13th INTERAMERICAN REGIONAL CONFERENCE

Conference venue

The Conference and all related meetings will be held at the

Hotel Tequendama
Carrera 10 Nº 26-21, 110311, Bogotá
https://www.tequendamahotel.com/

Airport transfers

Ground transportation is the responsibility of participants.

We recommend using the official airport transport services.

For a taxi the approximate prices are:

Day = 35.000 Colombian Pesos = USD 10
Night = 50.000 Colombian Pesos = USD 15

Meals

Lunches will be included in the IAMRECON and related meetings at Hotel Tequendama.
Coffee breaks will be included in the IAMRECON and related meetings at Hotel Tequendama.
Dinners will be the responsibility of the respective original organisations. There are several restaurants close to the Hotel Tequendama with different prices.

Accommodation

Delegates and observers from the Caribbean | THOSE WHO SENT THEIR FLIGHTS TO PSI (to Marcia Cristine marcia.cristine@world-psi.org) have reservations guaranteed at the Hotel Tequendama.
Canada – USA | Participants are responsible for their hotel reservations.
Guests from PSI affiliates | Hotel reservations are the responsibility of guests.

During the Conference

Hotel Tequendama is a commercial establishment and not exclusive to PSI. Take care of your phone, computer and personal belongings. Photo identification will be required to collect simultaneous interpretation equipment.

Contacts

For any questions, contact your Subregional Secretary.

Weather

Bogotá is generally colder than other cities in the region. In November, temperatures in Bogotá usually vary between a maximum of approximately 18°C and a minimum of 9°C.

Currency

The official currency of Colombia is the Colombian Peso (COP).

The rate can be checked at https://www.oanda.com

Phone

Country Prefix: +57
+601: national prefix
+60+4+ Number: from cell phone to cell phone

Electronic devices

Be sure to bring an outlet or adapter for international travel. There are two types of plugs for electrical outlets in Colombia:

The common voltage is 110 V. The frequency is 60 Hz. The sockets used in Colombia are type A and B.

Health & Vaccination

The International Yellow Fever Certificate will be required for travelers traveling to or returning from the following countries: Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Brazil. Likewise, for national or international travelers heading to endemic areas in Colombia.

We recommend that each participant check their country's health requirements to enter Colombia.

Medical insurance

PSI does not provide or cover any travel and/or health insurance for participants and accepts no responsibility for medical problems or other losses incurred during round-trip travel, or while participating in IAMRECON. All participants are strongly recommended to take out adequate travel and health insurance to provide this coverage.

Participants with chronic health problems and who take medication regularly must bring sufficient quantities to last the entire conference period. Once again, it is highly recommended that you take out adequate health insurance to cover your visit.

In case of problems, please contact the PSI team at any time.

Security

Like any capital in the region, it cannot be said that Bogotá is completely
safe. Although it cannot be generalized, Bogotá is a city with security problems, so some basic precautions must be taken. The most frequent crime is opportunistic theft, especially at night. Please walk together and be careful when taking photos with your phones. Also pay attention to digital crimes (card cloning or computer theft of credit card numbers, for example).

If necessary: National Police (for the whole country): 112

Violence and Harassment Guide

Making IAMRECON 2024 a space of unity in diversity, respect for differences and freedom from violence and harassment

Preamble and statement of principles

Solidarity is the foundation of our movement. Any conduct which undermines that solidarity undermines our unity. Violence and harassment contradict our values of equality and justice.

PSI Inter-America is committed to respecting the integrity of every person. We condemn any form of violence and harassment, including actions and behaviour based on gender, race, ethnicity, caste or national origin, immigration status, colour, religion, political belief, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or sexual characteristics, appearance, social status or economic background, education or profession, or family status. We understand that these identities, situations and characteristics are intersectional. They can be used to jeopardise our collective strength as workers.

Our aim is to foster a safe, respectful and secure environment and to prevent unacceptable acts and behaviour, and to establish a process to respond to incidents of violence and harassment.

We call on PSI global leadership, IAMREC, IAMWOC, Regional Committees, PSI staff, delegates, observers, guests, companions, Hotel Tequendama staff, suppliers participating in all events and activities related to IAMRECON 2024 to commit to and respect these principles, including online and on social media.

What is violence and harassment?

These guidelines are informed by the International Labour Organisation Convention 190 and Recommendation 206, which define violence and harassment as “a range of unacceptable behaviours and practices, or threats thereof, whether a single occurrence or repeated, that aims at, result in, or are likely to result in physical, psychological, sexual, or economic harm, and includes gender-based violence and harassment”. Gender-based violence and harassment is directed at persons because of their sex or gender or affects persons of a particular sex or gender disproportionately and includes sexual harassment.

Prevention

PSI will provide every IAMRECON participant with this guide and will post it in the most visible places before and during the Conference. The guidelines will also be provided to Hotel Tequendama staff, contracted suppliers and service providers.

The statement of principles will be read aloud at the opening of the Conference and at the opening of each of the IAMRECON pre- and parallel meetings.

All IAMRECON participants have an active role and responsibility in promoting the principles of respect for diversity, unity in difference and maintaining an environment free of violence and harassment.

Complaint process

In the event of any acts of violence and harassment, IAMRECON will address and resolve them in the following manner:

Any participant may file a complaint confidentially by speaking to one of the persons designated by the IAMRECON Standing Orders Committee (SOC) as part of the ad hoc Committee, by emailing VHC@world-psi.org, by calling the 24-hour WhatsApp hotline + 57 310-4487252, or by sending a written and stamped letter to the IAMRECON Office at the site marked “Attention: Cases”.
Anonymous complaints cannot be considered.
Complaints should include the facts of the incident(s), including the complainant’s name and contact information, the respondent’s name, the date(s), time(s), and location(s) of the alleged incidents, and the names of any witnesses.
Complaints will be referred to an ad hoc committee of five persons appointed by the Standing Orders Committee (SOC). Any members of the ad hoc committee that have a conflict of interest in the case will excuse themselves or may be substituted by the SOC.
The ad hoc committee will investigate the complaint, observing the principles of confidentiality, due process and natural justice, procedural transparency, the protection of whistleblowers, including complainants and witnesses, timely resolution, and the safety and psychosocial well-being of those involved. The committee will take steps to prevent the re-victimisation of complainants.
The ad hoc committee may recommend that the SOC initiate appropriate interim precautionary or mitigating measures to ensure a safe environment.
The ad hoc committee will make recommendations to resolve the complaint to the SOC.
The SOC will determine appropriate remedies or sanctions, including a verbal or written reprimand, immediate suspension from participation in IAMRECON, prohibition from participation in future PSI activities, and other measures. The resolution determined by the SOC is considered binding and final on PSI.
The ad hoc committee will be established at the beginning of IAMRECON and will last until the end of IAMRECON. The SOC will submit a final report to IAMREC of the cases dealt with and those pending for IAMREC to determine the procedure to be followed.
In cases there are events occurred during IAMRECON and complaints are submitted after IAMRECON, these will be dealt with by IAMREC, up to a period of one month after the end of IAMRECON (December 15, 2024).
PSI's internal processes and resolutions are the absolute responsibility of the organization, notwithstanding the fact that the persons involved may want to take them independently of PSI to judicial instances, processes in which PSI will have no role to play.

Guide approved by IAMREC 26 September 2024