Respect: New project for non -violence at ten other Viennese schools

Respect: New project for non -violence at ten other Viennese schools

In Vienna, the project "Respect: stronger together" will be introduced at ten other schools this year. The aim of this program is to promote a respectful and fear -free school culture, and it should ensure that around 13,000 pupils benefit from the initiatives at a total of 20 school locations.

new schools include the open WMS Kleine Sperlgasse, the MMS Dietrichgasse Music Middle School and the Middle School Kölblgasse. The aim of this project is to welcome all students regardless of gender, origin or sexual orientation and to offer them a positive school environment.

no space for bullying

Under the direction of the Vienna Youth Center Association, external experts work closely with the schools. This support extends over a year to promote a strong community and a positive culture in schools. Vice Mayor Christoph Return (NEOS) emphasizes the importance of leaving no space to leave discrimination, bullying and prejudices in the classrooms. The workshops are a central component of this approach to guarantee a pleasant school environment.

Kathrin Gaál, Vice Mayor and City Councilor, emphasizes that equal coexistence should be promoted at a young age. The project aims to strengthen girls in particular and give them the opportunity to recognize their rights and opportunities. Overhauled role models are to be broken up in the classes to create a fairer school atmosphere.

The procedure is clearly structured: At the beginning of the school year there is a comprehensive coordination with the school management and teachers. The aim is to work out the specific needs of the school and to develop an individual program based on this. This is followed by regular workshops that address social skills and violence prevention and strengthen the class community.

So far, 83 percent of teachers and 90 percent of the students have positively rated the workshops carried out, which underlines the effectiveness of the program.

The importance of such projects cannot be assessed highly enough, since it lay the foundation for a respectful and harmonious school culture that is an advantage for everyone involved. More information on this topic can be found in a report www.meinbezirk.at .