NATTEN ER VORES
CHARTER FOR ET NATTELIV UDEN DISKRIMINATION
Charter for a nightlife without discrimination
Nightlife is a social space that fosters cohesion and togetherness, providing great value to the people of Copenhagen and the city's guests. There must be room for everyone in Copenhagen's nightlife, and everyone has a responsibility to help ensure that this is the case.
Together with a wide range of stakeholders in the nightlife sector (restaurateurs, staff groups, event organizations, youth organizations, minority organizations, and experts), consensus on the content of this Charter for a Nightlife without Discrimination has been achieved through workshops, expert, and advisory group meetings, and many dialogue meetings.
The Charter aims to create a nightlife that is inclusive, ensuring equality and safety for everyone. Upon its launch, the Charter should be viewed as part of an ongoing process that will, step by step, work towards eliminating discrimination in nightlife.
We, the undersigned of this charter, as stakeholders in the nightlife sector, commit to leading the way and taking responsibility to combat any form of discrimination in nightlife - whether it pertains to ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender expression, sexuality, physical appearance, age, social background, language, or political views.
We therefore endorse the following initiatives and commit ourselves to actively working towards a nightlife without discrimination, where the rights and dignity of guests are respected.
Three concrete initiatives
FOR COMBATING DISCRIMINATION IN NIGHTLIFE
1
COMMUNICATION
Together, we must ensure the best possible communication and alignment of expectations
regarding nightlife. We commit to being clear about the framework of the event, expectations for
guest behavior, and the admission requirements for participation.
2
HANDLING
If a guest in the nightlife experiences discrimination, there should be appropriate processes in
place to handle the situation, ensuring that the guest is heard, seen, and taken seriously - and the
experiences should be collected to avoid similar situations in the future.
3
PREVENTION
Together, we must ensure the best possible prevention of discrimination. This involves education,
appropriate skills, ensuring the presence of non-discriminatory values, and working on the
culture surrounding safety and security in nightlife.
1. Communication
Clarity regarding profile, rights, expectations, and adherence to the charter
We commit to
// To clearly communicate our commitment to this charter
// To clearly inform guests about the venue's profile as a concept as well as expectations for guest behavior.
We commit to informing guests - at minimum through signage at the entrance and/or cloakroom,
as well as on our website, social media, etc. - about the following
// That the restaurant has endorsed this charter and does not tolerate discrimination.
// The venue's profile, such as dress code, admission requirements, and similar policies that may lead to rejection.
// The guests' right not to be discriminated against and the guests' options for recourse if they experience discrimination.
// The expectations for both staff and guests' behavior during the visit.
2. Handling
Reporting options, handling, and key personnel
We commit to
// To ensure clear information for guests on where to turn if they experience discrimination, as well as clear guidelines on how these reports will be handled.
// To appoint a designated key person who has an in-depth understanding of the charter's focus areas and possesses the necessary skills to engage in constructive dialogue with guests who experience discrimination.
We support
// That a centrally organized dialogue tool for inquiries regarding discrimination is created and developed.
We agree that discrimination has no place in society, and therefore not in nightlife
either.
Recognizing that situations may be perceived differently, we commit to engaging in constructive dialogue with guests about all experiences of discrimination.
We commit to clearly communicate how the venue handles situations where guests experience discrimination. The guidelines should describe contact options for both guests and staff in cases of discrimination and outline the procedures for handling reported incidents.
We commit to having a dedicated key person who is thoroughly familiar with the charter and who can continuously ensure that the charter and its content is known by both employees and relevant.
Finally, we support the establishment of a centrally organized dialogue tool where guests can report experiences of discrimination, and where, for example, an independent and impartial actor can facilitate further dialogue and handling, as well as provide recommendations to avoid similar situations in the future.
3. Prevention
Upskilling, education, and dialogue
We commit to
// To provide information on discrimination and to educate staff and management in the
prevention, combating, and handling of discriminatory behavior. Knowledge and
competencies regarding discrimination will also be maintained and continuously updated.
We support
// Establishment of centrally managed training programs for the industry.
// Establishment of one or more industry forums for ongoing discussions and exchange of experiences regarding the prevention, combating, and handling of discrimination in
nightlife.
A continued and strengthened effort is necessary to prevent and combat discrimination in nightlife. The staff at each establishment must understand what discrimination is and what it means for guests in nightlife, as well as how the establishment can contribute to preventing, combating, and handling discriminatory behavior.
Therefore, it is necessary for the management to have knowledge about and skills to prevent discrimination. Additionally, supplementary information and ongoing training for security personnel and service staff are necessary to support employees in addressing the biases and blind spots that can lead to discrimination in all forms. This applies even in cases where the staff is affiliated with the establishments through external suppliers.
Some restaurateurs have the resources and expertise to ensure that the necessary courses, information, etc., are offered, but several restaurateurs will not be able to tackle this task alone. Therefore, we are positively inclined towards centrally managed training programs, which can make it easy and attractive for restaurateurs across the industry to work with knowledge and prevention, both in management and among the staff who have direct contact with nightlife guests.
We are also convinced that ongoing dialogue about prevention and combating discrimination, as well as mutual exchange of experiences, has a preventive and strengthening effect on our efforts. Therefore, we support the establishment of one or more industry forums for such ongoing discussions.
Following up on the initiatives in the Charter
To support active and targeted efforts regarding the charter's initiatives, we will collaborate with
the Municipality of Copenhagen to experiment with a regulatory body or similar solutions to verify
our commitments to the charter.
Regarding the specific initiatives in the charter, we will, together with the Municipality of
Copenhagen and other relevant stakeholders, explore the specific opportunities as well as the
need for financing the charter's focus areas.
Sign up for the charter
Do you own or represent a nightclub, venue, restaurant or similar and would you like to be part of the charter and a better future? Then sign up below and we will contact you with more information.
Thank you for your interest.
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