Prevention and combating of school violence The Greek Ombudsman Department of Children’s Rights ENOC 16th Annual Conference Nicosia, Cyprus, October 2012

Activities of the Greek Children’s Ombudsman on school violence: Since 2003: Examination of many complaints submitted by students or parents - Mediation aiming at the protection of children’s rights. Discussing the issue with groups of students or teachers. Listening, informing and advising. Collaborating with researchers - specialists Investigating good practices for the prevention and combating of school violence Making specific proposals to the government Promoting dialogue and exchange of information among schools

Recording Good Practices  During 2010 the Ombudsman invited secondary schools to report if they had developed programmes to prevent and tackle violence between students, that could be considered as “Good Practices”.  43 schools responded and sent relevant information.  2 meetings were organised in Athens and Thessaloniki with students of schools that had implemented such programmes  School presentations were uploaded in  Findings were discussed with members of the Ombudsman Youth Advisory Panel  The Ombudsman contributed to a relevant publication by the National Committee on Human Rights

The Ombudsman discussed the issue of school violence with groups of students in various parts of Greece

Report to the Ministry and circular  The Ombudsman sent a report of his findings and proposals to the Ministry of Education: “Measures for the prevention and tackling of violence between pupils”  The report was followed by a circular issued by the Ministry including the Ombudsman’s recommendations

The Ombudsman’s main proposals  Stress on good school climate – democratic school governance  School regulations -with the contribution of students– followed by monitoring and complaints mechanisms  Inform and sensitize students on children’s rights and on possible means of protection when violated  Train teachers. Appoint teachers as mediators / counselors.  Listen to students, involve them in handling incidents and in planning interventions  Promote peer mediation  Develop various group activities in school  Involve parents and regularly communicate with them  Holding meetings of school councils, planning and implementing activities to sensitize members of school community on school violence dimensions

National Network against school violence  The Network was established in 2011 consisting of public bodies as well as NGOs  The Ministry of Education established a Day against School Violence (6 th March) and proposed to all schools the organisation of relevant activities  A poster was sent to all schools  The Network website promoted information, videos and good practices  A group of students visited the President of the Greek Republic

Peer mediation practices in schools  Schools implementing peer mediation exchange information through seminars & networking  The Ombudsman has publicised a questionnaire, aiming at the collection of data on the conditions and experience of schools implementing peer mediation

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