Global Code of Conduct & Ethics
Effective Date: August 24, 2026 Last Updated: August 23, 2026
Applicability: This Code of Conduct applies to all participants in Global Youth Congress (GYC) programs, including online courses, virtual competitions, regional live events, and international travel programs. Acceptance of this Code is a mandatory condition of registration. For international travel programs, this Code and the GYC Travel Terms of Service — the travel agreement delivered directly to each family, distinct from the program Terms of Service published on this website — incorporate and cross-reference each other and are both binding; together with the price letter, the commitment letter, and the Privacy Policy they form the agreement governing participation. In this Code, "student" and "participant" mean the registered student participant; "staff" means GYC personnel; "educator" and "chaperone" mean the adults accredited under Section 4.6.
1. Our Core Philosophy: The Global Winning Spirit
At the Global Youth Congress, we believe that how you compete and collaborate is just as important as the results you achieve. Every student is expected to embody our Global Winning Spirit, defined by five pillars:
1.1. Dynamic Leadership: Taking initiative and guiding others with empathy.
1.2. Fairness Mastery: Respecting rules, judges, and opponents with absolute integrity.
1.3. Multicultural Integration: Actively seeking to learn from and connect with diverse cultures and viewpoints.
1.4. Caring Spirit: Looking out for the well-being of peers and the community.
1.5. Faithful Courage: Standing by values and overcoming obstacles with resilience.
2. General Professional Expectations
2.1. The English Language Policy
2.1.1. The Rule: English is the official language of the Global Youth Congress. Participants must speak English during all official events, workshops, competition sessions, and mixed-group social activities. This is an act of inclusion, ensuring no one feels isolated by a language barrier.
2.1.2. Enforcement: An accidental lapse is corrected with a reminder. Deliberate or repeated refusal to use English during official activities after a reminder is a conduct violation subject to Section 6.
2.2. Professionalism, Punctuality & Participation
2.2.1. Time Management: "Early is on time, on time is late." Participants must be present and ready for all scheduled sessions 5–10 minutes prior to the start time.
2.2.2. Attire (Live Events): Students must adhere to the specific dress code of the day (e.g., Western Business Attire for presentations). At religious or cultural sites, students must follow the dress and behavior standards of the site as directed by staff.
2.2.3. Attire (Online Events): Students must appear on camera dressed appropriately for a classroom setting (no pajamas, appropriate tops).
2.2.4. Digital Distractions: During sessions (online or live), personal devices may be used only for the task at hand. Scrolling social media or gaming during workshops is prohibited.
2.2.5. Full Participation: Participation in all scheduled program activities is mandatory. A student may be excused only by the accompanying educator or GYC staff for health or safeguarding reasons.
2.3. Identification & Security
2.3.1. Live Events: Official GYC Badges/Credentials must be visible at all times. Sharing, swapping, or counterfeiting badges is strictly prohibited and grounds for immediate dismissal.
2.3.2. Online Events: Students must use their real legal names (or school-verified preferred names) on virtual platforms to ensure verifiable attendance.
3. Academic Integrity, IP & Responsible AI
As an organization dedicated to innovation, we embrace technology—but never at the cost of human critical thinking.
3.1. Fair Use of Artificial Intelligence
3.1.1. Green Light (Allowed): Using AI to brainstorm, structure ideas, analyze data sets, challenge your arguments (Socratic method), or create visual prototypes (labeled as AI).
3.1.2. Red Light (Prohibited): Using AI to write your final scripts, essays, or speeches. Outsourcing decision-making to AI. Presenting AI-generated work as your own.
3.1.3. "Substantial Transformation" Rule: Any output generated by AI must be substantially transformed by human effort. Submitting raw or slightly modified AI text is considered plagiarism.
3.2. Plagiarism & Intellectual Property (IP)
3.2.1. All work presented—whether a speech, a business plan, or a video—must be the original work of the student team.
3.2.2. Copyright & Trademark: The infringement, misappropriation, or unauthorized use of third-party copyrights, trademarks, or trade dress is strictly prohibited.
4. Safety, Boundaries & Safeguarding
4.1. Zero Tolerance for Harassment, Abuse & Molestation
4.1.1. GYC maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy for any form of abuse, molestation, bullying, harassment, or discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, or disability. This applies to verbal and physical interactions at live events and to digital interactions (chat logs, social media comments, Discords, WhatsApp groups).
