The Ancestral Health Society would not exist without its community. Here we outline our Ideals and Values and the Code of Conduct expected at the Ancestral Health Symposium. This document expresses how we strive to realize these ideals at our annual conference and in the way our community interacts online. Our goal is to ensure that all participants can share ideas freely and openly, in a friendly, safe, and welcoming environment that encourages and inspires mutual respect and collaboration.
The purpose of this document is not to restrict the diversity of ideas or expression in the ancestral health community; rather, it is to enhance the quality of our exchanges to ensure that current and potential members of our valued community are not alienated.
We are inclusive and egalitarian
One of the greatest strengths of the ancestral health community is our inclusiveness. Since the first symposium, AHS has been fortunate to have represented in its presenters and attendees a range of diverse cultures, viewpoints, and life experiences. Making all participants feel welcome and included at AHS is everyone’s job. One of the memorable take-aways from the “State of Paleo” panel at AHS17 was that the dietary and other lifestyle improvements encouraged in the ancestral health community have not been equally available to all people. We recognize the need to expand the reach and accessibility of ancestral health ideas and practices to include underrepresented communities. Our Board and Program Committee recognize that active outreach is required to widen our community of attendees and presenters from different racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic groups so that we can continue to learn from each other and to enrich the value of the Ancestral Health Symposium.
We share ideas and theories supported by logic, objective rationality, and intellectual honesty
Many of the ideas, insights, and discoveries shared at AHS challenge the conventional wisdom on topics such as nutrition, sleep, sun exposure, movement, and food production. We embrace healthy debate and questioning of the status quo in all areas of human health. AHS is not, however, a forum for ideas that are not supported by well-reasoned arguments and honest engagement with facts. While generally lay-accessible, AHS at its core is a scientific conference.
We are collaborative
If and when misunderstandings occur, we encourage people to work things out among themselves whenever possible. People are encouraged to take responsibility for their words and actions and to listen to constructively presented criticism with an open mind, courtesy, and respect.
We are respectful
Sponsors, volunteers, speakers, attendees, and other participants should strive to treat all people with dignity and respect, regardless of their culture, religion, physical appearance, disability, race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.
We are considerate
The Ancestral Health Symposium is an international event that attracts diverse people from a wide variety of ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds. We acknowledge that cross-cultural communication can be complicated, and we encourage everyone to consider both the impact of their actions on those with different backgrounds and experiences and the honest intentions of those who may have unknowingly caused offense.
If people are unable to work out issues among themselves, they are encouraged to seek the advice of a mutually trusted third party or to contact us to help mediate.
We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form, whether at the conference or during the months leading up to the conference. If you feel threatened or violated as a result of intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning conduct, please immediately notify a conference staff member. Likewise, please immediately notify a staff member if you notice that someone else is being subjected to such behavior.
The AHS team wants everyone to feel safe for the duration of the symposium. If necessary, conference staff are empowered to take appropriate actions that may include, but are not limited to, warnings, barring attendance at the symposium, expulsion from the symposium without refund, and referrals to venue security or local law enforcement.
Reports should be made directly to Tess Falor or Naomi Norwood