Second World Anti-Bullying Forum in Dublin in 2019

“The forum will emphasize the importance of cross-national dialogues and create a stronger bridge between different scientific disciplines, as well as between research and practitioners, to make the best-known knowledge used where it really creates change for children and youth”, says Jacob Flärdh Aspegren, Head of Friends International Center against Bullying.

A number of leading international researchers and experts within the area will present their work during the conference. Some keynote presenters are Susan Swearer (US), Christina Salmivalli (FI), Dorte Marie Søndergaard (DK), Kevin Kumashiro (US), Michael Kyobe (SA), Christian Berger Silva (CL), Alan Goodboy (US), René Veenstra (NL) and Shoko Yoneyama (JP).

Friends International Center against Bullying is the initiator of the international forum, which will be arranged together with the National Anti Bullying Research and Resource Centre of the Dublin City University in Ireland and the US based International Bullying Prevention Association.

“Bullying is a universal problem and so we have invited experts from every corner of the globe who will help us to deepen our knowledge and expand our skills in tackling bullying among children and young people”, says James O’Higgins Norman, director of the National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre at DCU.

“It is critical for educators and community leaders to stay abreast of the research and strategies that promote a sense of belonging in the school and community. This conference provides these strategies and will enable participants to make a significant impact in their sphere of influence, we are proud to be a partner on this global event”, adds IBPA’s Executive Director, Lynn Lonsway.

The first World Anti-Bullying Forum took place in Stockholm, Sweden in 2017, with 550 participants from 37 countries.

Lithuanian partner organization releases remake of Friends’ commercials

Friends International Center’s partner, Vaikų linija (Child Line), has re-recorded Friends’ social commercials “Red head” and “Together” in Lithuanian settings. The commercials are now parts of a nation-wide campaign supported by the President.

– Bullying is a global problem without geographical borders. We are very content with the collaboration between Friends International Center and Vaikų Linija and this advertisement is a good example of how knowledge can be spread, across borders, says Jacob Flärdh Aspegren, Head of Friends International Center.

Friends’ Swedish commercials were released at the beginning of the 21^st century.

– We hope the advertisement will have the same great impact in Lithuania as it had when shown in Sweden, says Jacob Flärdh Aspegren.

Even though Child Line can see some positive changes in society’s attitude towards bullying, one in four children in Lithuania still suffers from bullying.

– We have to continue our work in sensitizing the society and offering ways to stop and prevent bullying. Friends social advertisement adapted to Lithuanian environment shows in delicate and at the same time powerful manners how to disapprove of bullying. We hope that these examples will encourage more people to react to bullying, says Robertas Povilantis, Director of Vaikų Linija.

The remade films will be broadcasted in national television and through outdoor commercial posters in the five largest cities in Lithuania. The Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite supports the initiative and the campaign was launched at the Swedish Embassy in Vilnius.

– For me as the Swedish Ambassador, it is lovely see how well a collaboration between a Swedish and a Lithuanian NGO can develop. They signed a collaboration agreement here at the Embassy a year ago and since then many things happened, says the Swedish Ambassador Maria Christina Lundqvist.

The collaboration between Friends International Center and Vaikų Linija continues, and in 2018 the second year of piloting the Friends program will be initiated.