IOC Terms of Participation and Operation
Article 1. Purpose
These Terms set forth the basic rights and obligations, operational standards, rules of conduct, privacy protection, participation restrictions, and dispute resolution procedures necessary for participants, staff, delegations, and participating organizations of the IOC (International Online Conference) to engage in international exchange and conference activities in a safe and orderly environment.
Article 2. Nature of the IOC
1.
The IOC is an international online parliamentary-style exchange program where participants from various countries and organizations gather online for exchange, discussion, meetings, presentations, team activities, and related programs.
2.
The IOC is not an activity operated by a single organization alone. It aims to be a jointly operated program created through the participation of multiple countries and organizations.
3.
The IOC aims to help participants broaden their international perspectives by respecting one another’s cultures, societies, and ideas.
4.
The IOC is operated as a non-profit program for youth international exchange and mutual understanding, not for political, religious, or commercial purposes.
Article 3. Definitions
1.
“IOC” means the International Online Conference, an online-based international exchange and conference program.
2.
“Organizing Committee” means the operating body responsible for planning, operating, establishing rules, resolving disputes, and making major decisions regarding the IOC.
3.
“Participating Organization” means any country, region, school, student organization, or international exchange organization that participates in or cooperates with the operation of the IOC.
4.
“Delegation” means participants or staff members who participate in the IOC on behalf of a Participating Organization.
5.
“Participant” means a person who participates in the program after completing the IOC application and confirmation procedures.
6.
“Staff” means persons responsible for meeting facilitation, server management, participant guidance, interpretation, records, promotion, and program operation of the IOC.
7.
“Chairs” means persons responsible for conducting IOC meetings or programs, including managing speaking order, meeting order, and agenda progress.
8.
“Server” means the Discord server or other online platform designated by the Organizing Committee for IOC operations.
9.
“Program” includes preliminary meetings, the main event, team activities, presentations, discussions, exchange activities, follow-up meetings, and other related activities connected to the IOC.
Article 4. Application and Eligibility
1.
Participants shall be persons who agree to the purpose and operation method of the IOC and complete the application and confirmation procedures designated by the Organizing Committee or Participating Organization.
2.
When applying, participants must agree to comply with these Terms, server rules, event-specific notices, and reasonable guidance from the Organizing Committee.
3.
The Organizing Committee may separately determine application procedures, identity verification procedures, eligibility standards, selection standards, and the number of participants as necessary for program operation.
4.
If an application contains false information or if there is a reason to deem an applicant unsuitable as a participant, the Organizing Committee may restrict or cancel participation.
Article 5. Rights of Participants
Participants have the following rights:
1.
The right to participate in IOC programs and server activities
2.
The right to express opinions in meetings, discussions, presentations, and exchange activities
3.
The right to receive basic guidance and announcements related to program operation
4.
The right to participate in a safe and respectful environment
5.
The right to make inquiries and provide opinions within the necessary scope related to program operation
6.
The right to raise concerns or request mediation from the Organizing Committee if they believe they have been treated unfairly
Article 6. Obligations of Participants
Participants have the following obligations:
1.
To comply with these Terms, server rules, event-specific notices, and guidance from the Organizing Committee
2.
To respect and consider other participants, staff, chairs, and Participating Organizations
3.
To cooperate with smooth program operation without undermining the purpose or atmosphere of the IOC
4.
To participate sincerely in the activities for which they applied
5.
To respect speaking order and meeting procedures during meetings and discussions
6.
To refrain from disrupting program operations
7.
To refrain from damaging the reputation of the IOC or Participating Organizations
Article 7. Principle of Free Participation
1.
The IOC is, in principle, operated without a participation fee.
2.
The IOC does not require participants to pay a separate program participation fee.
3.
However, personal expenses such as internet usage fees, personal equipment, and personal food and beverages shall be borne by the participant.
4.
If costs arise in the future for special programs, offline events, or external cooperative activities, such costs shall be announced in advance and proceeded with separately from the general IOC after obtaining consent.
Article 8. Operation of Meetings and Activities
1.
Participants must cooperate with reasonable guidance from the chairs and organizers during meetings, presentations, discussions, team activities, and other program operations.
2.
Participants must respect speaking order, meeting time, topics, and procedures.
3.
Interrupting or mocking another participant’s speech is prohibited.
4.
Intentionally disrupting a meeting or harming the atmosphere is prohibited.
