Tech & Rights

Tackling Violence in Croatia's Schools

Prevention of peer violence among youth in Croatia is still ignored by relevant institutions, the media and local communities.

by Centre for Peace Studies - Croatia

As a follow-up to Centre for Peace Studies's research on youth peer violence and the work with teachers and students, 18 primary and secondary schools in Croatia organized small campaigns focusing on violence-prevention and the promotion of non-violence and youth activism during December 2014. Activities were diverse and directly inspired by the results of the research. All of the campaigns were designed and conducted by students, helped by the schools' staff and many of the campaigns focused on the prevention of cyber bullying - a trend that is on the rise among the young. Campaign activities span from workshops held by students, smaller community awareness actions, exhibitions, school twinning, the making of films and other visual materials, participatory development of school conduct agreements and musicals.

The research showed that the rising economic gap and the growing social distance among students is often a motive of peer violence - therefore it was especially important to launch this campaign during the Christmas period. On December 2, a primary school in Gospić (Lika-Senj County in the interior of Croatia) performed a musical in the town's cinema for the local public. More than 50 students were involved in the musical, which tackled violence towards poor students. In front of the whole town, they demonstrated how to transform conflict in a constructive way.

School activities are part of the broader Centre for Peace Studies national campaign "Violence leaves marks – Ring for Non-violence!".

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