Uganda International Marathon Responsible Tourism Policy
Community
We work together with members of the local community and are directed by them, ensuring true integration. We value trade, not aid, and providing a leg-up rather than a hand-out. The local community projects we work with are all committed to sustainable development rather than receiving aid. They are invested in their own future and welfare and in learning how to enable independence rather than reliance.
We want to provide an authentic, culturally immersive experience on all levels, allowing an exchange of knowledge, ideas and inspiration between all participants, both international and local. We want to extinguish the idea of ‘us’ and ‘them’ and bring people from all over the world together to realise that we are all universally the same, with the same wants and needs.
Environment
We are committed to ensuring that the locations in where we operate are left in the same, if not a better state, than when we arrived.
- Power
Our Athlete’s Village campsite has no electricity aside from the generator we bring on site to maintain certain operations such as the bar. We utilise solar power as much as possible by using rechargeable lights and torches.
- Waste
We agree to dispose of rubbish in appropriate locations, not to litter the streets even if there is existing litter lying around. We aim to reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible, and encourage all participants to do likewise.
We encourage participants to purchase a reusable water bottle complete with filter to enable them to drink tap water in Uganda and minimise the purchase of plastic water bottles. All alcoholic beverages supplied by our bar come in glass bottles that are collected and recycled by the company operating the bar.
In the Athlete’s Village campsite we will install a new block of toilets to cope with further demand, but are designing an eco-friendly compost system to reduce waste and minimise environmental impact.
- Water
There is a scarcity of water in the campsite and so we remind participants to take short showers and be mindful of their water consumption.
Volunteering
Participants spend 1-2 days volunteering at the local projects they are fundraising for. We offer this as a taster and to develop a closer connection to the project and the people so they can really see where their money is going and become invested in the projects.
We also offer the opportunity to spend longer volunteering at one of the projects depending on the projects’ needs and the participant’s skills.
Volunteer placements do not and will not take the place of local labour. We realise that such a small contribution to a project may have a marginal effect on the project itself, so we aim to utilise our volunteers on simple tasks that can be completed in the day or two they are there.
Safeguarding
Many of our local community projects in Masaka work with children, young people and vulnerable adults, and their welfare is a high priority for us.
During the Uganda Marathon Adventure Week, many of the activities undertaken by the participants (such as project visits and organising the KidsRunWild sports day) involve contact with children, young persons and/or vulnerable adults. In order to help us maintain responsible standards of safeguarding, we request that all of our participants complete a Self Declaration & Disclosure form.
Participants who have applied for a subsequent volunteer placement will also be required to provide a valid criminal record check from their respective governmental body in their country of residence.
Whilst participants will be engaging with children, young persons and vulnerable adults during the Uganda Marathon Adventure Week, we endeavour to ensure that no participant is left alone with any child, young person or vulnerable adult, without the presence of a member of the Uganda Marathon team or project leader.
Participants are all provided with the below code of conduct to raise awareness of possible safeguarding issues, and are asked to immediately inform a member of the Uganda Marathon team should they be concerned about any misconduct or safety issues.
Code of Conduct
All participants & team members agree to:
- treat all children, young persons and vulnerable adults with respect
- listen to any concerns the children, young people, or vulnerable adults may have, and raise this with Uganda Marathon staff where appropriate
- remain in a visible location when with children, young people or vulnerable adults, in the presence of others
- be aware of any potentially dangerous situations and manage them effectively
- report any violations of the above or any concerns of safety or misconduct to Uganda Marathon staff immediately
All participants & team members agree to refrain from:
- any form of physical abuse including smacking children, young persons or vulnerable adults
- interacting with children, young persons or vulnerable adults in an inappropriate or sexually provocative way
- using any oppressive behaviour or language with children, young persons or vulnerable adults
- discrimination on the basis of age, gender, race, culture, disability, vulnerability or sexuality
- giving gifts or showing favouritism – gifts should be given to an appropriate adult to distribute equally
- taking any child, young person or vulnerable adult on or in any form of transport unless prior permission has been given and they are accompanied by a member of the Uganda Marathon team or project leader.
- being alone with any child, young person or vulnerable adult in a room with the door closed
Photography & Video
All participants & team members agree to:
- seek permission from a child/ young person/ vulnerable adult or an appropriate parent/guardian before taking their photograph or making a video
- explain how and where any photography or video footage will be used
- not include a child/ young person/ vulnerable adult’s name when they publish a photo on any social networking sites, web pages or printed materials
- not post material of any child/ young person/ vulnerable adult in such a manner that may put them at risk
- not to take or post images of children, young persons or vulnerable adults that may be perceived as provocative or degrading
Process for Investigating Abuse or Suspected Abuse
- Any person who has knowledge of, suspects, or has witnessed a potential safeguarding issue should immediately contact one of the following: local co-worker if appropriate, or a member of the Uganda Marathon team.
- A verbal and / or written report should be made within 24 hours to allow early intervention and prompt investigation.
- On receipt of the report the designated team member will begin an internal investigation.
- The suspect or perpetrator will be informed that an allegation has been made against him / her and they will be given the opportunity to respond.
- Where appropriate a complaint will be filed with the relevant Police and / or authorities. Full cooperation will be given to the authorities during any external investigation.
- Where the suspect or perpetrator is a foreign resident, the relevant law enforcement authorities will be informed with due regard given to the potential for extraterritorial proceedings by the expatriate’s country of origin.
- At all times the rights and welfare of the victim is of the highest importance. Any investigation will aim to respect the privacy and safety of the victim, ensuring that he / she is contacted in an appropriate manner.
Response to Investigation
- At the conclusion of the investigation, the suspect or perpetrator, the victim and his / her family or guardian should be informed of concerns or allegation, the results of the investigation and what corrective action, if any, will be taken.
- In the event that an allegation is proven to be untrue, or even fabricated, appropriate steps will be taken for follow-up with the person who has been accused, the victim, and the person who reported the incident. Efforts will be made to provide assistance to an associate accused of abuse with children, including counselling or other appropriate forms of support.
- If abuse is proven by the investigation, every effort will be made to assist the victim in coping with any physical or emotional trauma he or she may be experiencing. This may include medical treatment, psychological counselling or any other form of assistance deemed necessary and appropriate.
- If the investigation concludes that abuse has occurred which is subject to criminal prosecution according to national laws, all findings will be reported to the relevant national police authorities and full co-operation afforded them during an external investigation. If the accused is a foreign resident, the relevant law enforcement authorities will also be informed with due regard given to the potential for extraterritorial proceedings by the expatriate’s country of origin.
- In the event an associate is discharged for proven child abuse, such information will be disclosed as requested by police, etc. Such disclosures will be made in accordance with applicable law and/or customs.