Community Guidelines

These guidelines help us build a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative community that honors Pacific values and supports our shared mission.

Pacific Values at the Heart of Our Community

Talanoa

Open and inclusive dialogue

Engage in respectful conversations that welcome all voices and perspectives

Reciprocity

Mutual exchange and support

Share knowledge generously and support others as you would want to be supported

Collective Responsibility

Shared accountability for community wellbeing

Take responsibility for maintaining a positive and supportive community environment

Respect for Elders

Honoring wisdom and experience

Value the knowledge and experience of senior community members and traditional leaders

Our Core Community Values

Respect & Inclusion

Honor Pacific diversity and create inclusive spaces for all community members

  • Embrace cultural diversity across Pacific Island nations
  • Welcome newcomers and support their integration
  • Use inclusive language that respects all identities
  • Value different perspectives and experiences

Collaboration & Sharing

Foster knowledge sharing and collaborative learning

  • Share resources and knowledge generously
  • Collaborate openly on Pacific development challenges
  • Support others' learning and professional growth
  • Build bridges between communities and organizations

Cultural Protocols

Respect Pacific cultural values and traditional knowledge systems

  • Acknowledge traditional knowledge holders
  • Follow cultural protocols when sharing sensitive information
  • Respect indigenous data sovereignty principles
  • Honor Pacific ways of knowing and learning

Professional Integrity

Maintain high standards of professional conduct and accuracy

  • Share accurate and verified information
  • Attribute sources and credit contributors properly
  • Maintain confidentiality when required
  • Represent your organization truthfully

Communication Guidelines

Respectful Communication

  • 1Use polite and professional language in all interactions
  • 2Listen actively and respond thoughtfully to others
  • 3Avoid personal attacks, insults, or discriminatory language
  • 4Respect different communication styles and cultural norms

Constructive Participation

  • 1Stay on topic and contribute meaningfully to discussions
  • 2Ask questions and seek clarification when needed
  • 3Provide constructive feedback and suggestions
  • 4Help moderate discussions by addressing conflicts respectfully

Knowledge Sharing

  • 1Share relevant and valuable resources with the community
  • 2Provide context and background for shared materials
  • 3Tag content appropriately for easy discovery
  • 4Update or correct information when necessary

Privacy & Safety

  • 1Respect others' privacy and personal information
  • 2Report inappropriate behavior or content
  • 3Use privacy settings appropriately
  • 4Think before sharing sensitive or personal information

Prohibited Behaviors

We're committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment

  • Harassment, bullying, or intimidation of any community member
  • Discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, or other protected characteristics
  • Sharing false, misleading, or unverified information
  • Commercial spam or unauthorized promotional content
  • Violating copyright or intellectual property rights
  • Misrepresenting traditional knowledge or cultural practices
  • Attempting to hack, disrupt, or abuse platform systems
  • Creating fake accounts or impersonating others

Traditional Knowledge & Cultural Sensitivity

Sharing Traditional Knowledge

  • Always acknowledge the source and cultural context
  • Seek permission from knowledge holders when appropriate
  • Respect restrictions on sharing certain cultural information
  • Provide proper context and avoid misrepresentation

Cultural Protocols

  • Respect sacred or sensitive cultural information
  • Ask questions respectfully to learn about different cultures
  • Avoid cultural appropriation or misuse of cultural symbols
  • Support indigenous data sovereignty principles

Community Moderation

Our community is moderated by trained staff who understand Pacific cultural contexts and values. We aim to address issues fairly and constructively.

Reporting Process

  1. 1. Report inappropriate behavior using the platform tools
  2. 2. Our moderation team reviews within 24-48 hours
  3. 3. We investigate and take appropriate action
  4. 4. Follow-up communication is provided to all parties

Community Support

We're committed to supporting all community members and helping resolve conflicts in ways that strengthen our collective knowledge and collaboration.

Get Help

  • • Contact community moderators for guidance
  • • Use the help resources for platform questions
  • • Join orientation sessions for new members
  • • Connect with community mentors and leaders

Questions About Community Guidelines?

Our community team is here to help you understand and follow these guidelines. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need clarification or support.

Community Support: [email protected] | Pacific Community (SPC)