Seminar on violence in schools held

On Monday, 14.12.2015, representatives of the Centre for Education and Research (CER) took part in a seminar organised by the Department of Social Affairs of the City of Bijeljina and the University of Bijeljina’s Youth Psychology Counselling Centre. The seminar was held at the University of Bijeljina, and its topic was “Violence in Schools – Causes, Manifestations, Prevention”.

More than 50 seminar participants—psychologists, pedagogues, social workers, teachers and professional associates working with young people, as well as representatives of the relevant institutions dealing with juvenile delinquency—had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of this topic and receive useful guidance on working with young people in situations involving violent behaviour.

The aim of the gathering was to highlight, through theoretical and practical experience, different forms of violence in schools, how to respond to violent behaviour, and ways of overcoming it.

Following opening remarks by the rector of Bijeljina University, Mr Bora Krstić, and Dragorad Vasić, a representative of the Bijeljina City Department of Social Affairs, participants had the opportunity to watch a brief presentation on the Psychological Counselling Centre’s activities to date in the field of violence prevention. This was followed by an interactive lecture on “Mediation at School – A Model for Educational Work” by Professor Slađana Anđelković and Maja Vračar, and then lectures entitled “A Look Behind” by Slađana Trifunović, a psychologist and transactional analysis counsellor, and “Protecting Children in Criminal Proceedings” by Dubravka Lukač, a psychologist with the Brčko District Police. The seminar concluded with a psychodrama workshop, “Forum Theatre of Violence”, led by psychodrama therapist Jelena Jovanović. Participants then received certificates of attendance, with the hope of meeting more often.

The large number of participants and positive reviews confirm the importance of such gatherings, as they make a significant contribution to preventing violence and protecting and promoting the psychophysical development of young people.