Updated in February 2026.
These guidelines guide participants in all our activities as well as at events organized by Svenska Bildningsförbundet (SBF). Svenska Bildningsförbundet includes Tankesmedjan Agenda, Ledarskapsakademin, Liberal Praktik, Kompetens och Samhälle, and the guidelines therefore also apply to all events organized by these entities, both physical and digital. The guidelines are also followed in our publications and in other material and content that we publish.
At SBF’s events, a safe and inclusive atmosphere shall prevail. We are committed to ensuring that our activities are free from all forms of discrimination, racism, bullying, and harassment, and we take active measures to create safer spaces.
These guidelines do not under any circumstances replace applicable legislation, but serve as support and complement in situations where legislation does not clearly define codes of conduct.
All participants in SBF’s activities must, in connection with registration, commit to following these guidelines.
As a participant in SBF’s events and activities, each individual commits to following our principles for safer spaces:
We
– give everyone the opportunity to speak and be heard
– use language that is understandable to all participants
– respect others’ experiences and self-identification
– do not generalize our own experiences to apply to others
– do not make assumptions about others’ experiences, life situations, or identities
– do not disturb others verbally or through physical contact
– give space to the person speaking and do not initiate side conversations
– do not speak negatively about people who are present or absent
– share responsibility for creating a safer and more respectful atmosphere
We also expect participants in our events and activities to use their own names and provide accurate contact information when registering.
To support and assist participants, SBF has appointed support persons. These individuals can be contacted with a low threshold if someone feels they have been subjected to discrimination, harassment, or inappropriate behavior. Support persons provide assistance in handling the matter and in discussing possible further measures.
Support persons are bound by confidentiality and will only take further action with the consent of, and in consultation with, the person who has made contact or submitted a report. They can be contacted during the event or afterwards. At larger events (over 100 participants), separate support persons are appointed.
SBF’s support persons are Ted Urho and Pia Gästrin.
Contact details of support persons:
Pia Gästrin, pia.gastrin@bildningsforbundet.fi, tel. +358 40 508 6943
Ted Urho, ted.urho@agenda.fi, tel. +358 50 544 7730
Anyone who feels they have been subjected to discrimination, harassment, or other inappropriate behavior, or that these guidelines have been violated at an SBF event or within our activities, may contact SBF’s support persons (see above). All contacts and reports are handled confidentially, and further measures are taken only in consultation with the person who made the report.
Participants are also encouraged to intervene or contact the organizer or SBF’s support persons if they observe or experience someone violating the guidelines.
Persons who violate SBF’s guidelines may be given a warning or be banned from SBF’s events (see procedure below).
SBF may, when necessary, exchange information with its member organizations regarding cases of harassment and inappropriate behavior. Bans or other sanctions imposed by a member organization may also be applied within SBF.
Support persons report all contacts and reports to the Director. Cases are handled confidentially.
Serious or repeated violations are reported by the Director to the Board, which decides on possible sanctions.
Order of sanctions:
a) notification and verbal warning to the person concerned (always applied)
b) written notification and notice of possible ban, in cases of repeated incidents involving the same person
c) exclusion from all events for 6 or 12 months
The person who has been reported has the right to present their response verbally or in writing before a decision is made.
If a support person is the subject of a report or there is a conflict of interest, they must immediately withdraw from handling the case. SBF will promptly appoint an alternative support person or external contact to support the reporting individual. SBF ensures confidentiality and protection against retaliation for all parties throughout the process.
If the Director is the subject of a report, the report is made to the Chair of the Board.
If a Board member is the subject of a report, the report is made to the Director.
These guidelines are updated continuously as needed, and all participants are responsible for following the current version.
Why does SBF have guidelines for participation in events?
A large part of Svenska Bildningsförbundet’s work involves bringing together different people around various issues. To create safer spaces at our events, we have established common rules in advance.
Why do I need to accept SBF’s guidelines to participate in an event?
For common rules to work, it is important that everyone is aware of them in advance. Therefore, we ask you to read the guidelines beforehand and agree to respect and follow them.