4.1.2. Non-Retaliation: Any student who retaliates against another for reporting a violation will face immediate disciplinary action equal to or greater than the original offense.
4.2. Physical, Verbal & Rooming Boundaries (Live Programs)
4.2.1. Physical & Verbal Boundaries: Inappropriate physical contact (including, but not limited to, lap sitting, prolonged embraces, or massages) and inappropriate verbal interactions (including sexually explicit jokes or the oversharing of intimate personal information) are strictly prohibited.
4.2.2. Rooming Policy: Students may enter only their assigned room. Entering the sleeping quarters of another student is prohibited.
4.2.3. Curfew: Students must comply with the curfew announced for each program night and remain in their own assigned room from curfew until the announced activities start time. Being outside one's assigned room during curfew hours is a conduct violation.
4.2.4. Intimacy & Sexual Activity: Public displays of affection must remain professional. Sexual intercourse and all forms of sexual activity between participants are strictly prohibited during the program, regardless of consent or age.
4.2.5. Searches: Given reasonable suspicion of a violation of health and safety rules (e.g., possession of drugs, alcohol, or weapons), GYC staff may search a student's room or belongings, or ask the student to empty their own pockets. Staff never physically search a student's person. Any search is conducted with at least two adults and at least two students present — never one-to-one — and the student's parents are notified and the incident reported, consistent with Section 4.6 of the Travel Terms of Service.
4.3. Staff-Student Boundaries & "Rule of Two"
4.3.1. The Rule of Two (No One-on-One Encounters): Adults (staff, judges, mentors, chaperones) and minor students must never be alone together in an isolated, private, or enclosed environment. All interactions must occur in observable, open, or group settings.
4.3.2. Electronic Communication Boundaries: All digital communication between staff/adults and students must remain strictly professional and tied to official GYC platforms. Private texting, direct messaging on personal social media, personal emails, or connecting on online gaming platforms is strictly prohibited.
4.3.3. Outside Interactions Prohibited: Any interaction between GYC staff/adults and minor students outside of officially sanctioned program activities is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, private tutoring, babysitting, meeting for coffee, visiting a staff member's home, or personal travel.
4.4. Digital Citizenship, Recording & Image Misuse
4.4.1. Strict Data Privacy: The unauthorized acquisition, use, or disclosure of non-public Personally Identifiable Information (PII), biometric data, or confidential information of peers or staff is strictly prohibited.
4.4.2. Consent to Capture: Students should not photograph, film, or record an identifiable peer or staff member without their permission. Ordinary group photography in public program settings is a normal part of the experience; the rules below draw the lines that matter.
4.4.3. Serious Violations (Section 6 steps may be bypassed): The following are serious breaches of this Code regardless of claimed intent:
- Capturing any image or recording of a person in sleeping quarters, bathrooms, or changing areas, or in any compromising, embarrassing, or vulnerable state (including while asleep);
- Using any image or recording to mock, bully, harass, threaten, or exclude any person — including posting or sharing it to any group chat, social platform, or audience;
- Refusing to delete an image or recording when the person shown, their educator, or GYC staff requests it;
- Any sexualized image of a minor, which is treated as a safeguarding incident under Section 4.5 and reported to authorities — never as an ordinary disciplinary matter.
4.4.4. Remediation First (Minor Lapses): A photo or recording taken without permission but without harm — where the student deletes it immediately on request and apologizes — is resolved informally and does not create a disciplinary record. Teenagers photograph each other; this Code punishes harm, not adolescence. Repetition after a request, or any use described in 4.4.3, escalates to Section 6.
4.4.5. Adults Held to a Higher Standard: Staff, educators, chaperones, and volunteers may not deliberately photograph or record students of another delegation without the authorization of that delegation's educator. GYC's own media capture and use is governed by Section 5.3 of the Travel Terms of Service and Section 7 of this Code.
4.5. Safeguarding & Reporting Procedures
4.5.1. Reporting Channels: If a student feels unsafe, threatened, or witnesses a violation, they (or their parents) should immediately contact the designated Safeguarding Officer or email safeguarding@theglobalyouthcongress.com.
