A project on diversity and bullying by the “bully-free zone” Kappos Stathis, Konstantinides Vlassis, Moutsi Antonio, Solomides Ioannis and Spyridonides Petros 5o Δημοτικό Σχολείο Ηρακλείου Αττικής Υπεύθυνη Εκπαιδευτικός Αγγελική Τάκη

D is for diversity The word diversity refers to “the fact, quality or state of being different”. Diversity is universal. It can be found everywhere in nature. It’s what makes each and every one of us unique and/or special.

Dimensions of diversity People differ in terms of

The outcomes of Prejudice and Fear Prejudice and fear of diversity and difference lead to Xenophobia, Discrimination, and Social Stereotyping. Xenophobia is a Greek word and refers to the “fear of the foreigner” or “fear of the Other”. Racism refers to the belief that some people are superior or better than others. Intolerance and lack of respect lead to Racism. Stereotypical thinking refers to the production and reproduction of fixed ideas about people, which are misleading or not true.

Bullying or it’s all about power. B is for Bullying. Bullying is the systematic, intentional, organized, repetitive and extended violent behavior against the “Other”. It reflects an imbalance in strength and power relationships. «Ο σχολικός εκφοβισμός αφορά την εσκεμμένη, απρόκλητη, συστηματική και επαναλαμβανόμενη βία με σκοπό την επιβολή, την καταδυνάστευση και την πρόκληση σωματικού ή ψυχικού πόνου». Bullying feeds on and is the result of xenophobia, racism, intolerance, prejudice and social stereotyping and it can take various forms. It can be verbal, physical, psychological and/or social. All these involve threats, insults, gossiping, victimization, violent behaviour, destruction of personal belongings, sexual harassment, name calling, lies, spreading rumors, teasing, hitting, isolation, abuse and cyber bullying.

Bystanders, victims and victimizers. A vicious circle of violence or which side are you on.. Victimizers: The victimizers or bullies are usually aggressive and/or hostile individuals with poor social and communication skills. They can be manipulative and are characterized by a lack of empathy. Victims: The victims are usually labeled as weak, shy, silent and introverted children with low self-esteem and high levels of anxiety. Bystanders: The bystanders can assume various roles in this circle of violence. They can either align with the bully and reinforce such incidents, remain neutral or assume a protective role and defend the victim.

What about Greece? Τι λένε οι αριθμοί? Στην Ελλάδα Το 15% των μαθητών πέφτουν θύματα διαφόρων μορφών εκφοβισμού στο σχολείο. Οι θύτες ξεπερνούν το 5% του συνόλου των μαθητών. Τα περιστατικά βίας στο σχολείο εκδηλώνονται με μεγαλύτερη συχνότητα στο δημοτικό και κορυφώνονται στο γυμνάσιο. Οι μισοί από τους μαθητές θύματα δεν αναφέρουν πουθενά το γεγονός.

What to do! Be informed! Take action against racism and discrimination of any kind. Stand up. Speak out. Share yours thoughts and emotions and listen carefully to the Other. Reach out to Otherness and keep in mind that everybody has a right to self assertion. Open up. Don’t ever forget that the creation of a fairer, a more just, democratic and bully free world is up to us. Me, you, everybody! You can make a difference. You can start now! EMBRACE THE DIFFERENT AND NEVER BE INDIFFERENT

Βιβλιογραφία Τσιάντης, Ι., Ασημόπουλος, Χ., & Τσιάντης, Α.Κ. (2013). Stop! Στην Ενδοσχολική Βία. Δραστηριότητες στο Δημοτικό Σχολείο για την Πρόληψη του Εκφοβισμού και της Βίας μεταξύ των μαθητών. Αθήνα: Ε.Ψ.Υ.Π.Ε.