Code of Conduct of Worldcon Bid Nuremberg and other events organized or co-hosted by the Worldcon Bid Nuremberg team.

This CoC is based on the Metropolcon CoC with added sections that are important for a Worldcon and that are related to Nuremberg’s history.

Wherever “Worldcon Nuremberg” is used, it refers to the Worldcon Nuremberg Bid and the convention if the bid wins the right to host Worldcon 2028. The right of the bid, and convention, to control who is a supporter or member is not limited by this code of conduct. We may deny or rescind membership for any reason at any time.

By participating in and/or interacting with any/all Worldcon Nuremberg activities, regardless of occasion, venue or format, you agree that you have carefully read and agreed to this Code of Conduct and are aware that this Code applies to all of those spaces.

Preface

Worldcon is not a conference like any other. It is made possible by volunteers, not paid staff. As a result, it is an event created by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts, and we all share the responsibility to make it a welcoming and inclusive space.

One of the main reasons an event like Worldcon can take place is the shared vision that unites our community: that other worlds, alternative timelines, and distant cultures are not only possible, but always worth contemplating. This exchange of thought about different perspectives, mentalities, and alternative ways of life lies at the heart of our community and is a fundamental part of our event. At the same time, diversity of thought requires mutual respect. Science fiction literature has taught us that even small misunderstandings can spark galactic wars, cause endless grief, or even bring about the end of the universe. In this spirit, we kindly ask you to keep two essential principles in mind: first, that each of us is a unique individual with our own view of the world; and second, that everyone deserves to be treated with respect.

We believe that the preamble of the German Chaos Computer Club (CCC) expresses it perfectly: “[It] is a galactic community of living beings, independent of age, gender, ancestry or social status.” At Worldcon Nuremberg 2028, we strive for the same ideal.

This Code of Conduct is a living document and as such may be continuously expanded as needed.

Welcome to Worldcon Nuremberg.

We want everyone to feel safe, respected, and welcome. This Code of Conduct sets clear expectations and gives the team a basis for action when boundaries are crossed.

Scope: This Code of Conduct applies to all participants, members, speakers, partners, and volunteers — on-site, online, and across all official or con-affiliated spaces, channels, and events.

All participants, speakers, attendees, sponsors, cooperation partners, and volunteers of our convention must agree to the following code of conduct. The organizers will enforce this code throughout the event. We expect cooperation from all participants and a willingness to ensure a safe environment for all.

Everything else is based on the following basic consensus concerning communication and interaction: Communication should be appreciative, level-headed and non-violent, without personal attacks, devaluation, prejudice, and insinuations. This applies both to interactions with each other and to conversations about third parties. Everyone deserves and receives the respect that we wish to receive from others.

In short

Our convention is dedicated to a harassment-free, inclusive convention experience for all, regardless of gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, ethnicity, religion, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination against participants in any form. Sexualized/sexist language and images are unwelcome at the con. This includes talks, workshops, parties, Discord, and other online media. Con participants who violate these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the convention at the discretion of the con organizers.

Principle: Ask first / Consent.

Ask before you move into someone’s personal space, touch someone, take identifiable photos/videos, or initiate interaction (including in cosplay contexts). “No” or “not now” must be respected; repeated asking is unwelcome.

In more detail

Harassment and unwanted behavior

We consider harassment and unwanted behavior to include (but not be limited to) the following:

offensive comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, technology choices;
intimidation, stalking, or persecution (online and offline);
unwanted physical contact or proximity;
unwanted (sexual) attention (e.g., staring, watching, unwanted compliments, comments such as “why don’t you smile more,” unwanted contact online, etc.);
comments and statements intended to belittle, offend, or cause discomfort;
deliberate misgendering (addressing someone with an incorrect gender/pronoun) or deliberate deadnaming (addressing someone with a name they used before transitioning);
photographing or filming or otherwise recording individuals close up without their consent;
assuming cosplaying/costuming as consent to contact or interaction;
persistent disruption of conversations, lectures, or other events;
sexually offensive, disturbing, derogatory, unwanted, or otherwise inappropriate (e.g., glorification of violence, racism, anti-Semitism, Holocaust denial, conspiracy narratives, etc.) images and videos in public and private spaces at our events;
wearing costumes, clothing, accessories, jewelry, badges, symbols, signs, or other items that are inappropriate (above criteria); refusing to remove or cover such items (please be aware of sections 86 and 86a of the German Criminal Code: the use of symbols of unconstitutional organizations is prohibited in Germany);
making gestures, facial expressions, or sounds that are deemed inappropriate (see above);
microaggressions in any form;
spreading misinformation, conspiracy narratives, etc., when used to target, harass, intimidate, or demean others;
intentionally distorting statements of other participants; framing with malicious intent;
advocating or encouraging any of the above behaviors.

Inappropriate Online Conduct

Worldcon Nuremberg will never make the decision to block an individual from our social media feeds lightly. However, there are instances where this action is necessary to provide a safe and supportive work environment for our volunteers or to ensure that virtual spaces remain safe and welcoming. Individuals may be subjected to consequences for:

violating any element of this Code of Conduct while using social media platforms;
patterns of repeated disruptive or malicious engagement with our accounts and/or other users in virtual spaces;
repeated attempts to use social media as a substitute for formal reporting channels once those channels are available.