4.5.2. Anonymous Reporting: Reports of suspected misconduct, policy violations, or abuse can be made formally or anonymously via our designated safeguarding channels.
4.5.3. Scope of Reporting: These procedures apply to adult-to-child misconduct, as well as child-to-child sexualized or abusive behaviors. GYC staff are mandatory reporters to legal authorities.
4.6. Adult Vetting & Venue Access (Live and Travel Programs)
A child at a GYC event shares that space with children from other schools and other families. The only reliable protection for all of them is that every adult present has been vetted before the event, not after an incident.
4.6.1. Vetted Adults Only: Only adults who have been vetted and accredited by GYC in advance may enter a GYC venue, remain in it, or have contact with student participants. This applies without exception, including to a student's own parent or legal guardian. GYC will refuse or withdraw access to any adult who has not completed vetting, and that refusal is not open to discussion at the door.
4.6.2. The Vetting Standard by Role:
- GYC Staff: criminal background check and completion of GYC safeguarding training.
- Educators & Chaperones designated by a registering institution: vetted by the institution under its own safeguarding and employment-screening obligations, named to GYC in advance. The institution warrants that vetting when it registers a delegation. For travel programs, an additional GYC travel safeguarding training is required.
- Volunteers: GYC safeguarding training; signed acceptance of this Code and of GYC's adult safeguarding limits; and full registration of identity and contact details in GYC's systems.
- A Parent acting as a designated chaperone (exceptional only): permitted only where an institution cannot field a designated educator, only with prior written approval from GYC leadership, and only on production of all of: a criminal background check; GYC safeguarding training; signed acceptance of this Code; and the institution's written authorization designating that parent as its chaperone in its name. Granted per edition, per delegation, at GYC's sole discretion, setting no precedent.
4.6.3. Reaching a Student During an Event — Two Routes Only:
- Through a GYC staff member, following the release and sign-out procedure of Section 4.8 of the Travel Terms of Service where it applies: valid government-issued photo identification matching an adult named on the student's registration form, or that named adult's written authorization sent from the email address on the registration record. The student is handed over at the designated access point; this is not admission to the event.
- Through the accompanying educator or chaperone whom the institution designated and GYC accredited to hold in loco parentis authority for that delegation.
4.6.4. No Information to Unvetted Adults: GYC will not release a student to, and will not disclose a student's location, committee, room, or movements to, any adult who is not identified or accredited under this section. Court orders, custody arrangements, and safeguarding restrictions prevail and must be disclosed at registration.
5. Health, Legality & Medical Protocols
5.1. Prohibited Substances, Items & Activities
5.1.1. The possession, consumption, or purchase of the following is strictly prohibited for all students during any GYC program: alcohol; tobacco and e-cigarettes/vapes; cannabis products (including CBD and THC); illegal drugs or controlled substances; weapons of any kind; lighters, matches, and other ignition devices.
5.1.2. Constructive Possession: Students found in a room or area where prohibited substances are present or being used will be held equally responsible. The only defense is to leave the area immediately and report the violation.
5.1.3. Gambling: Gambling and games of chance for money are prohibited.
5.1.4. Vehicles: Students may not drive, rent, or ride as the operator of any motor vehicle, moped, scooter, or similar device during a program.
5.2. Medical Protocols & Medication
5.2.1. No Medical Services: GYC staff and students do not render medical treatment, diagnosis, or medical advice. The exceptions are basic emergency first aid/CPR by certified persons, and the complimentary over-the-counter tier described in 5.2.3.
5.2.2. Supervised Medication Administration: Students are responsible for carrying their own personal medication. Parents/guardians must provide a formal, written letter in the student's medical kit detailing specific dosages, medications, and symptoms (e.g., "If student has a headache, take 1 pill of [Medication] up to 3 times a day after meals"). GYC staff will only supervise the student self-administering their medication based strictly on these written parental instructions.
5.2.3. Complimentary Over-the-Counter Support: As provided in Section 4.3 of the Travel Terms of Service, GYC keeps a stock of common over-the-counter remedies and may offer them to a student where the parent has consented at registration; the accompanying educator may direct that a given student not receive them.
