By registering for and participating in the MCN Global Leadership Summit 2027, I acknowledge that I have read and understood the Summit Code of Conduct.

I agree to uphold the standards outlined in this policy, treat all participants with dignity and respect, and contribute to creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment throughout the Summit.

I understand that violations of this Code of Conduct may result in appropriate action, including removal from the event or restrictions on future participation in MCN activities.

By completing my event registration, I confirm my agreement to comply with this Code of Conduct.