Code of conduct

Preambel

We, the members of the European Circus Association, are committed to promoting and performing the art and culture of circus in a way that meets the highest ethical standards. Our aim is to preserve circus as an intangible cultural heritage and to provide the public with responsible, respectful and inspiring entertainment. In doing so, we are committed to the respectful treatment of people, animals and the environment.

1. Responsibility towards people

• Respect and dignity: We respect the rights and dignity of all people - from our employees and artists to our audiences. We are committed to fair and respectful treatment without discrimination on the basis of gender, origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability or other personal characteristics.
• Diversity and inclusion: Circus is a place of diversity. We value and promote a culture of inclusion that welcomes people from all cultures, backgrounds and walks of life. Regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability or other identity characteristics, we are committed to ensuring that all people in our community have the same opportunities and respect. We celebrate this diversity and see it as one of Circus' greatest strengths.
• Mutual respect: Within our association and between our members, we foster a culture of open dialog and mutual respect. We strictly reject bullying, harassment or any form of violence.
• Education: The European Circus Association recognizes the right of every child to education as a fundamental human right. Children who grow up in circus families and travel with them must not be disadvantaged in their educational and personal development.
• Professional development: We promote continuous training and further education for all employees and artists to ensure the highest standards of safety, creativity and professionalism. This includes training on topics such as diversity, inclusion and respectful treatment.

2. Responsibility towards animals

• Animal welfare: The respectful treatment of animals is our top priority. We pay attention to the well-being of all animals that appear in our programs. The keeping, care and handling of animals is based on the latest scientific findings as well as legal requirements and ethical standards.
• Protection and safety: We guarantee that animals live in a safe and species-appropriate environment, are trained and do not experience any undue risks or stress in our performances.
• Transparency and responsibility: We are transparent about the use of animals and ensure that all animals are kept and treated in a verifiably species-appropriate manner. The protection of animals is our top priority.

3. Responsibility towards the audience

• Safety and comfort: Our aim is to offer the audience a unique and unforgettable experience. This includes complying with all safety standards and ensuring the comfort of the audience. We are constantly working to improve accessibility so that everyone can enjoy the circus experience.
• Ethical performances: All performances and productions adhere to the highest ethical standards. We refrain from performances that promote violence or discrimination and ensure that our performances are suitable for all ages.
• Access and inclusion: Circus is for everyone. We are committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, ability or origin, has access to our art and culture.

4. Responsibility towards the environment

• Sustainability: We are aware of our ecological responsibility and are actively committed to minimizing the ecological footprint of our production. This includes the use of environmentally friendly materials, the reduction of waste and the efficient use of resources.
• Climate awareness: We promote climate-friendly practices within our organizations and productions, from the use of sustainable transportation to energy-efficient stage sets and lighting systems.

5. Responsible leadership and transparency

• Ethical leadership: The leaders of our association act with integrity and transparency. They ensure that all decisions are made in accordance with the association's ethical standards.
• Responsibility and accountability: All members of the association are responsible for their behavior and actions. We promote a culture of accountability and rely on regular audits and effective complaints management to ensure that standards are met.

6. Cooperation and Engagement

• Cooperation and exchange: We promote exchange and cooperation within our community and with other cultural and arts organizations. We work together to further develop circus as an art form and anchor it in society.
• Commitment to young talent: We are actively committed to promoting young talent and new ideas in the circus sector. This includes both the training and support of up-and-coming artists.

7. Responsibility for the history and future of the circus

• Preserving our heritage: The circus has a long and rich tradition that must be preserved. We are actively committed to documenting and archiving the history of the circus and making it accessible to the public. This includes supporting and promoting archives, museums and other cultural institutions that preserve the heritage of the circus and make it accessible to future generations.
• Promoting innovation and creativity: Building on the 250-year history of the circus, we support the development of new forms, concepts and forms of expression. We promote artistic innovations that combine the traditional circus art with modern elements without compromising the ethical standards and values of the circus. Our vision is to preserve circus as a living art form and at the same time create space for new creative developments.
• Future viability of circus: We strive to keep circus alive as an art form for future generations. This includes not only the further development of performance art, but also the creation of inclusive and sustainable models that keep circus relevant as a cultural heritage in a rapidly changing world.
• Knowledge exchange and collaboration: We promote the exchange between traditional circus companies, innovative artists and cultural institutions. This interdisciplinary dialog enables us to preserve the tradition of circus and at the same time break new ground to make circus art accessible, contemporary and exciting for a wide audience.

Concluding remarks

The Code of Conduct serves as a binding guideline for all members of the European Circus Association. We are committed to living and implementing this Code to ensure that circus continues to be experienced as an art form and culture - both for present and future generations.