Care Protocol

The Global Summit to End Diabetes Stigma will be a unique event to share lived experience stories, scientific research, impactful initiatives, successes, challenges, and opportunities. At the heart of the Summit will be respecting and learning from people with lived experience of all types of diabetes.

We hope, with your help, to deliver an impactful and inspiring Summit - and to do this with care and sensitivity. We encourage everyone to take care of themselves and others when in attendance. We have provided some guidance below on the values that we ask everyone to bring to the Summit. We do this so we can work towards providing a safe experience for everyone attending.

Acknowledgement of lived experience

We acknowledge all people with lived experience of diabetes. People living with diabetes are the Why and the How of our shared endeavours to bring an end to diabetes stigma and discrimination. We respect and value their expertise and generous contributions, which inform and improve our work, to support advancements for all people affected by diabetes. It is a privilege to work with and for them.

Take the Pledge before you come

We encourage you to read through and take the Pledge to End Diabetes Stigma before you attend the Summit. We expect all attendees to behave and speak in a way that upholds the Pledge while at the Summit, as well as in conference contributions (e.g. abstracts) and related outputs after the Summit.

I / We PLEDGE to contribute pro-actively to bring an end to diabetes stigma and discrimination by:
  • Respecting people with all types of diabetes.
  • Recognising diabetes stigma exists and has harmful impacts.
  • Acknowledging and challenging my/our own prejudices about (people with) diabetes
  • Using accurate, respectful, inclusive, non-judgmental, and strengths-based language, messaging, and imagery when communicating with or about people with diabetes.
  • Avoiding and challenging fear-based messaging and imagery.
  • Condemning discrimination due to diabetes and advocating for equal treatment and support for people with diabetes.
  • Encouraging initiatives, policies, and laws that promote equity for all people with diabetes.

By taking this pledge, I am / we are committed, from here on, to creating a more compassionate and respectful world for people with diabetes, free from diabetes stigma and discrimination, and the harms they inflict.

Take the Pledge Here.

Language matters

Please take care with the language you use at the Global Summit. Prior to attending, please read through published guidance on communicating with and about diabetes. Language guides from around the world can be found here and here. We expect all contributors and participants to use language that helps to bring an end to diabetes stigma and discrimination.

Our words need to show we CARE:
  • Curious
  • Accurate
  • Respectful
  • Empathic
Our words need to remove BIAS:
  • Blame
  • Irreverence
  • Authority
  • Stigma

Sharing personal experiences

We recognise that you may have lived or loved experience of diabetes stigma and/or discrimination. 'Lived experience' refers to your personal experiences, while 'loved experience' refers to supporting family members or friends who live with diabetes.

Some people really value sharing lived experiences and find it empowering to share their story and talk with others who have similar experiences. You might want to think in advance about what you want to share about your personal experiences - including thinking through the consequences of sharing information about yourself.

You may hear about other people's experiences, and some topics might be triggering. It can be helpful to think through in advance what will help you if that happens. This might include identifying a trusted colleague or friend to check in with, knowing where quiet spaces are located, or planning breaks between emotionally intensive sessions. Support resources and quiet reflection spaces will be available.

We ask all attendees to look after people's confidentiality and privacy, including being mindful of what is shared beyond the Summit. When sharing 'loved experience' involving others, please ensure you have their consent or protect their anonymity and confidential details.

Taking images of presentations or presenters

We welcome sharing of the conference themes on social media. You can use the hashtag #EndDiabetesStigma. We also want all Summit attendees to respect the wishes of presenters who do not want their presentation or image shared on social media. We will ask presenters to make this clear at the beginning of their presentation. If you would like to share an image and are not sure, please ask the person for their permission.

Self-care during the Global Summit

Please pace yourself when attending the Global Summit. For example, you may wish to take breaks, sit outside, go for walk or undertake breathing exercises, which can reduce any feelings of stress. Numerous people attending the Summit have lived experience of diabetes and/or healthcare qualifications and experience. Please contact one of the organising team if you need any support during the Summit.

In the lead up to the Global Summit, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you have any questions while attending the Summit, please speak with one of our team, who will be introduced at the start of the Summit.