5.
Differences of opinion may occur during discussions, but all participants must maintain an attitude of respect toward others’ opinions.
6.
The Organizing Committee may take measures such as limiting speaking time, moving channels, or issuing warnings to ensure smooth meeting operation.
Article 9. Server Rules
1.
The IOC server is a space for participants to communicate freely and safely.
2.
Participants must use respectful language and behavior toward one another.
3.
Excessive profanity, derogatory remarks, mockery, instigation of conflict, and discriminatory expressions are prohibited.
4.
Spamming, meaningless repeated messages, excessive mentions, and excessive emoji use are prohibited.
5.
Participants should refrain from interfering with others’ conversations.
6.
Excessive noise, playing music, shouting, or intentional disruption in voice channels is prohibited.
7.
Spreading conflicts from the server to external spaces or inciting public pressure is prohibited.
8.
If a dispute arises during server use, participants must cooperate with mediation by the Organizing Committee.
Article 10. Rules on Private Contact
1.
Private contact between participants after IOC events shall, in principle, be based on the other person’s consent.
2.
If private contact is necessary, prior permission must be obtained from the other person.
3.
Continuing to contact another person after they have refused or indicated that they do not want contact is prohibited.
4.
If repeated contact, persistent messages, or private contact causing discomfort is confirmed, the Organizing Committee may take measures such as warnings, server restrictions, or restrictions on future IOC participation.
Article 11. Prohibition of Sexual Harassment and Inappropriate Conduct
1.
Participants must not engage in sexual harassment, sexual jokes, comments on appearance, or remarks or behavior that may cause discomfort.
2.
Photos, videos, messages, voice remarks, emoji use, or other conduct that may burden or discomfort another person are prohibited.
3.
Conduct that may make another person uncomfortable is not permitted even if it is intended as a joke or friendly interaction.
4.
If serious violations of order such as sexual harassment, violence, bullying, threats, or illegal acts are confirmed, the Organizing Committee may immediately restrict participation, restrict server use, remove the participant from the server, or restrict future IOC participation.
Article 12. Prohibition of Discrimination and Hate Speech
1.
Participants must not discriminate against or demean others based on nationality, race, ethnicity, gender, language, religion, culture, disability, age, affiliated organization, or similar grounds.
2.
Remarks that mock or incite hatred toward a specific country, culture, organization, or individual are prohibited.
3.
Exclusionary, aggressive, or insulting expressions that contradict the purpose of international exchange are not permitted.
4.
If a violation is confirmed, the Organizing Committee may take necessary measures depending on the seriousness of the matter.
Article 13. Protection of Personal Information and Records
1.
The Organizing Committee may collect and use the minimum necessary personal information for application, identity verification, program operation, announcements, safety management, and event operation.
2.
Participants must not share another person’s personal information, including name, contact details, email, date of birth, affiliation, photos, videos, or account information, without consent.
3.
Recording, capturing, screen recording, photographing, filming, or saving screen-shared content must be conducted only after obtaining the other person’s consent.
4.
Sharing another person’s remarks, photos, videos, personal information, or conversations externally without consent is prohibited.
5.
If a privacy breach or unauthorized sharing is confirmed, the Organizing Committee may request immediate deletion, restrict participation, restrict server use, or restrict future IOC participation.
Article 14. Portrait Rights and Use of Promotional Materials
1.
The Organizing Committee or Participating Organizations may photograph, film, or record parts of the event screen during IOC programs for operation and promotion.
2.
Participants may consent to the use of photos and videos taken during IOC activities in promotional materials, SNS, websites, posters, result reports, and similar materials of the IOC and Participating Organizations.
3.
The scope of photo and video use and withdrawal procedures shall follow a separate consent form or event-specific notice.
4.
Participants who do not wish to be photographed, filmed, or included in promotional use must inform the Organizing Committee or their affiliated organization in advance.
Article 15. Use of IOC Name and Materials
1.
Names related to the IOC, including the IOC, Organizing Committee, Participating Organizations, event names, logos, and titles, may not be used without prior approval.
2.
Using the IOC name for commercial, political, or personal promotional purposes is prohibited.
3.
Internal IOC materials, participant lists, meeting content, unpublished plans, operating materials, and announcements must not be disclosed externally without prior approval from the Organizing Committee.
4.
