Furthermore, in addition, we wanted to test a new conference format to promote equality and cultural diversity among participants and reduce greenhouse gas emissions per participant. These additional goals are in line with the ethical guidelines of various scientific societies, including the psychology societies to which many ICMPC participants and ESCOM members belong.
The American Psychological Association (APA) publishes comprehensive ethical guidelines under the motto "Advancing Psychology to Benefit Society and Improve People's Lives". The following excerpts (translated from English) are relevant to issues of cultural diversity and environmental sustainability and thus to a multi-hub conference format.
General. "The development of dynamic ethical standards for psychologists' work-related behaviour requires personal commitment and lifelong effort to act ethically, to encourage students, supervisees, staff and colleagues to behave ethically, and to consult with others about ethical issues." This point implies that ethics plays a role in all aspects of psychological research, teaching and practice. This includes how international conferences are organised.
Power and responsibility. "Because the scientific and professional judgments and actions of psychologists can affect the lives of others, they are mindful of and guard against personal, financial, social, organisational or political factors that could lead to abuse of their influence." "[Psychologists] are aware of their professional and scientific responsibilities to society and the specific communities in which they work. Psychologists ... take appropriate responsibility for their behaviour..." These sentences suggest that psychologists should consider all positive and negative impacts of their research activities on other people. Greenhouse gas emissions from flights to conferences have an indirect impact on people living in poverty in developing countries.
Honesty and public engagement. "[Psychologists] strive to help the public make informed judgements and decisions about human behaviour." This point implies that one should speak honestly about major current social or global problems such as racism and climate change. Thehe importance of such issues should not be denied or pretended to be unimportant.
Non-discrimination. "Psychologists respect the dignity and worth of all people..." "Psychologists are aware of and respect cultural, individual, and role differences, including those based on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status..." "Psychologists do not engage in unfair discrimination in their professional practice based on... (same list)." It can be concluded from this that psychologists should strive to include colleagues from financially less privileged countries equally in their research and teaching programmes - also in the context of international conferences.
Justice. "Psychologists exercise sound judgement and take precautions to ensure that their potential biases, the limits of their competence and the boundaries of their expertise do not lead to or condone unjust practices." Racism and emissions that cause climate change are examples of "unjust practices". Both problems are mainly caused by rich or white people, while the negative consequences are mainly felt by poor or black people. Psychologists should, within their sphere of influence, try to reduce the effects of racism and climate change.
Psychology and climate change. The APA has also published a detailed report on the psychological impacts of climate change: APA (2011). Psychology and global climate change.