Cross-posted from StopBullying.gov.
Next week, leaders of non-profit and corporate organizations engaged in anti-bullying work will join researchers, parents and students to participate in the third Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention Summit on August 6th and 7th in Washington, D.C.
The Summit is hosted by the Department of Education and will bring these groups and individuals together to discuss the successes and challenges of addressing bullying, and what needs to be done in the year to come. We’ve come a long way in the past year, but there is much to learn from the people who address bullying in the work they do day to day. It’s important for us to hear the voices of those impacted by bullying from around the country and to share the knowledge we’ve gained to stop bullying. So for the first time this year, we will be livestreaming the entire Summit and engaging the at-home audience through Twitter and Facebook.
Since we hosted the first Summit in August, 2010, attention and efforts around bullying have taken on new importance and urgency. We are starting to turn a corner from thinking of bullying as “kids being kids,” to understanding the real and serious consequences bullying may have. Although there have been many advances over the past three years, there is still much to be done. We must come together to make sure our efforts are informed by the best available research and work to protect all youth. This year, the summit will focus on three important issues:
- Supporting all students involved in bullying, including those who bully;
- Understanding the connection between bullying and suicide; and
- Encouraging youth to be more than a bystander in bullying situations.
Keynote speeches by the White House’s Roberto Rodriguez, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West will highlight and reinforce the Administration’s commitment to bullying. Remarks by Maryland’s First Lady Katie O’Malley and U.S. Congressman Mike Honda (D, CA-15) as well as a special conversation between Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President, and Cynthia Germonotta, President of the Born this Way Foundation will highlight some of the key activities being taken in the Congressional, State, and Foundation arenas.
It is up to all of us, whatever role we play in kids’ lives, to take action against bullying. As we begin the important discussions for this year’s Summit, I hope you will join us in taking a stand against bullying.
- Join the conversation on the StopBullying.gov Facebook page
Deborah Temkin is a Research and Policy Coordinator for Bullying Prevention Initiatives at the Department of Education
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Is there a written transcript of the summit?
I agree with the necessity for schools to incorporate civility, respect, and tolerance into every interaction with and between students. I disagree with the common premise that parenting is the job of the school. It takes longer and is harder to unlearn and relearn. If parents/caregivers haven’t taught and modeled empathy, civility, respect, and tolerance prior to age 6, schools have a monumental job. My child at 11 months, pointed to Nixon on TV and said, “Bad man,” after I had watched the Watergate hearings. I hadn’t realized how quickly and negatively he was picking up on my anger. Please also stop turning children into computer appendages. As a tool, fine. As teachers, horrid. Get out of classrooms and let teachers teach.
bullying is pervasive throughout our society, the workplace, the home, the church and our foreign policy. Lets start by quitting just focusing on schools and focus on the CAUSE…. BTW, a gun is the ultimate bullying tool…..Pat, seattle
i have endured high school bullying, and in my 50′s family bullying,and have seen it everywhere. I hope we can stop it.
This Bullying Prevention Summit is essential to youth and families all across the Nation. I would like to see our Community Leaders, Public School Officials and Parents continue to dialogue. Hopefully, we can establish Community Academy
Programs that will empower change and create realistic strategies that will promote
Respect, Peace and Positive Communication.
Urban Youth Advocacy Group LLC.