RESPONSIBILITY
EQUALITY AND INCLUSION
Dialogia! Festival Association is guided by DEIB values - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. These principles form the foundation for trust and participation. Everyone is welcome to attend as their authentic self, in a safe environment. The association expects its partners to be aware of these values and to uphold them in all collaborations. Artist selections and event content are curated and implemented with a commitment to equality and cultural diversity.
At all Dialogia! events, staff are trained in DEIB-based practices and share responsibility for addressing any inappropriate or non-inclusive behavior, reporting it to the event organizers. This is supported by thorough orientation and training for all staff and volunteers, preventing actions that contradict the association’s values.
How does the association promote accessibility and participation?
A key goal of Dialogia! Festival is to enhance cultural well-being and promote accessible, inclusive experiences in the arts. The association actively seeks to provide diverse, low-threshold art and cultural experiences that reach participants of all ages and backgrounds.
Art in diverse environments for different audiences
In addition to traditional cultural venues, Dialogia! Festival brings performances and art workshops to spaces where art experiences are not regularly available. This allows people who might not otherwise attend cultural events to experience art and culture.
Multimodal and multilingual performances
The festival programme incorporates various forms of expression, such as dance, music, and spoken word, which are accessible even to non-Finnish-speaking participants. Dialogia! Festival encourages intercultural dialogue and makes cultural experiences available to different language groups, including multicultural families, thus supporting the ecosystem of cultural diversity.
Communication and transparency
All communication prioritizes openness, transparency, and accessibility. Event announcements are planned well in advance and published 1.5 months before the event. Information includes a clear description of the event, intended audience, venue and time, accessibility, ticketing (if applicable), website links, additional information, event organizer details, and contact information for special needs.
Interactive learning
Dialogia! Festival supports creative learning methods, such as body-based expression and dance, reaching children and young people for whom traditional learning methods may not be natural. This strengthens participants’ sense of inclusion and gives them the opportunity to express themselves freely and safely.
Collaboration with local partners
Dialogia! Festival actively collaborates with local schools, youth organizations, and community groups to ensure information about the association reaches diverse audiences. This ensures that as many residents as possible can participate in events and activities.
Audience participation
Depending on the event and target audience, free workshops and artist talks are offered. Audiences are encouraged to engage with artists in various ways, such as writing, drawing, discussing works, making music, or moving. Participation is always voluntary. These opportunities foster inclusion and reflect the festival’s commitment to accessibility and engagement.
PREVENTION OF INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR AND HARASSMENT
The organization maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy towards harassment, discrimination, and all forms of inappropriate behavior. These measures help create a safe and respectful environment that promotes participation and well-being for everyone.
Inappropriate Behavior
Any actions that are inappropriate and negatively affect the atmosphere of the workplace or community are considered inappropriate. This can include shouting, belittling, constant unfounded criticism, discrimination, racism, or personal derogation. Behavior is deemed inappropriate if it is clearly unacceptable and creates a negative environment.
Harassment
Harassment is legally defined and includes, for example, sexual harassment, bullying, or other inappropriate behavior that violates another person’s dignity and makes them feel threatened, humiliated, or distressed. Sexual harassment can be physical, such as unwanted touching, or verbal, such as inappropriate comments or suggestions. Indirect behavior, such as disturbing gestures or the distribution of materials, can also constitute harassment. Legally, harassment is assessed from the victim’s perspective: the key factor is the impact on the victim, not solely the perpetrator’s intent.
Reporting
If you experience or observe inappropriate behavior or harassment during the association’s activities or events, please contact:
Contact person: Taina-Maaria Rautasuo, Secretary
Email: dialogiafestivaali@gmail.com
Phone: +358 40 080 4924
The contact person is responsible for handling reports confidentially and acting in accordance with the values outlined in Dialogia! Festival Association’s equality and inclusion plan.
Actions and consequences
Discussions with the contact person
All cases of inappropriate behavior or harassment may result in removal from the association or the event/performance
Training and Prevention
All association members receive orientation on these practices and procedures. The plan is shared with all members and partners of Dialogia! Festival Association so that everyone involved in events is aware of its content and knows how to act in potential harassment situations.
The plan is reviewed at the annual meeting and updated as necessary.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
1.ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY EVENT PRACTICES
Clear recycling and waste management plans are implemented for all events. Audiences are always provided with the opportunity to recycle properly, and instructions are communicated clearly.
2. PROCUREMENT AND MATERIALS
Eco-friendly materials are prioritized, such as recycled paper and sustainable products, and partners are encouraged to follow the same principles.
Borrowed and reusable supplies: Events, productions, and performances aim to avoid single-use items, instead using materials that can be borrowed, reused, and recycled after use.
Promotion and advertising: Digital channels, such as social media, are preferred. Tools like Canva are used when necessary. Each event’s needs are assessed to minimize recyclable waste.
Local and sustainable providers are favored for procurement whenever possible.
3. SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION
Performers and partners are encouraged to use public transport, cycling, or walking, and shared transport options are offered where feasible.
4. MONITORING AND DEVELOPMENT
Feedback collection after events to evaluate environmental practices and improve processes.
Annual environmental reports to review activities and update the sustainability plan.
Dialogia! Festival Association responsibility plan – last updated 3 September 2025.
PRINCIPLES OF A SAFER SPACE
Dialogia! Festival association is committed to creating a safer space in all its events and activities. Our aim is to ensure that everyone attending or participating feels both physically and mentally safe.
A safer space means an environment free from prejudice, discrimination, harassment, judgment, threatening actions, or harmful language. It is an inclusive space where everyone can participate as their authentic selves.
Our Core Principles
Openness & Open-mindedness
Respect & Kindness
Encouragement & Inclusion
Listening & Allowing space for others
Acceptance of differences
The right to self-determination of identity
Inviolability – everyone’s boundaries matter
Commitments we ask from everyone
We expect all participants – visitors, performers, and staff – to commit to:
Respectful dialogue and interaction
Goodwill and kindness
Avoiding assumptions
Listening to others
Apologizing and forgiving when needed
Zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination, bullying, mocking, or intimidation
All physical contact, sharing of personal information, or other forms of interaction require clear, voluntary, and ongoing consent. Always respect people’s boundaries.
If problems arise
If you experience or witness a violation of these safer space principles, please contact a staff member or the designated contact person immediately. The association is committed to intervening in any situation where the principles are not respected.
Contact person
Taina-Maaria Rautasuo
+358 400 804942
Shared responsibility
Creating a safer space is a collective responsibility. By committing to these principles, we build an environment where everyone can feel welcome, respected, and safe. Dialogia! Festival association also strives to make all events as accessible and inclusive as possible for everyone.
