As a young person, what can I do to end violence in school?

For far too many students around the world, violence has become an everyday lesson, but together we can change the situation and create safe environments where children and young people can live and learn without fear.

If you are a student, or a young person, you can :

• Be kind: Strike up a conversation with a shy classmate or quiet coworker. Even something small can improve someone’s day – especially if they are going through something difficult.

• Speak out: If you are worried about your or a friend’s safety, urgently speak to someone you trust – this could be a parent, teacher, close friend, older sibling, or a child helpline, which are often anonymous. You can find a full list of the Child helpline number by clicking here (external link, data charges may apply)

Remember that you are not alone. Do not keep your fears, concerns or questions to yourself. We know it can be difficult to tell another person about what is happening, because of shame or embarrassment, but you have a right to be safe! If it's difficult to talk about, try writing your experiences down and giving it to someone you trust to read or by sending/ posting/ dropping it anonymously somewhere a responsible/ trusted adult can see.

• Share your ideas: how can schools and communities be made safer for you and your friends/ fellow students:

Submit your ideas right now by by visiting this page here

• Get creative: Create your School Superhero comic to help you and your friend and fellow students feel safe to learn.

• Deepen your knowledge & take action: Use the Safe to Learn activity pack (external link, data charges may apply) to know more about the issue of violence against children and young people and create your own change projects for change:

Develop a safety charter in your school, or make a ‘paperchain of promises’ to promote safety

Do a school safety walk and a student-led action plan

Create a community map and action plan

Campaign to make schools safer in your country.

If you need guidance on how to set up a project and a team in your community you can read our “Gen2030 Future is yours” content on Internet of Good Things. You can access the Gen2030 Future is yours content by clicking here

Mark your school/ country on this Global Map (external link, data charges may apply) to demonstrate to world leaders that young people are taking action to combat violence!

Don’t let violence be an everyday lesson. Demand change to #ENDviolence in schools.