Students from 5 counties in Romania have carried out a real anti-violence campaign over the last month, based on their own ideas: drawing and collage exhibitions, skits, films, posters and organized 11 events, within the framework of ACTIV: Act Against Violence, a project of Terre des hommes Romania Foundation.
We held a press conference in BUCHAREST where we presented the results of the project.
Over the past two years, the Foundation's specialists have made sure that teachers and students have a better understanding of the underlying causes of negative attitudes: social norms, stereotypes, prejudices. A total of 201 pupils aged 11-15 were involved in analysing the situation, identifying and shaping responses and implementing concrete actions. Children's Advisory Committees were then set up in each of the 15 schools targeted by the project and met monthly to discuss initiatives to combat violence and awareness-raising campaigns. Parents, school staff and community members participated in the presentation of initiatives.
In addition, 200 teachers participated in trainings to understand how they can transform the school climate into an environment that promotes respect, non-discrimination, equal opportunities and treatment.
"I brought up the subject of violence in schools because you cannot prevent what you do not know and understand. Violence is an organism in its own right and we need to fight it in innovative ways and - very importantly - consistently. We are the bearers of stories, for which the answer is simple: everyone needs help. It is our responsibility to provide it", said Ana Vlădescu, Project Manager.
Project implemented by Terre des hommes Foundation Switzerland (Romania), in partnership with the Representation in Moldova of Terre des Hommes Foundation Lausanne - Switzerland, with the financial support of Active Citizens Fund Romania, program funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through EEA Grants 2014-2021. The aim of the project is to bring about positive changes on gender-based violence in the school environment, at the level of attitude and behaviour of children, at the level of strategies to address violence by teachers, starting from a better understanding of social norms, stereotypes, prejudices underlying negative attitudes and by involving children, becoming active actors of change.
In 2022, a research on this subject was published for the first time: The most common types of violence in Romanian schools.
More details on the project website https://childrenagainstviolence.com/ro/
Thanks to the media partner of the press conference in Bucharest: ENTR, RFI.
About Active Citizens Fund Romania Program
The Active Citizens Fund Romania programme is funded by EEA Grants 2014-2021. The overall objective of the Grants is to reduce economic and social disparities and strengthen bilateral relations between the 15 beneficiary countries and the donor countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway). The programme is administered by the consortium composed of the Civil Society Development Foundation, the Partnership Foundation, the Resource Centre for Roma Communities, the PACT Foundation and Frivillighet Norge, acting as Fund Operator designated by the FMO - Office of the EEA and Norwegian Grants Financial Mechanism. Active Citizens Fund Romania aims to strengthen civil society and active citizenship and increase the capacity of vulnerable groups. With a total allocation of €46,000,000, the programme aims to develop the long-term sustainability and capacity of the civil society sector, enhancing its role in promoting democratic participation, active citizenship and human rights while strengthening bilateral relations with the donor states Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. For more information about the Active Citizens Fund in Romania, please visit https://activecitizensfund.ro/. For more information on EEA and Norwegian grants, please visit https://www.eeagrants.ro/.
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