5.2.4. Beyond the Instructions: For any medical concern beyond the pre-approved parental instructions, GYC staff rely solely on the assessment of a certified medical professional (e.g., via the provided telehealth service or local emergency medical services) and act strictly on that professional's instructions.
5.2.5. No Medication Sharing: A student may never give any medication — prescription or over-the-counter — to another student, and may never take medication belonging to another student.
5.3. Loco Parentis (Live Events)
5.3.1. During live conferences and travel programs, the accompanying educator or chaperone designated by the student's institution — or, where no institution educator travels with the student, the GYC-assigned chaperone designated under the Travel Terms of Service — and accredited by GYC under Section 4.6, acts in loco parentis (in the place of a parent) for the duration of the event.
5.3.2. Students must follow the instructions of their accompanying educators and GYC staff immediately and without argument regarding matters of safety, health, and logistics.
6. Disciplinary Actions
6.1. Violation of this Code results in disciplinary measures. GYC determines the severity of any violation and may bypass lower steps — including the strike count — for serious infractions (violence, harassment, abuse, substance violations, theft, or the serious violations listed in 4.4.3).
6.2. The Strike System
6.2.1. Issuance: A violation of this Code may be recorded as a strike by GYC staff or the accompanying educator. Each strike is communicated to the student when issued and recorded in writing, and the accompanying educator is notified of every strike issued to a student of their delegation. A warning is not a strike; an informal resolution under 4.4.4 and a first-time language reminder under 2.1.2 create no strike.
6.2.2. Three strikes — one-day suspension: On a student's third strike, the student is suspended from all program operations — sessions, committee work, competitions, tours, and social activities — for one full program day. The student's parents or legal guardians are notified of the third strike and its suspension, and of every strike issued thereafter. During a suspension on a live or travel program the student remains under the supervision of the in loco parentis holder (Section 5.3). Activities missed during a suspension are not rescheduled, refunded, or compensated.
6.2.3. Six strikes — removal: On a student's sixth strike, the student is immediately removed from the program under 6.5, with the travel consequence in 6.5.1 at the family's sole expense.
6.2.4. Scope: Strikes are individual — they attach to the student who committed the violation, never to the team — and accumulate within a single program edition, with no carry-over between programs.
6.3. Competition Penalties (team-wide, where the program has scoring): Deduction of points from the team's overall competition score. In scoring programs, minor infractions are addressed primarily through point penalties — a violation such as lateness may cost the team points — and strikes are reserved for conduct that warrants individual discipline, always including safety, safeguarding, and boundary violations. In programs without scoring (for example, Model UN conferences), the strike system is the sole progressive-discipline mechanism.
6.4. Financial Liability: Students/Parents are liable for any damage caused to property. For travel programs, these costs are charged under the payment authorization in Section 2.2 of the Travel Terms of Service; otherwise they must be paid immediately.
6.5. Expulsion/Program Removal: On the sixth strike (6.2.3), or directly for serious offenses (6.1).
6.5.1. Travel Consequence: Removal results in the student being sent home immediately at the family's sole expense (including flights and chaperone escorts).
6.5.2. Refund Policy: No refunds of tuition or travel fees will be issued for removed students.
7. Intellectual Property & Media Release
7.1. Media Release:
7.1.1. Travel programs: GYC's capture and use of program media — including the daily family album and third-party use by participating schools and authorized resellers — is governed exclusively by Section 5.3 of the Travel Terms of Service, including its removal-request route.
7.1.2. All other programs: By accepting this Code at registration, the parent or legal guardian grants GYC a worldwide, royalty-free license to use photographs, video recordings, and quotes of the student captured during the program for marketing and educational purposes. A parent may request the removal of specific published material featuring their student by writing to GYC, and GYC will have up to thirty (30) business days from receipt to remove the specified material from the platforms under its direct control.
7.2. Student Work: GYC retains a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to display, publish, and use any academic work (projects, speeches, business plans) submitted during a program or competition for promotional or educational use.
8. Governing Law
8.1. This Code is governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, United States, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules. Disputes are resolved as provided in the Terms of Service applicable to the program (the Travel Terms of Service for travel Programs; the published program Terms of Service otherwise) in which the student participates.
By registering for and participating in any Global Youth Congress program, the student and their parent or legal guardian acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agree to abide by this Global Code of Conduct & Ethics.