Measures to prevent and tackle bullying, based on children's opinions and involvement. The role of ombudspersons. George Moschos, Children’s Ombudsman of Greece, Member of ENOC Bureau

Ombudspersons around Europe deal with school violence and in particular with bullying, mainly in 4 different ways: By listening to children and discussing with them about the way it affects their lives By mediating to help resolving particular incidents of violence taking place in schools, prioritizing the respect of children’s rights By networking, collecting and disseminating scientific data and effective practices in dealing with school violence By introducing policies and measures that need to be taken by governments and local authorities to prevent and tackle the phenomenon

ENOC has stressed the importance of implementing the recommendations of the UN Study on Violence against children …….taking especially into account the finding that “the most effective anti-bullying programmes are rights-based and child centred”. Thus, in discussions and proposals about handling school violence, the Ombudspersons stress upon the consideration of children’s views and involvement in planning and implementing policies and particular measures taken in schools.

The work of the Greek Ombudsman in the field After 7 years of experience in dealing with school violence cases and issues, the Ombudsman tried to investigate good practices taking place in schools around the country. After collecting relevant information, the Ombudsman organised two consultation meetings in Athens and Thessaloniki with students from secondary schools that had implemented programmes to prevent and tackle school violence. The Youth Advisory Panel of the Ombudsman participated in these meetings.

Consultation meetings with students.., …started with presentations of projects of various schools and continued with discussions among pupils on their experiences and proposals….

The Ombudsman issued a report with recommendations to the Ministry of Education The recommendations included a lot of suggestions proposed by the young people themselves The Ombudsman emphasized on the involvement of children in planning and implementing any interventions to prevent and tackle violence in schools The Ministry issued a circular, which was sent to all schools, including most proposals of the Ombudsman What is important is to provide support to schools in order to implement such proposals…

The most important issues stressed in the Greek Ombudsman’s report It is essential that a good and friendly school climate should be formed in every school, promoting communication, dialogue and trust among students and teachers. (School climate should be included among other elements to be investigated in the context of evaluation of schools, seeking also the opinion of pupils /students).

The most important issues stressed in the Greek Ombudsman’s report Clear school rules should be agreed, described in school regulations that need to be formed, regularly revised and monitored with the participation of teachers, students and parents’ representatives, including also ways to deal with school violence incidents. Complaints mechanisms should be established, regarding schools’ rules violations, securing the protection of confidence and privacy of applicants.

The most important issues stressed in the Greek Ombudsman’s report Students’ councils should be empowered, sharing responsibilities concerning the promotion of understanding and implementation of school rules and participating in resolving conflicts and crises.

The most important issues stressed in the Greek Ombudsman’s report Students should be informed and trained on the meaning of human rights and in particular of children’s rights, and guided how to exercise, defend and respect them in everyday school life. Educational programmes and experiential workshops should take place in schools, focusing on students’ social and communication skills, facilitating peaceful resolution of conflicts and training them on methods to prevent and tackle bullying.

The most important issues stressed in the Greek Ombudsman’s report Mediation procedures should be prepared and established in every school, defining the ways in which trained teachers and pupils would be involved in dealing with violent incidents. Groups of students, as peer mediators and peacemakers should be carefully established and facilitated in schools. Reconciliation and reparation should be preferred to the imposition of punishments, followed also by supporting and counselling of students and possibly their families, in order to cope with factors generating violence.

The most important issues stressed in the Greek Ombudsman’s report - Attractive group activities should develop in schools, in the fields of arts, communication, sports, environmental and other social activities, giving students the opportunity to improve their relations and to learn how to co-exist peacefully.

The most important issues stressed in the Greek Ombudsman’s report - Teachers should be trained on all aspects affecting prevention and tackling of school violence, including children’s rights and ways to promote students’ participation in school life and their involvement in resolving conflicts.

The most important issues stressed in the Greek Ombudsman’s report Parents should be informed, sensitised and invited to participate in planning and implementing activities preventing bullying and other forms of school violence. School councils, with the participation of teachers, students and parents’ representatives, should regularly meet and organise various activities and events, aiming at the prevention of violence in school and at strengthening bonds among members of the school community.

Following the proposals The Greek Ombudsman continues to work towards sensitising the general public and assisting the exchange of experiences and good practices. Already a number of schools have reported to the Ombudsman that they are attempting to introduce peer mediation in their schools and to promote changes in the lines of the disseminated proposals. The recent formation of a national “Network Against Violence in School” is expected to facilitate the strengthening of anti-bullying attitudes and programmes in a rights-based and child centred approach.

What about European Strategies? ENOC continually stresses upon the need to include in national and European strategies: the involvement of children at all stages of planning, implementing and evaluating policies and measures affecting them clear reference and promotion of UN CRC and children’s rights as defined in the Convention. Currently, ENOC is in the process of preparing a document on European policy recommendations on the implementation of children’s rights in 4 major fields (education, violence, health, internet). The document is being prepared with the involvement of ENYA (European Network of Young Advisors) and is expected to be adopted during our next annual meeting (Poland, September 2011)