Watch above: The second annual forum against bullying and cyberbullying was held in Saskatoon on Wednesday. Aaron Streck says students from across the province believe the solution is about listening, understanding and accepting.
SASKATOON – Bullying is a worldwide issue, one high school students from around Saskatchewan addressed Wednesday at the second annual anti-bullying forum. Around 150 students from all corners of the province shared their experiences, brainstormed ideas and addressed possible solutions to stop the pervasive issue.
“You get a wide variety of perspectives and different ideas from different schools about how issues are different throughout the province,” said Hannah Wildman, a student from Marengo High School.
“We know just how important it is a united voice against bullying in Saskatchewan,” said Saskatoon-Greystone MLA Rob Norris.
Bullying has many faces, including cyberbullying.
“I think it can be fixed just if everyone’s willing to accept others and not pull at peoples differences pull them apart,” said Anna Little, a student from Holy Cross High School.
Youth leaders were nominated to participate in the second annual Student First Anti-Bullying forum.
“We know that it’s going to take united action and today’s a good indication that there’s a united voice speaking up against bullying,” said Norris.
The forum is one of the recommendations outlined in Saskatchewan’s action plan to address bullying.
“I think it would be a good thing for school divisions to have division-wide anti-bullying policies so that each school doesn’t have to deal with it individually,” said Wildman.
“Just that everyone accepts others for whom they are and we can all be open to everyone’s ideas and thoughts,” said Little.
Organizers say putting a stop to bullying isn’t going to happen overnight but changing the culture can start today. It’s the hope the leaders of tomorrow who gathered in Saskatoon will be the ones to put the wheels in motion.
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