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ZRS Koper Representatives at International Conference on Bullying and Violence Among Minors

Published 19. December, 2024

Representatives of the Science and Research Centre Koper (ZRS Koper), Dr. Blaž Lenarčič and Tea Gombač, participated in the International Conference “Preventing and Addressing Bullying and Violence Among Minors” within the framework of the project HUMAN – Digital Hate Interrupter Activism to combat structural racism promoting inter-community cooperation through digital technologies (101144478). Conference was organized by the European Antibullying Network and “The Smile of the Child.”

The conference took place on Tuesday, 3 December, at the Novotel Athens Hotel in Athens, Greece. It gathered over 100 participants from across Europe, including educators, civil society actors, state authorities, and other stakeholders from countries such as Croatia, Cyprus, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.

Dr. Blaž Lenarčič, Researcher at ZRS Koper, presented on the topic “Establishing School Counselling Offices in Slovenian Schools to Combat Violence and Related Challenges.” He discussed a pilot project implemented in two Slovenian schools, which introduced an information office staffed by three psychologists providing 8 hours of counseling weekly. The initiative, which also included workshops and activities for children and parents, was well-received and showcased a promising approach to reducing violence among children.

The conference aimed to address key issues related to bullying and violence among minors, including:

  1. Understanding the differences and connections between bullying and violence.
  2. Emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach.
  3. Highlighting the role of prevention within families, schools, and society.
  4. Presenting the current situation and challenges across Europe and beyond.
  5. Sharing good practices and insights from international experiences.
  6. Exploring the evolving nature of these phenomena and strategies for prevention and management.

ZRS Koper is proud to contribute to this vital dialogue, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based practices and collaboration in addressing these pressing social challenges.

The following day, ZRS Koper representatives also attended a TPC meeting as part of the HUMAN Project to follow up on ongoing activities and plan future steps.