Leakage of internal information shall be considered a serious violation of the rules, and the Organizing Committee may take measures such as participation restrictions, server restrictions, future IOC participation restrictions, or other necessary measures depending on the seriousness of the matter.
Article 16. Responsibilities of Participating Organizations and Delegations
1.
Participating Organizations must respect the purpose and operating rules of the IOC and provide necessary guidance to their participants and delegations.
2.
Participating Organizations must cooperate so that their participants comply with IOC rules.
3.
Delegations represent their affiliated organizations and must act and speak responsibly.
4.
If inappropriate conduct by a delegation is repeated or a serious issue arises, the Organizing Committee may consult with the relevant organization and request participation restrictions or replacement of the delegation.
Article 17. Responsibilities of Staff and Chairs
1.
Staff and chairs must act as role models for participants.
2.
Staff and chairs must be careful in their words and actions and must not treat any participant or organization unfairly.
3.
Staff authority must be used only for server operation, safety management, meeting facilitation, and program operation.
4.
Abuse of authority, unfair measures, or use of authority for personal purposes is prohibited.
5.
If abuse of authority or insincere performance of duties is confirmed, the Organizing Committee may remove the person from the staff or chair role.
Article 18. Participation Restrictions and Loss of Eligibility
1.
The Organizing Committee may restrict or suspend a participant’s IOC participation in any of the following cases:
1.
Violation of these Terms or event-specific notices
2.
Violation of server rules
3.
Risk of harm to the safety of other participants, staff, chairs, or organizers
4.
False information in the application
5.
Intentional disruption of meetings or events
6.
Serious violations of order, including sexual harassment, bullying, violence, threats, or illegal acts
7.
Repeated refusal or disregard of reasonable guidance from the Organizing Committee
8.
Serious damage to the reputation of the IOC or Participating Organizations
9.
Continued attempts at private contact despite the other person’s refusal
2.
If a serious violation is confirmed, the Organizing Committee may restrict the participant’s future IOC participation.
3.
If necessary, the Organizing Committee may share relevant facts with the participant’s affiliated organization and request cooperation.
Article 19. Unauthorized Absence and Application Restrictions
1.
If a participant becomes unable to attend after applying for an activity, they must inform the Organizing Committee or affiliated organization by the designated deadline.
2.
Absence without prior notice may disrupt event operation and limit opportunities for other participants.
3.
If repeated applications followed by unauthorized absences are confirmed, the Organizing Committee may restrict future IOC participation.
4.
Depending on the matter, server use or related activities may also be restricted.
Article 20. Dispute Resolution and Measures by the Organizing Committee
1.
If a dispute arises between participants or organizations, the parties must cooperate with the mediation process of the Organizing Committee.
2.
The Organizing Committee may request explanations or materials from relevant participants, staff, chairs, or Participating Organizations to verify facts.
3.
Considering the seriousness, intent, repetition, and extent of harm, the Organizing Committee may take measures such as warnings, chat restrictions, voice channel restrictions, participation restrictions, removal, server expulsion, or restrictions on future IOC participation.
4.
In serious cases, additional measures may be decided through a meeting of the Organizing Committee.
5.
Matters not specified in these Terms shall follow resolutions of the Organizing Committee and general operating practices.
Article 21. Disclaimer and Safety
1.
The Organizing Committee shall exercise reasonable care in planning and operating IOC programs and activities.
2.
The Organizing Committee shall not be liable for issues arising from online platforms, external cooperating institutions, services provided by third parties, or participants’ personal communication environments, except in cases of intent or gross negligence.
3.
The Organizing Committee shall not be liable for damages caused by a participant’s personal negligence, violation of these Terms, failure to follow guidance from the Organizing Committee, or individual judgment.
4.
To the extent permitted by law, the Organizing Committee shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.
Article 22. Amendment of Terms
1.
These Terms may be amended according to IOC operating circumstances, consultations among Participating Organizations, and resolutions of the Organizing Committee.
2.
When the Terms are amended, the Organizing Committee shall notify participants and Participating Organizations.
3.
If a participant continues to use the IOC server or participate in program activities after notice of amended Terms, the participant shall be deemed to have agreed to the amendments. However, matters requiring separate consent under applicable laws are excluded.
Article 23. Governing Principles and Interpretation
Matters not specified in these Terms shall follow resolutions of the IOC Organizing Committee, event-specific notices, consultations among Participating Organizations, and general practices.
