Safeguarding

01Report a concern

If anything at WAIIS or on MBI Nexus makes you or someone else feel unsafe, tell us. Reports sent here go only to MBI's safeguarding lead.

You can send a report anonymously. Your name is then not attached to it, and the safeguarding lead cannot contact you about it. You can also tell any steward or MBI staff member, who will pass your concern on. If someone is in immediate danger, contact the police first.

It helps to include:

• what happened, in your own words;
• when and where it happened, if you know;
• who was involved, if you know;
• whether anyone is still at risk.

02Who this policy covers

This policy applies to everyone taking part in the WAIIS 2026 youth programme run by the Maada Bio Institute for Human Capital Development (MBI): delegates, MBI staff, volunteers, stewards, mentors, reviewers and partners. It covers MBI Nexus and every programme activity, online and in person, before, during and after the Summit.

03Our commitment

Everyone taking part has the right to be safe and to be treated with dignity, whatever their age, sex, disability, ethnicity, religion or background. Nobody should experience abuse, exploitation, harassment or bullying of any kind.

MBI will:

• appoint a safeguarding lead, responsible for this policy and for responding to every concern;
• give everyone clear, confidential ways to raise a concern, including anonymously;
• take every concern seriously and respond promptly;
• share information about a concern only with those who need it to keep someone safe;
• expect everyone working on the programme to follow the code of behaviour below;
• support anyone who raises a concern in good faith, and never treat them unfairly for doing so.

04The law we follow

This policy follows Sierra Leone law, including the Child Rights Act, 2007 (as amended or replaced), and the Sexual Offences Act, 2012, as amended in 2019, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Anyone under 18 is a child under Sierra Leone law, and any concern about a child is acted on as a priority.

05What counts as a concern

Anything that makes you or someone else feel unsafe, including:

• physical, emotional or sexual abuse;
• sexual harassment, or pressure for a relationship from someone with a role in the programme;
• bullying, threats or discrimination, in person or online;
• exploitation, including being asked for money or favours in return for a place, a vote or an opportunity;
• someone sharing another person's private information or images without permission.

06What happens next

Nobody but MBI's safeguarding lead can read a report sent through MBI Nexus, administrators included. The safeguarding lead reviews every report, decides what action is needed, and contacts you if you gave your name.

Where someone is at risk of serious harm, or the law requires it, the safeguarding lead may share information with the police or child protection services.

07Code of behaviour

Everyone taking part is expected to:

• treat others with respect, online and in person;
• never harass, bully, threaten or discriminate against anyone;
• never seek a romantic or sexual relationship with a delegate while holding a role in the programme;
• never offer or ask for money, gifts or favours in return for a place, a vote, a score or an opportunity;
• keep other people's personal information and images private;
• report any concern about someone's safety.

08Review

MBI reviews this policy every year, and after any serious incident.