“Another step towards making Dublin a bully-free city” says Lord Mayor
Dublin has secured a bid to host the most significant global event focused on tackling bullying and harassment of young people.
In a competitive process led by the National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre at Dublin City University, the World Anti-Bullying Forum will take place in Dublin City University on 4 – 6 June, 2019.
It is expected to attract over 700 practitioners, academics and anyone with an interest in understanding and tackling bullying.
Internationally recognised experts will share knowledge and new perspectives on topics such as cyberbullying, diversity, sexting, online safety, and other forms of inhumane actions and violence among children and youth.
The successful bid was supported by Ardmhéara Bhaile Atha Cliath/Lord Mayor of Dublin Mícheál Mac Donncha Lord Mayor of Dublin, the Department of Education and Skills and Fáilte Ireland.
Speaking at the launch, Ardmhéara Bhaile Atha Cliath/Lord Mayor of Dublin Mícheál Mac Donncha, said:
“The City of Dublin is delighted to host the World Anti-Bullying Forum in 2019 in partnership with DCU and the National Anti-Bullying Research & Resource Centre.
We already know that the City of Dublin is one of the safest cities in the world and we are hoping that by hosting the WABF here in 2019 it will be another step towards making the Dublin a bully-free city.
Much bullying behaviour relates to a lack of tolerance for difference Dublin is a city of many cultures, faiths and ways of life and so we hope that with so many experts coming from all over the world we will be able to learn more about how to promote tolerance of difference in our city.”
This unique forum was initiated by Friends International Center against Bullying, the first of which took place in Stockholm in 2017 with 550 delegates from 37 countries.
The second forum will be organised by the National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre at Dublin City University in collaboration with the US-based International Bullying Prevention Association.
“The forum will emphasize the importance of cross-national dialogues and create a stronger bridge between different scientific disciplines, as well as between research and practitioners, to make the best-known knowledge used where it really creates change for children and youth”, says Jacob Flärdh Aspegren, Head of the World Anti-Bullying Forum.
James O’Higgins Norman, director of the National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre at DCU added:
“We are delighted to have won the bid to host the next World Anti-Bullying Forum at DCU and we are very excited because we have already secured some of the leading international experts on bullying and related issues.
Bullying is a universal problem and so we have invited experts from every corner of the globe who will help us to deepen our knowledge and expand our skills in tackling bullying among children and young people.
Given the current geo-political context it makes sense to focus on bullying and victimisation among children and younger people in the hope that if we can tackle bullying and cyberbullying with them then this will have a long-term impact on societies around the globe.”
Supporting organisations of WABF2019 include ISPCC, Florida Atlantic University, McAfee, and Facebook.
For further information visit www.wabf2019.com
