On February 23, 2022, the young people from the Youth Club "To be friends" in partnership with BRCY - Pernik, Municipal Youth Council - Pernik and the Center for Safe Internet organized an event dedicated to Pink T-shirt Day, focusing on school and online bullying.
The main goal of the event was to raise awareness and sensitivity of young people on the topics of bullying at school and cyberbullying, as well as to inform and involve young people in conversations about types of violence at school, ways of protection and opportunities to seek support.
The event was held on the territory of the public institution IZI TASTE, and the participants had the opportunity to participate in interesting and instructive quiz game on school bullying, enjoy music and interesting prizes. The aim was thus to stimulate the discussion on topics related to violence and to provide an interactive opportunity for participation.
In addition to the interactive competitive game, the young people took part in a specially modified by the Youth Club volunteers game of jenga, which also aimed at greater awareness of the relative level of understanding of the difference between criticism and harassment. The topic of where the line between acceptable and constructive behavior is and where we are already talking about violence is also being discussed.
Given the competitive nature of the games, there were a number of awards. The participants who won the first places received a voucher for the most delicious burgers in Pernik, prepared with great diligence by IZI TASTE.
The participants also received knowledge provided by the volunteers of BRCY - Pernik for providing first aid in case of abrasions and bleeding (possible injuries after a physical collision in and out of school). The demonstration aroused interest among young people, who in turn expressed a desire to repeat the steps to help an injured classmate (simulation).
Another strong point of the event was the "Thematic Space for Messages", where everyone present could send their message aimed at not tolerating bullying at school.
The culminating event was preceded by a series of joint initiatives by youth organizations, implemented in the online and offline space, among which: online event, organized by The Youth Panel at the Center for Safe Internet, focused on various aspects of the prevention of online violence and aggression and tackling disinformation on the Internet; conducting a series of discussions with students and teachers in schools (8 in total) on the topic of harassment and how to prevent it, as well as media appearances aimed at drawing the attention of citizens and young people to the topic and the necessary steps to build a harmonious and protected space, as a key to a school without fear of violence.
Celebrating Pink T-shirt Day reminds us that bullying at school exists and encourages us to think about how we can all stand up together - children, young people, teachers, parents, and the whole of civil society EVERY DAY. It will be good to have a friendly and good school environment, built on the basis of beautiful and harmonious relationships.
The campaign is part of the municipal annual youth plan 2022, developed in implementation of the Youth Act, in accordance with the objectives of the current National Youth Strategy (2021-2030). It is carried out in the context of one of the main priority areas of the Municipality of Pernik for the coming year, namely: 2022 - European Year of Youth.
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For twenty-two years now, the PULSE Foundation has been developing a program for prevention of violence through non-formal education, conducting youth activities, raising awareness by organizing campaigns, trainings, conferences against violence, etc.
The PULSE Foundation's prevention program aims to prevent, intervene and eliminate all forms of violence and exploitation of children so that they have a better future and in turn grow as valuable people and defenders of human rights.