Bullying and well-being
The objective of The Mary Foundation is to prevent social isolation and help those who are socially isolated, to encourage tolerance and understanding of diversity, and to create hope. In order to help in the prevention and reduction of bullying among children, The Mary Foundation and Save the Children Denmark decided to work closely together.
In March 2008, The Mary Foundation launched its first project aimed at preventing and reducing bullying. The project “Fri for Mobberi” (Free of Bullying) was further developed to also include school children and is the outcome of a collaboration with Save the Children Denmark. Today, “Fri for Mobberi” forms part of a nationwide campaign launched by the Danish Ministry of Education.
On the initiative of Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary, The Mary Foundation and Save the Children Denmark offer preschools throughout the country a flexible framework designed to reduce the incidence of bullying in schools and to help create a safe and happy school environment. The project “Fri for Mobberi” builds on four values; “tolerance, respect, care and courage” and offers a broad range of activities and ideas for children, teachers and parents, presented in a practical carry-case.
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”The Mary Foundation’s choice of bullying as one of our first focus areas has been acknowledged by experts who work, in a broad context, with marginalized groups. Research and experience supports the assumption that the personal and social consequences of bullying will be reduced, the earlier the efforts are made to prevent it. Therefore, the earlier we teach our children to show tolerance, respect and care for each other in their daily interaction, the better”, says Crown Princess Mary.
”I feel very strongly that everybody has the right to belong. And that every child has the right to a happy and secure childhood. Far too many children are bullied in our schools, and it has a damaging effect on the lives and the future of these children. It is the hope of The Mary Foundation that the project “Fri for Mobberi” will help generate positive results and provide our children with the best possible environment and opportunities to grow and develop”, the Crown Princess elaborates.
The concept “Fri for Mobberi”, which is followed closely by a professional team of researchers from Roskilde University, was introduced to Denmark by Crown Princess Mary. The programme is inspired by the “Better Buddies” programme initiated by the Australian organisation The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, for whom the Crown Princess is international patron.
Other activities directly related to the programme Fri for Mobberi include:
- An activities day where the main event is a children´s relay race. This activities day is held in both Aarhus and Copenhagen, the two major cities in Denmark.
- A conference focused on rendering inspiration and information on initiatives against bullying already at preschool and school level is held once a year in both Aarhus and Copenhagen, the two major cities in Denmark.
Read the press release on The Mary Foundation and Save the Children Denmark focus on bullying and well-being among children.
