Students from 14 schools around the nation, including seven from the Gold Coast, came together to promote anti-bullying strategies on Australia’s inaugural National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence, Friday, March 18.
The schools joined the ‘One Goal, One Community: Moving beyond bullying and empowering for life’ initiative, which was launched in 2010 as part of a business subject at Bond University.
The now global initiative has collected more than 23 000 signatures in support of anti-bullying from 24 of the participating schools spanning two continents.
At the core of the initiative is the belief that university students should play a lead role in educating younger students on how to prevent bullying. This in turn helps community members understand bullying and their roles in preventing it.
The concept is simple and effective: university students present to primary and secondary school students to increase their awareness of issues related to bullying. The students are then asked to sign a pledge stating they will engage in positive anti-bullying behaviours and are given a wristband as a visible sign of that commitment.
Students are then encouraged to become ‘agents of change’ by talking with parents, friends, neighbours, businesses and other community members and encouraging them to also commit to the campaign.
Schools that joined the cause include: Coolangatta State School, Palm Beach State School, Elanora State School, Tallebudgera State School, Varsity College and St. Andrew's Lutheran College.
For more information about the ‘One Goal, One Community: Moving beyond bullying and empowering for life’ initiative or to get involved, please contact Dr Amy Kenworthy, Associate Professor of Management on email [email protected].