United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Thursday 5 November, 2020 This International Day, declared by UNESCO in 2019, aims to eliminate violence and bullying at school including cyberbullying, so that all children and young people can fulfil their right to education, health and well-being. It is high time to genuinely address the root causes of violence and promote a culture of respect for students and of zero tolerance to violence. Each year, the International Day will be observed on the first Thursday of November. It calls all countries, organizations and people to come together with the common purpose of ensuring schools are free from fear and violence. Together against bullying in school International Day against Violence and Bullying at School including Cyberbullying One out of every three students is bullied in some form by their peers. V o ro b y e v a /S h u tt e rs to c k .c o m2020 Theme: Together against bullying at school Bullying affects students of all ages, in all countries and regions across the world. The evidence reveals that almost one in three students have been bullied in the past month, making it the most prevalent form of violence in schools. One in ten students has been cyberbullied, and this form of bullying is on the rise. As the devastating COVID-19 pandemic has made its way around the world in 2020, more students than ever before are living, learning and socializing online. This unprecedented increase in screen time and the merging of online and offline worlds has heightened their vulnerability to bullying and cyberbullying. The consequences are serious. Children who are frequently bullied are nearly three times more likely to feel like an outsider at school and more than twice as likely to miss school as those who are not frequently bullied. They have worse educational outcomes than their peers and are also more likely to leave formal education after finishing secondary school. Bullying is associated with serious health consequences. Students who are bullied are around twice as likely to feel lonely, to be unable to sleep at night and to have contemplated suicide as those who are not bullied. Bullying is defined as aggressive behaviour that involves unwanted, negative actions repeated over time and an imbalance of power or strength between the perpetrators and the victims. How does bullying relate to school violence? School violence describes all physical, psychological and sexual violence that happens in and around school. It mostly takes place between students, but in rare circumstances can be perpetrated by teachers or other school staff against students. It’s not only the victims who are affected by violence and bullying at school including cyberbullying. The whole school community is affected. Poor discipline and an unsafe school environment translate to lower academic achievement overall. What can be done to end violence and bullying at school including cyberbullying? Too many people think bullying at school including cyberbullying is a normal and harmless rite of passage to adulthood and that little can be done to stop it. Instead, there is strong evidence that violence and bullying at school including cyberbullying has very negative effects on everyone and can be prevented. No student should live in fear of going to school. Many countries around the world have made great progress in reducing school violence and bullying, and there are many similarities in how they have responded to the issue. The responses are evidence based; and include political leadership and robust policy frameworks, curricula that promote a caring school climate, and training for teachers. The provision of safe physical and psychological school environments has also played a key role in their success, including mechanisms to report bullying and support for affected students. Everyone who is a part of the school community including parents, have been involved and empowered. How can you mark the event? All countries, organizations and people around the world can support the International Day by holding events and activities around this year’s theme – Together against bullying at school. Resources will be available on UNESCO’s web page for the International Day, including: ƒ Background information about the 2020 International Day ƒ Resources on the scope, nature and consequences of school bullying ƒ Animated videos ƒ Video testimonials from Ministers, students, parents, teachers and other school staff ƒ Social media graphics and messages More information https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/ dayagainstschoolviolenceandbullying [email protected] @UNESCO #StopBullying ED /P SD /H A E/ 20 20 /0 4