At ECE 2026, we are fully committed to building a scientific community where everyone feels welcome, respected, and empowered to contribute —regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, ability, background, or family status.

By registering for ECE 2026, all attendees agree to uphold our values and adhere to a Code of Conduct centred on professionalism, respect, safety, and inclusivity.

 

Our Core Commitments

We actively work to promote equity, inclusion, and representation across all levels of the conference. Our key goals include:

• Achieving gender equity in the composition of the scientific committee and among speakers, while ensuring meaningful representation beyond the gender binary.
• Increasing visibility, participation, and safety for LGBTQIA+ individuals, and fostering a welcoming, affirming space for all identities.
• Promoting full inclusion of participants with disabilities and specific needs, by adapting the conference environment for visible and invisible disabilities, neurodiversity, and other individual requirements.
• Supporting parents and caregivers, particularly those attending with young children, by offering practical and logistical accommodations.
• Creating a conference environment that is safe, inclusive, and free from any form of harassment, discrimination, or bias.

Actions and Initiatives

To translate our commitments into action, we are implementing the following initiatives:

• Symposium organizers are asked to consider gender equity and diversity in speaker selection.
• The registration process includes voluntary self-identification options for gender identity and specific needs (all confidential). Adaptations will be available upon request and within the resources available.
• Self-identification for participants identifying as LGBTQIA+ will be available offering a visible sign of solidarity, presence, and pride within the scientific community.
• A strict Code of Conduct prohibits harassment, sexual misconduct, racism, anti-LGBTQIA+ discrimination, and all forms of exclusionary behaviour.
• Trained support staff (“ECE Allies”) will be present and identifiable to assist participants with personal concerns. They will offer confidential support and guidance to anyone affected by inappropriate behavior and act as active observers to help maintain a safe environment.

Supporting Parents and Families

See dedicated section on “accompanying persons and children”.

ECE 2026 is committed to making the conference accessible for parents and caregivers, especially those with young children:

• Free access for children under 4.
• Reduced registration fee for children aged 4–12, mainly covering meals.
• A quiet room will be available for nursing, diaper changing, or rest (for children under 3, under parental supervision).
• We are currently exploring on-site childcare options. If interested, please indicate this during registration. Updates will be shared in spring 2026.

An accompanying adult must be registered as an Accompanying Person, unless both parents are conference participants.

Accessibility and Special Needs

We are committed to making ECE 2026 accessible to all. We recognize that access needs vary, and may include both visible and invisible disabilities, as well as other individual circumstances.

The conference centre meets accessibility standards and is adapted to ensure ease of access for individuals with reduced mobility.

If you have specific needs—whether related to mobility, sensory processing, mental health, chronic illness, or other factors—please let us know during registration.

We will do our best to accommodate all requests within the resources available.

Our goal is to create a space where everyone can fully participate, feel respected, and thrive.

LGBTQIA+ Visibility and Participation

We are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ participants. To support visibility, community-building, and voluntary self-identification, we invite attendees who identify as LGBTQIA+ to wear a dedicated button available at the welcome desk. Wearing the button is entirely optional and intended as a visible sign of presence, pride, and solidarity within the scientific community.

This initiative is part of our broader efforts to:

• Increase LGBTQIA+ representation at all levels of the conference.
• Promote safe, inclusive spaces.
• Encourage allyship and respectful dialogue.

If you have any questions or need support during the event, ECE 2026 Allies will be available.

Gender-neutral restrooms will be available at the Venue.

Code of Conduct at ECE 2026

The ECE praesidium and the local organizing committee of the European Congress of Entomology 2026 are committed to fostering an environment that promotes diversity, inclusion, and professional conduct. All attendees, including delegates, organizers, speakers, exhibitors, and staff members, are expected to adhere to this Code of Conduct throughout the event.

Expected Behavior

• Treat all individuals with respect, courtesy, and consideration.
• Communicate openly and thoughtfully while being mindful of diverse perspectives.
• Respect personal boundaries and cultural differences.
• Adhere to all applicable laws and regulations governing professional conduct.
• Ensure that all presentations, discussions, and interactions uphold principles of inclusivity and scientific integrity.

Unacceptable Behavior

• Harassment, discrimination, or exclusion based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other protected status.
• Any form of physical, verbal, or non-verbal intimidation, including bullying or threats.
• Unwelcome sexual advances, inappropriate physical contact, or sexually suggestive behavior.
• Use of language or imagery that is inappropriate, offensive, or demeaning.
• Disruptive behavior that interferes with presentations, discussions, or Congress activities.

Reports of misconduct can be made directly to any ECE Allies, or to staff at the front desk at any time during the event.

ECE 2026 Allies

At the ECE 2026 meeting, dedicated staff will be wearing a purple ribbon indicating their Allies. These allies are trained to provide support to those who are victims or witnesses of inappropriate behavior that may violate the ECE 2026 Code of Conduct. Their role is to listen, help affected individuals deal with the situation and provide them with information about their options, including the possibility of filing complaints. However, the allies are not involved in investigations or the imposition of sanctions. In addition, they are committed to creating safe spaces by acting as active observers during the event.

Report to any inappropriate behavior can also be reported at any time at the front desk to the ECE 2026 staff.

“Dress Code” and Attire

Please wear what you are comfortable in. The conference is a friendly space, and attendees tend to dress relatively casually at the conference (e.g., you will not see many attendees, if any, wearing a full suit or a tie, and are likely to see attendees in field clothes, jeans, or general street clothes). Please don’t feel a need to dress to a specific standard at our meeting but wear what you feel suits you best!

Summer weather in Tours can be warm, with highs above 30°C and lows of 20°C. The conference space is air-conditioned, so it may be helpful to have a sweater or light jacket.

While ECE 2026 encourages a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere with no formal dress code, attendees are expected to wear appropriate attire at all times. Nudity, partial nudity, or going barefoot is not permitted within the conference venue.