Code of Conduct: Villa Aurora & Thomas Mann House e. V.
This Code of Conduct is applicable to all staff members and officers of Villa Aurora & Thomas Mann House e. V. (VATMH), as well as fellows, grant recipients and guests of the association. The Code of Conduct will be continually reviewed and, if necessary, adapted.
Who we are. What we stand for.
The nonprofit association VATMH awards grants and fellowships for its two residency centers in Los Angeles – Villa Aurora and Thomas Mann House – and organizes cultural programs in the United States and in Germany. It keeps alive the memory of European exile history in the United States, communicates up-to-date, diverse images of Germany, and facilitates a shared transatlantic dialogue on social, cultural, and political challenges.
VATMH supports artists, scientists, and intellectuals representing a variety of opinions, positions, and approaches. For VATMH, this is pluralism in practice and an expression of freedom of speech, academic and artistic freedom. This goes hand in hand with the obligation for everyone to contribute to an empathetic and peaceful shared environment for all people, without any form of discrimination, exclusion, and hatred.
In our shared work, VATMH stands for a communication culture characterized by respect and trust. This includes an open feedback and error culture, a work culture based on autonomy and collaboration, and the willingness to learn from each other and others.
Fields of Action
A Peaceful Living and Working Environment
We are committed to making the shared living and working environment in our residency centers and our programs as inclusive and safe as possible – for all people, irrespective of age, gender, origin, religion, physical and mental abilities, education, and social background.
Both internally and externally, we are committed to a zero-tolerance policy toward racism and anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and any other forms of exclusion and discrimination.
We strongly object to those who oppose our free and democratic constitutional system and whose statements and actions run counter to the idea of international understanding and the equality of all before the law or whose statements and actions relativize or deny Nazi crimes. In addition, we strongly object to positions that negate Israel’s right to exist or that advocate or glorify violence in any form.
Abuse of Power and Sexual Harassment – Against a Toxic Work Environment
We condemn any form of abuse of power – verbally, physically, or through the use of position or authority. Our aim is to create a workplace environment based on respect, tolerance, fairness, and equality. This approach does not only govern our interactions with our colleagues but also with our guests and project and program partners. Therefore, we maintain a strict policy of zero tolerance for sexual harassment, unwanted physical contact, suggestive remarks, or any other transgressive behavior.
Law and Finances
We comply with applicable laws, contract obligations, and internal regulations. We will not grant third parties any advantages and will not obtain any advantages for ourselves in an unlawful manner. In addition, we are familiar with and comply with the Corruption Prevention Policy of the German Federal Foreign Office.
Since VATMH is funded largely by public money, we are obliged to meet strict requirements. We comply with these regulations and take responsibility for keeping up to date on these requirements. We use and manage our funds responsable, from planning to reporting on the use of funds.
Sustainability in Our Work Processes
We are committed to acting in an environmentally responsible way and to applying sustainable thinking to all aspects of our operations. This includes the responsible use of resources, waste reduction, and the use of green technologies to minimize our ecological footprint.
Occupational health and safety standards and labor rights are regulated by the public service labor agreement TVöD (in Germany) and by our “Employee Handbook” (in the United States).
Confidentiality and Data Protection
To facilitate a professional environment at our residency centers, discretion is especially important to us. It strengthens the wellbeing of all and creates trust.
We treat sensitive information and business secrets confidentially. This also applies to personal information and to events and incidents witnessed by us at our residency centers.
We comply with applicable data protection regulations and take the protection of the personal information of our fellows, grant recipients, their guests, and our program and project partners very seriously.
Events and Residency Stays
As a residency program and organizer of cultural events in Los Angeles and Berlin, we bring together international artists, scientists, and intellectuals from a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and identities. We have a responsibility to our online and offline communities and are committed to offering a safe and supportive atmosphere at all our events.
As a German cultural intermediary operating in the United States, we are bound by German laws, regulations, and norms and our concomitant obligations as a funding recipient, as well as by California law.
We expect our fellows and grant recipients to interact with their fellow residents, VATMH staff, and guests with respect, consideration, and an open mind.
Handling Violations
In the case of violations of the objectives and fields of action as defined in this Code of Conduct, it is the responsibility of all staff members to actively intervene. Depending on their severity, violations can result in workplace sanctions, civil compensation claims or criminal sanctions. In addition, we reserve the right to exclude people whose statements and actions contradict our values from our funding programs and events.
Ombudspersons
Our staff members have the possibility to confidentially report any violations of the VATMH Code of Conduct to ombudspersons in Berlin and/or Los Angeles.
Our grant recipients, fellows, and guests are kindly asked to contact us at the following e-mail address if they have observed or suffered any violations of the VATMH Code of Conduct: compliance@vatmh.org