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On Monday 18th July 2005, over 300 young delegates from around the country attended Actionwork’s second annual I Power I Anti–Bullying Conference for Young People and voted unanimously on a petition calling for parliament to ‘provide intensive anti-bullying training for all new teachers as part of their teacher training, and to existing teachers through intensive short programmes.’ A letter asking for this to happen has been sent to Prime Minister Tony Blair. The conference was organised by Actionwork in partnership with a unique young management group, the ‘I Power I Crew’, making it truly an event for young people by young people, along with Stoke Newington School and Project Wolf. ‘Many of us are living with bullying every day of every month of every year. We want more adults to realise that we are living in fear, we are excluded, isolated, terrorised, ignored, violently attacked, emotionally disturbed and hospitalised. We often truant to protect ourselves, and sometimes we kill ourselves because we are bullied.’ (I Power I Young Management Group) With a celebratory feel, the Conference was an exhilarating and exciting event with music, presentations, open mic spots, workshops, theatre, exhibitions and the presentation of the Damilola Taylor Young Achiever of The Year Award. Special guest speakers/performers included:
In addition, the BBC1 lunchtime news held a live interview with 15-year old Sophie, a member of the ‘I Power I Crew’, who highlighted the lack of anti-bullying knowledge held by many teachers. The Damilola Taylor Young Achiever of the Year Award winners were: 17-year old Lhamea Lall from Birmingham and 11-year old Jamal Msebele from London. Each received a cheque for £300, a silver trophy and framed certificate. Both winners have overcome extreme bullying and gone on to achieve great things in their lives. In addition to sharing ideas, raising awareness of anti-bullying strategies available and showing good-working practice, Delegates at this conference will be feeding back to their schools and community groups what they saw and learnt. 60 schools and youth groups were represented at the conference, over 300 young people attended as Delegates. It is estimated that a further 50,000 young people across the UK will benefit from feedback and discussion from the Conference. This happened despite many groups being scared off from attending due to the recent bomb attacks in London. A full evaluation report and an evaluation film of the conference will be made available soon. Please check out Anti-Bully Web for details Actionwork, established in 1990, specialises in tackling bullying, through the power of multi media and action. They make films, produce theatre and conferences and offer workshops. (www.actionwork.com). Recent clients include the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA), British Council, Department for Education and Skills (DfES), Regional and Borough Councils, Kyoto University (Japan), Dawn Center, University of London, Whitechapel Hospital, Belmarsh prison, schools and youth centres across the country. For more information about the ‘I Power I’ conference and Actionwork then please contact Andy Hickson (Conference Director) on 01934 815 163. Website: www.actionwork.com The conference was supported by the NSPCC, Citizenship Foundation, Bullying Online, The Mayor of London, and National Children’s Board (NCB). It was been funded by Bridge House Trust, Persula Foundation, Salt Express, Save The Children (London Region), Y-Speak Consultation Fund, Ethnic Media Group, Anti-Bullying Alliance and Actionwork. www.bully.org Return to Press Releases Home
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I Power I Anti-Bullying Conference for Young People Brief Press Report