Code of conduct

1. Mission and values

The Nieuw Amsterdams Verbond brings people and organisations together - entrepreneurs, social initiatives, funds and the municipality - to make Amsterdam more liveable. The Nieuw Amsterdams Verbond works demand-driven, with initiatives at its heart, and believes in equal cooperation. Our core values are:

• Decisiveness: Members are actively committed to positive change in the city.
• Equality: Everyone in the association is treated with respect, regardless of background or status.
• Connection: The Nieuw Amsterdams Verbond encourages cooperation and knowledge sharing among members.
• Confidence, justice, and treating each other with care and humanity are the basis of our actions.

2. Definitions and scope

This code of conduct applies to all members of the Nieuw Amsterdams Verbond, as well as supervisors, employees, partners and others involved in the association's activities.

3. Behavioural expectations

Members of the Nieuw Amsterdams Verbond commit to the following rules of conduct:

• Members committed to strengthening Amsterdam's liveability for all
• Members do not take actions that put pressure on or affect the liveability of the city.
• Members subscribe to the core values of the Nieuw Amsterdams Verbond: decisiveness, equality, connection and trust.
• Members communicate respectfully and constructively with other members, social partners and the wider community.
• Inclusiveness and diversity are actively promoted within the Nieuw Amsterdams Verbond.
• Conflicts are discussed in an open and honest way, with the aim of reaching a solution together.
• Members avoid conflicts of interest and disclose potential conflicts to the board in a timely manner.
• Members refrain from discriminatory, intimidating or transgressive behaviour and contribute to a socially safe environment.

4. Independence and conflict of interest

• Board members and supervisors act in the best interests of the Nieuw Amsterdams Verbond and are not guided by personal, business or political interests.
• There should be no financial or other dependency relationships between board members and persons or organisations that may affect the objectives of the association.
• Board members and supervisors are appointed based on their expertise and commitment to the association's mission.
• A director or supervisor immediately reports a (potential) conflict of interest to the board or the supervisory board and reports all other positions upon joining.
• The person concerned abstains from decision-making and discussion on the subject in which the conflict of interest arises.
• In serious cases, the SB or the board may decide that the person should step down from the position.
• All situations of conflict of interest are recorded by the board in a register in which ancillary positions and disclosures are recorded and which is periodically reviewed by the SB.

5. Compliance and Legal Requirements

Members of the Nieuw Amsterdams Verbond:

• Act in accordance with national and international laws and regulations.
• Endorse, if applicable, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the UN Guiding Principles On Business and Human Rights.
• Maintain ethical standards consistent with the principles, standards and values of the Association.

6. Membership obligations

Members meet the conditions set out in the accession agreement.

7. Procedure in case of non-compliance with code of conduct

Failure to comply with this code of conduct will be taken seriously and may result in suspension or disqualification from membership. The procedure is as follows:

1. If there is reason to suspect that a member is not complying with the code of conduct, the board will enter into dialogue with the member in question to hear both sides of the argument.
   
   
2. If no unequivocal conclusion can be drawn from this interview that the member complies with the code of conduct, two members of the Supervisory Board will conduct a follow-up interview.
3. If this conversation also shows that the code of conduct has been violated, the member will be suspended. The member concerned will be informed of this in writing.
   
   
4. A suspension is initially for a period of three months, after which a follow-up discussion with the board takes place. If the board remains of the opinion that the member is in breach of the code of conduct, disqualification from membership will follow. The member concerned will be notified in writing.
   
   
5. If the Supervisory Board and the Board are of the opinion that the violation of the code of conduct is so serious as to warrant immediate expulsion from membership, the member concerned will be notified in writing.

This code of conduct is regularly reviewed and updated where necessary to ensure its relevance and effectiveness.