Changemakers Cluj Training: Tools for Addressing Bullying in Schools in Cluj
On the 3rd of October, PATRIR organized a 1-day (offline) training program in Cluj-Napoca which consisted of a practical workshop with tools and exchange of experiences, based on case studies and best practices, with the purpose of involving young people in addressing bullying in schools. The event was part of the DO ONE BRAVE THING – D.O.B.T. and it was just one in a series of future trainings within the same project. Learn more about the event here.
Bullying is on the rise in schools in Romania and even here in our Cluj community. Every day, painful words are said so easily: “you are a four-eyed stove, fat, dwarf, nerdy.” Does any of these sound familiar? Bullying can have a significant impact on people’s lives, even on aggressors.
The aim of the workshop was to provide the theoretical knowledge, concepts and tools for identifying bullying, aggression and hatred, but also practical skills in responding to and combating these phenomena. The participants had the opportunity to understand the psychological dimensions and impact of bullying for all parties involved, while also having access to free educational resources on a variety of tools, guides, videos produced within the Do One Brave Thing project, but also to inspirational and useful/practical experience for a job, especially within NGOs and the institute dealing with civil society issues.
In addition to gaining new skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, time management, we also developed together three campaigns:
1. A school based campaign where we will work with schools and universities in Cluj to reach more than 3000 children, students and youth;
2. An online and community-based national awareness-raising campaign to raise awareness on bullying, it’s impacts and what we can do to prevent and address it;
3. And the creation of a community action group in Cluj to bring together the City Hall of Cluj-Napioca, schools, teachers, students, parents, NGOs and others to come up with short, medium and long-term measures to prevent bullying and violence and to promote Cluj as a child and youth-friendly city.
The participants are now belonging to a community of young people, organizations and practitioners who work to actively address and find solutions in combating bullying in Cluj.
We would like to thank especially to Maria Dofeldt and the fantastic CoachCompanion Romania offices in Cluj for lending us their space and being an ally, friend and supporter in this important work.
If you want to know more about DO ONE BRAVE THING project, you can find the resources provided and information on the official website www.onebravething.eu.