Safeguarding, Gender Equality and Workplace Protection at JE Global

Junior Enterprises Global maintains an uncompromising commitment to ensuring that all members, volunteers, partners and beneficiaries can participate in our activities in a fully safe, respectful and inclusive environment. As the world’s largest student-run entrepreneurship organisation, we recognise our responsibility to uphold the highest ethical standards across a network of more than two thousand organisations worldwide. Our Policy on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) guides this commitment and reflects our adherence to internationally recognised safeguarding norms.

Our Standards and International Alignment

Although JE Global is a volunteer-driven youth organisation, our safeguarding commitments are aligned with the UN Secretary-General’s Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (ST/SGB/2003/13), the IASC Six Core Principles, and the UN Protocol on Allegations of SEA Involving Implementing Partners. These frameworks form the ethical foundation on which our internal standards are built.

By anchoring our approach in these UN decisions and protocols, JE Global affirms that any form of sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment is incompatible with our mission, values and governance. This alignment reinforces our zero-tolerance stance and assures partners and participants that our organisation meets global expectations for integrity and protection.

A Commitment to Safety, Dignity and Equality

Our safeguarding approach is rooted in three core commitments:

1. Protection of human dignity

We uphold every individual’s right to participate in JE Global’s activities free from discrimination, abuse or exploitation. Our culture emphasises gender equality, respect and responsible leadership at every level of our organisation.

2. A survivor-centred philosophy

Our Policy affirms that the wellbeing, safety and wishes of survivors take precedence in all decisions related to potential misconduct. Confidentiality, informed consent and the “do-no-harm” principle guide every aspect of our actions.

3. Zero tolerance and accountability

Any behaviour that constitutes sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment is strictly prohibited. The Policy makes clear that all individuals acting on behalf of JE Global, regardless of seniority, role or affiliation, are bound by the same standards of behaviour. Substantiated violations trigger proportionate disciplinary action in line with international safeguarding expectations.

Prevention at the Core of Our Safeguarding Culture

Because prevention is the most effective form of protection, JE Global embeds safeguarding across all areas of organisational life. This includes cultivating an inclusive culture of respect and accountability, promoting gender-sensitive leadership, and ensuring that safeguarding responsibilities form part of daily practice rather than an occasional task.

Regular training, awareness measures and ethical guidelines help our global community understand their responsibilities and support one another in maintaining safe spaces. These efforts extend to our partners and network organisations, who are expected to uphold standards that are equivalent to or exceed our own.

Clear Expectations for Conduct

All representatives of JE Global commit to our Code of Conduct, which integrates prohibitions on sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and reflects the IASC Core Principles. The dedicated section in our Code of Conduct requires that individuals:

• uphold professional boundaries,

• never use their role or access to resources for personal or sexual advantage,

• avoid relationships that involve or could be perceived as involving unequal power dynamics, and

• report concerns that may relate to safeguarding violations.

This Code is mandatory for all Executive Board members, Volunteers, Directors, Officers, Envoys, Staff, Consultants, Contractors, partner organisations and participants under JE Global’s umbrella.

A Global Standard Across All Contexts

As a transnational organisation, JE Global applies a unified safeguarding standard across all countries in which we operate. In situations where local laws provide weaker protection than the international standards we follow, we apply the higher benchmark. Where national legislation is stronger, we fully comply with those legal requirements.

Whether our activities take place in physical, virtual, regional or international environments, the same principles apply: safety, inclusion and equality are non-negotiable obligations.

Partnership Responsibilities and Network Alignment

All implementing partners, National Confederations, network organisations and contracted service providers working with JE Global must commit to equivalent safeguarding obligations. The Policy requires partners to demonstrate alignment with our standards and formally confirm that they maintain safe, ethical and protective environments for all persons involved in joint work.

Where capacity is still developing, JE Global supports partners through guidance and alignment measures to ensure a consistently safe environment throughout the Movement.

Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

Safeguarding is a living responsibility. JE Global’s policy includes annual reviews, organisational learning practices and periodic updates to ensure our framework remains aligned with emerging guidance and good practice in the international safeguarding community.

For further information our PSEA Focal Point is at your disposal: 

Luísa Cintra Estorilio, Strategic Councillor
For PSEA related outreach and contact only: psea@juniorenterprises.org

Confidential complaints can be submitted through the Whistleblowing Center.

Last updated: 25.08.2025