RESPONSIBILITY

Equality and Inclusion

Dialogia! Festival Association is guided by the principles of DEIB: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. These values form the foundation for trust, participation, and meaningful engagement. Everyone is welcome to participate as their authentic self in a safe and respectful environment.

We expect our collaborators and partners to be aware of and committed to these values in all forms of cooperation. Artistic programming and artist selection are curated with a strong commitment to equality, accessibility, and cultural diversity.

All employees, volunteers, and collaborators involved in Dialogia! Festival events are familiar with our DEIB-based principles and share responsibility for addressing inappropriate behaviour and reporting any actions that conflict with these values. This is supported through thorough orientation and training designed to prevent discrimination, exclusion, and other conduct that contradicts the association’s values.

Accessibility and Participation

One of the core goals of Dialogia! Festival is to promote cultural well-being, accessibility, and participation in the arts. We actively strive to provide diverse, low-threshold artistic and cultural experiences that are accessible to people of different ages, backgrounds, and communities.

Art and culture in diverse environments

In addition to traditional cultural venues, Dialogia! brings performances and artistic workshops to environments where arts experiences may not be regularly available. This allows people to engage with art and culture who might not otherwise participate in cultural events.

Multidisciplinary and multilingual experiences

The festival programme includes a variety of artistic forms such as dance, music, and spoken word, making the events accessible also to participants who do not speak Finnish. Dialogia! encourages intercultural dialogue and seeks to create opportunities for people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, particularly multicultural families, to enjoy and experience culture together.

Communication

Our communications are guided by transparency, openness, and accessibility. Information about events is published well in advance, typically at least six weeks before an event takes place.

Event information includes:

A clear description of the event
Intended audiences
Venue, date, and time
Accessibility information
Ticketing information, where applicable
Website and contact details
Information about the organizer
Contact information regarding special accessibility needs

Interactive Learning

Dialogia! Festival supports creative and participatory learning methods, including movement-based expression and dance. These approaches can engage children and young people for whom traditional forms of learning may not feel natural. Such activities strengthen participants’ sense of inclusion and provide opportunities for authentic self-expression in a safe environment.

Collaboration with local communities

Dialogia! actively collaborates with local schools, youth services, and community organizations to ensure that information about events reaches a broad range of audiences. Through these partnerships, we aim to make our activities accessible to as many people as possible.

Audience participation

Depending on the nature of the event and its target audience, Dialogia! organizes free workshops, artist talks, and other participatory activities. Audiences may be invited to write, draw, discuss artworks, make music, or engage in movement-based activities together with artists.

Participation is always voluntary. These activities support inclusion and strengthen the festival’s commitment to accessibility and community engagement.

PREVENTION OF INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR AND HARRASMENT

Dialogia! Festival Association maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy towards harassment, discrimination, and all forms of inappropriate behaviour. These principles help create a safe and respectful environment that supports participation and well-being for everyone involved.

Inappropriate behaviour

Inappropriate behaviour includes any conduct that negatively affects the atmosphere of a workplace, community, or event. This may include shouting, belittling others, persistent unjustified criticism, discrimination, racism, or personal attacks. Behaviour is considered inappropriate when it creates a hostile, intimidating, or disrespectful environment.

Harassment

Harassment includes sexual harassment, bullying, or any other inappropriate behaviour that violates a person's dignity and causes them to feel threatened, humiliated, or distressed.

Sexual harassment may be physical, such as unwanted touching, or verbal, such as inappropriate comments or suggestions. Indirect behaviour, including offensive gestures or the sharing of inappropriate material, may also constitute harassment.

When assessing harassment, the impact on the person experiencing the behaviour is of primary importance rather than solely the intention of the person responsible.

Reporting

If you experience or witness inappropriate behaviour or harassment during Dialogia! Festival activities or events, please contact:

Taina-Maaria Rautasuo
Secretary
dialogiafestivaali@gmail.com

All reports are handled confidentially and in accordance with the association’s equality and inclusion principles.

Actions and consequences

Possible actions include:

Confidential discussions with the designated contact person
Investigation of the situation
Removal from an event or activity
Termination of collaboration or membership in the association

All cases of harassment or serious inappropriate behaviour are addressed promptly and appropriately.

Education and Prevention

All members, volunteers, and collaborators are introduced to these principles and procedures.
These guidelines are shared with members and partners to ensure that everyone understands how to act in situations involving harassment or inappropriate behaviour.
The policy is reviewed annually and updated when necessary.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

Environmentally responsible event production

Dialogia! Festival is committed to minimizing the environmental impact of its activities.

Measures include:

Clear recycling and waste-management practices at all events
Opportunities for audiences to sort and recycle waste responsibly
Clear communication regarding sustainable practices at event venues

Procurement and Materials

Whenever possible, Dialogia! seeks to make responsible choices regarding materials, services, and procurement processes. We aim to reduce unnecessary consumption and encourage sustainable practices throughout our activities.

Responsibility plan updated: 30.4.2026

SAFER SPACE PRINCIPLES

Dialogia! Festival Association is committed to safer space principles in all of its events and activities. Our goal is to ensure that every participant, visitor, artist, and collaborator feels both physically and emotionally safe.

A safer space is an environment free from discrimination, harassment, prejudice, judgment, threatening behaviour, and harmful language. We strive to create a welcoming atmosphere where everyone is treated with respect and where each person is free to participate as their authentic self.

Our Principles

Openness and open-mindedness
Respect and kindness
Encouragement and inclusion
Listening to others and giving space for different voices
Acceptance of diversity
The right to one’s own identity
Respect for personal boundaries and bodily autonomy – everyone’s boundaries matter

We expect everyone to:

We expect all participants - visitors, performers, artists, volunteers, and staff - to commit to:

Respectful interaction and dialogue
Kindness and goodwill towards others
Avoiding prejudice and assumptions
Listening to others
Apologizing and forgiving when necessary
Maintaining zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination, bullying, ridicule, and intimidation

Any physical contact, sharing of personal information, or other forms of interaction require clear, voluntary, and ongoing consent. Always respect the boundaries of others.

If problems arise

If you experience or witness behaviour that violates these Safer Space Principles, please contact a member of staff or the designated contact person immediately. The association is committed to addressing situations in which these principles are not respected.

Contact person

Taina-Maaria Rautasuo
+358 400 804942

Shared responsibility

A safer space is created through shared 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 its events as accessible, inclusive, and barrier-free as possible.