Conference for: Connections, Confidence, Camaraderie

Of all the conferences that we have presented our Girlfriends! Program at,The National Centre Against Bullying's 2012 Conference 'Social Media, Bullying and Vulnerability: Connect. Respect. Protect’
 (an initiative of The Alannah and Madeline Foundation) has been the best ‘fit’ for us.

Chris, Phillippa and I developed the Girlfriends! program after looking for a program to address challenging relationship issues of girls in our own Yarra Valley schools by connecting them with local community mentors and services. It was only after a dozen successful programs in a variety of schools that the concept of a website with free materials and, later a manual was born, over numerous coffees at the Blue Turtle. We wanted the Girlfriends! program manual to be practical, easy to use for teachers, versatile in diverse communities and student-negotiated. For the conference we used the forum: Create your own avatar with discussion focusing on whether its personality would be similar or different to its creator and if it is easier to bully or be hurtful as an avatar? behind a mask? Participants, though reluctant at first, enjoyed it! (It’s always easier to sit and take notes).

The National Conference improved our own competencies, and our understanding of the needs of young people, by giving us the opportunity to participate alongside of other members of the cybersafety research community. Presentations by keynote speakers and presenters challenged my personal understanding of cyberbullying and introduced me to new terms like ‘trolls’, ‘lurkers’ and ‘selfies' as well as providing a swag of Australian statistics and a plethora of resources that I can use in my own school community.  The willingness of ‘big name’ speakers and members of the Board of Directors of the Alannah and Madeleine Foundation to attend the whole conference, attend presentations, mingle and converse with participants was noted with delight.  The NCAB Conference created for me a sense of being part of a global community dedicated to addressing this significant issue for young people. We are always happy to present the program at no cost with enough notice as we work fulltime in schools.

The six-point conference resolutions called for the following actions to be developed and implemented consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child:

CHANGE - Community attitudes and behaviours

Create a major social change in attitudes and behaviours so that bullying will cease to be acceptable in a more tolerant and inclusive society.

BUILD - Young people’s skills and competencies

As part of the national curriculum, build awareness and capabilities of young people to engage in mutually respectful and ethical behaviours on and off line.

INVEST - Vulnerable young people

Invest in research and appropriate interventions to address the issue of bullying involving vulnerable young people including gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and special education needs and disabilities, indigenous, and cultural minorities.

INVOLVE - Parent involvement in bullying and cybersafety

Government to work in partnership with media and community groups to increase parent involvement in the issue of bullying and cybersafety including their role and responsibilities, via a range of school, home and community-based strategies, and through the media.

SHARE - National legal framework

Lawmakers to take shared responsibility for the development of a consistent national legal framework to define boundaries, which are designed to promote and set incident and age-appropriate responses to bullying, cyberbullying and related offences.

PROMOTE – Digital world positive opportunities

Governments, media, industry and the community to promote the positive opportunities from the digital sphere and the benefits they can bring to our children and young people.