PFN Code of Conduct

by aghstrategies | June 17, 2026 1:13 pm

PFN provides experts and practitioners who are PFN Participants (both Members and Collaborators) with the opportunity to analyze and develop policy topics and solutions through constructive collaboration with others, including those with different values, priorities, experience, knowledge, and views.

This requires that Participants be more than just tolerant, but that they also commit to listening, engaging, reconsidering, and improving their own views as well as the views of others, including views they may believe to be incorrect or even objectionable. And at the same time, it requires treating those who express different views with dignity and respect.

To that end, PFN maintains a Code of Conduct that supports constructive collaboration, mutual respect, intellectual integrity, independence, and the absence of potential conflicts of interest. The Code applies to all PFN areas: website, comments, forums, discussions, meetings, direct messages, and events.

To become PFN Participants (both Members and Collaborators), all applicants must acknowledge and uphold this Code of Conduct. In addition, all PFN Participants in good standing (both Members and Collaborators) must continue to acknowledge, agree with, and adhere to this Code.

Code of Conduct

• PFN Participants are free to use the subject-matter information they receive or hear in their PFN roles in accordance with the content access and use rules that apply based on their roles. In so doing, however, PFN Participants may not share or reveal the identity or affiliation of any PFN speaker, PFN author, or PFN Participant, guest, or other person participating in a restricted-access PFN activity beyond the restricted access group.
  • PFN Participants should comply with the Chatham House Rule.[1]
• PFN Participants should
  • Engage clearly, directly, actively, honestly, and professionally in all verbal and written discussions and debates about policy topics and solutions.
  • Treat all PFN Staff, Contractors, and Participants in PFN activities with respect, honesty, and humility.  
  • Acknowledge their own limits, listen, and try to understand others’ perspectives and arguments, and update their own views as appropriate. 
  • Assume good faith and extend the benefit of the doubt to others, particularly those who express different views. 
• PFN Participants should not
  • Engage in any harassment, discrimination, and/or abusive behavior. 
  • Personalize comments and/or question others’ personalities, intelligence, motives, or character – no ad hominem attacks.
  • Represent any employer or other partisan or non-partisan organization without acknowledgement.
  • Misrepresent others’ statements, perspectives, or work. 
• PFN Participants should disclose and update (at least annually) their
  • Policy-related work over the most recent five years, including the organizations and people with or for whom they did this work.  
  • Annual financial support greater than $10,000 in salary, project fees, contractor payments, grants, endowments, research, memberships, contributions, or other financial support relating to policy topics and solutions of interest to PFN. 
  • Strong public positions on relevant policy issues.
  • Significant involvement in political campaigns or candidates, including significant contributions. 
  • Other activities or interest, including activities and interests of family members, that may reasonably be expected to raise questions about the Participant’s views and activities as a PFN Participant.  
• PFN Participants should report any questions, concerns, and possible violations of this Code of Conduct to the PFN Leader.  
• PFN Participants should sign the following acknowledgment and agreement:
  • I have read and understood the PFN Code of Conduct. 
  • I agree to all of the following items as well as all other items explicitly and implicitly reflected in the Code:
    • Communicate professionally and respectfully with all members.
    • Engage seriously and substantively with diverse viewpoints.
    • Maintain intellectual honesty and rigor in my contributions.
    • Disclose possible conflicts of interest and acknowledge my biases.
    • Refrain from harassment, discrimination, and abusive behavior and from personal attacks on PFN Participants and other individuals. 
  • I understand that PFN Participant status is contingent on upholding this Code and that violations may result in warnings, suspension, or termination of that status. 
  • I accept the consequences decided upon by the PFN Leader if I am found to have violated any of these standards.

Acknowledgements

Source URL: https://dev.policyfutures.net/pfn-code-of-conduct/

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