A place with history: the former Nazi Party Rally Grounds (Reichsparteitagsgelände)

Nuremberg carries a particular historical responsibility. Parts of the city – especially the former Nazi Party Rally Grounds- were sites of National Socialist propaganda and are connected to persecution, violence, and immense suffering. Many people experience such places as deeply distressing.

We therefore ask for extra care and respect in the following ways:

no disrespectful or provocative cosplay/outfits at the Rally Grounds (e.g., “triumph-style” posing, mockery, edgy re-enactment). Ambiguous photos can be harmful and may be shared out of context;
at the same time, the area is part of everyday public life today and is used for other purposes as well. This is not about blanket bans or avoiding the site, but about situational awareness and dignity;
in general: keep the history of the site and the many victims in mind in all actions.

As with all Code of Conduct issues, the organizers may ask for changes in behavior and, if necessary, take further action.

Photography, filming, recording (practical rules)

Please ask for consent before taking identifiable photos/videos of people, especially close-ups and cosplay.
No “sneaking”: no close-up recording without consent.
In program items: no disruptive setups/movement; follow moderator/team instructions.
Official recordings will be marked where possible. If you do not want to be recorded, contact the team.
There will be no photography or recording in quiet, safe, and affiliation spaces for privacy reasons.

Props/Weapon Props

Prop weapons, replicas, and similar items are subject to the props and weapons policy which will be published in 2027 and venue rules.

Alcohol Use

We expect participants to consume alcoholic beverages responsibly.

What we do not treat as Code of Conduct violations

The Worldcon Nuremberg team will not respond to complaints involving:

complaints that attempt to reframe criticism of prejudice or privilege as “discrimination”;
complaints about appropriate boundary-setting communication such as “leave me alone,” “go away,” or “I’m not discussing this with you”;
complaints about refusal to explain or debate social justice concepts;
complaints about communicating in a tone one does not find congenial (tone policing);
complaints about criticism of racist, sexist, cissexist, or otherwise discriminatory behavior or attitudes.

Possible actions (Consequences)

Participants and attendees who are asked to stop harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. Depending on severity and context, actions against those who violate the Code of Conduct may include:

a conversation and a clear request to change behavior;
a warning;
removal from a session or location;
temporary or permanent restrictions (including online spaces);
revocation of badge/membership and removal from the event;
banning from future events;
contacting venue security or law enforcement if necessary.

Reporting

The email address specially set up for confidential messages is: coc@nuremberg2028.de

Incoming emails will be read and processed by the executive board until further notice; as soon as our Listener team is in place, the Listeners will get access to the mailbox and respond to reports. These will be treated as strictly confidential.

At in-person events we will additionally assign responsibility for receiving Code of Conduct complaints to an appropriate representative(s) of the Worldcon Nuremberg team.

What happens after a report is made

Our primary reporting method is via email. Once a report is submitted, our Listener Team will respond as soon as possible. The team may contact the person to gain a better understanding of the issue and what the person would like to do next. The Listener Team will use their discretion based on the content, context, and requests expressed in the email.

The Listener Team is a group of individuals whose role is to receive reports of potential violations of the Code of Conduct. Depending on the wishes of the person raising the issue, they may escalate the matter appropriately, discuss it in complete confidence, and/or act as mediators.

It is important to us that no one is asked to confront anyone or reveal their identity, and we will do our best to protect the identity of those involved when taking action as a result of a report. Details of the complaint will only be shared with the members of the team dealing with the complaint. We will keep the complainant informed of the progress we are making and of any action we are taking. We will also consider the views of those affected when deciding on these actions.

The Worldcon Nuremberg team has the right to take any action necessary to make our real and virtual spaces and our events welcoming to all.

Discord-specific CoC

The following Code of Conduct is specifically designed for participating in our Discord server. It has to be approved upon joining it.

Welcome!

This is a place for civilised, focused discussions, questions and suggestions around the Nuremberg 2028 WorldCon Bid.

Please choose a **nickname** on this server including enough information to recognise you and your role. Max. one emoji please—if any at all.

You can **set your server nickname** by typing /nick YourNewNickname.

We expect all members to remember that tone can be difficult to convey with text, so please reflect in what you are saying and how it may affect other people.

We do not support or tolerate harassment. If there are problems please feel free to contact a member of the Code of Conduct Team, or a Server Admin (@Chairs and Admins).

To ease the discussions, allow us all a 48 hour response window, except if matters are urgent.

Please do not swamp channels with links, avoid being too verbose and stay on topic.

No age-restricted or obscene content. This includes text, images or links featuring nudity, sex, hard violence or other disturbing graphic content.

It’s obvious that there must not be links to any pirated content.

Once you have agreed to the Code of Conduct and set your Discord name accordingly, you can attract the attention of an admin in the #welcome channel. They will give you further access to the server.

Please post a short introduction about who you are and what your role with the convention is in the #introduce-yourself channel.

Let’s build a wonderful community 🙂