TORONTO, March 28, 2006 -- A unique national network is being launched today to address bullying problems and promote healthy relationships among children.
Led by York and Queen’s Universities, this national network is the first of its kind in Canada. It will lay the groundwork for a national strategy to address bullying and other relationship problems among children and youth.
(Right: Debra Pepler)
A collaborative and interdisciplinary initiative, the network brings together 23 university researchers from 17 Canadian universities and 34 national non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The partners will share up-to-date scientific knowledge and research expertise, build awareness of bullying and aggression problems, plot strategies, inform public policy making, and shift attitudes on an issue that matters to Canadians.
The network is called PREVNet -- Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network. It will be headed by Professor Debra Pepler of York University’s LaMarsh Centre for Research on Violence and Conflict Resolution, and Professor Wendy Craig of Queen’s University, both renowned national and international experts on bullying. The network’s goal is to change our society by working with governments and NGOs to reduce the use of power and aggression in relationships.
"Bullying is a significant social and health problem for children and young people in Canada," says Pepler. "In recent years, there have been many severe cases where children have died or been seriously injured due to bullying. These tragedies have helped us understand how serious these problems are, and we recognize the need for a national strategy to address them."
"Through our network of partnerships, we aim to promote mental and physical health among children and youth, healthy relationships, engagement with their schools, and crime prevention," says Craig. "We will develop educational, assessment, and intervention tools, as well as policies related to bullying that can be implemented in communities everywhere in Canada."
The need for a national strategy on bullying is underscored by a recent World Health Organization survey, which ranked Canada a disappointing 26th in bullying, and 27th in victimization, among the 35 countries assessed. Across all ages and categories of bullying and victimization, Canada consistently ranked at or below average among those countries.
The project will receive $800,000 over the next two years to support the networking activities of established research groups who will develop new partnerships with organizations and communities that can benefit from the shared knowledge. The network is one of five national initiatives to receive federal funding from the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE). The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the NCE, yesterday announced a round of new investments of $4 million over two years for projects connected to NCE.
The new network is unique because it focuses not only on bullying but also on developing and promoting children’s relationships with a community-based approach. "Bullying doesn’t come out of nowhere, and this broader research into children’s relationships, conducted by the diversity of partnerships in our network, ensures that bullying problems will be addressed with a consistent understanding and approach in all the places that Canadian children and youth live, work, and play," says Pepler. "Although schools play a key role, we believe that bullying is a community problem, and that’s why we have assembled such a range of agencies and non-governmental organizations, along with educators, to address the problem."
"It is absolutely vital for children and youth in our country to feel safe in their communities and schools, and healthy relationships with other children is key to their healthy development," says Craig. "We’re excited to announce this pioneering initiative that brings together the talent and knowledge of so many groups dedicated to a better future for our children. PREVNet will help us to develop a consistency of message and approach across the country."
"This investment by the federal government reflects the importance of collaboration between universities and organizations from all sectors to address public policy issues that matter to all Canadians. It is a testament to the strength of research at York University," says Stan Shapson, York University’s vice-president research & innovation. "York will play a key research and leadership role within this groundbreaking, interdisciplinary research network while ensuring that its results lead to improved public policy making and a safer and healthier childhood for young people across Canada."
Partnering organizations include: Canadian Principals Association, Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children, Kids Help Phone, Girl Guides of Canada, Canadian Association of Social Workers, Canadian Parks and Recreation, and The Hospital for Sick Children. For a complete list of partnering organizations, visit www.arts.yorku.ca/lamarsh.
Networks of Centres of Excellence are unique partnerships among universities, industry, government and not-for-profit organizations aimed at turning Canadian research and entrepreneurial talent into economic and social benefits for all Canadians. For more details on Networks of Centres of Excellence, visit www.nce.gc.ca.
York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 190,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 10 faculties and 22 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges. York University is an autonomous, not-for-profit corporation.
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For more information, contact:
Professor Debra Pepler, York University, (416) 736-2100 ext. 66155 / 55528
pepler@yorku.ca
Professor Wendy Craig, Queen’s University, (613) 533-6014, craigw@post.queensu.ca
Mary Ann Gratton, Media Relations, York University, (416) 736-2100 x 22091/
gratton@yorku.ca
Nancy Dorrance, Communications and Public Affairs, Queen's University, (613) 533-2869 / dorrance@post.queensu.ca
