The position that "we are a small country and only together, only united can we move forward," has been expressed by John Christodoulou, Founder of the Yianis Christodoulou Foundation, who also emphasised that everyone - parents, teachers, state and society - shares the responsibility for addressing school bullying.
In a packed room, as part of a Press Conference for the official presentation of the Pancyprian Student Video Competition 'Together We Stop Bullying', the businessman said that he had last year asked what more he could do to help children in Cyprus and what other challenges they face in schools. As he said, the answer he received was clear: "Along with drugs, the biggest problem is bullying".
"That is, our children harming themselves and each other... This saddened me greatly," he noted.
The Conference was organized by the Yianis Christodoulou Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth and MHV Group.
Christodoulou referred to his deep connection with Cyprus, saying, “I was born and lived in Cyprus until the age of nine. My mind and my heart are always in Cyprus.” As he mentioned, over 100 projects have been implemented through the Foundation, mainly in schools - gyms, music workshops, stadiums and other infrastructure - adding that he always tries to help Cyprus in any way he can.
He placed particular emphasis on the fact that “if our children grow up hurting each other, what kind of society will they build tomorrow?” He even warned that “if we let it, bullying will not stop when school ends,” noting that it can continue into adulthood.
Addressing the children who attended the event, he sent a specific message:
"To succeed in life, always think positively, have big dreams, never give up, and have good friends. Don't waste your energy doing harm to each other." As he underlined, "you don't succeed in life when you have negative energy and malice in your mind."
At the same time, he called on everyone to encourage children to speak openly about bullying, help victims feel safe and create environments of respect. "The way we teach our children today, is how they will treat each other when they grow up. This is how we will build society," he said.
Asking the question "What do we want? A society of love and unity or a society of toxicity with bullying?," he clarified that the goal is "schools without fear, children with self-confidence, a society with unity. It is in our hands, all of us together."
About the Competition
The Pancyprian Student Video Competition 'Together We Stop Bullying' aims to inform and raise awareness about the important issue of school bullying.
The competition is aimed at pupils from public and private elementary, middle, high and technical schools and aims to enhance empathy, collaboration and creative expression among young people through video production.
The initiative is accompanied by prizes worth a total of €100,000, which will be used to upgrade the school units that will be distinguished through the competition.
The Yianis Christodoulou Foundation's main purpose is to enhance the education of children in underprivileged areas and orphanages, with the aim, as it advocates, of positively influencing tomorrow's society through the education of the new generation today. The Foundation implements projects with an emphasis on efficiency, detail and cost control, so that resources are utilised in the best possible way.
(Source: InBusinessNews)
