School mediation in Chernihiv region: exchange of experience and plans for the future

At the end of February, a large-scale online event “Mediation – as an innovative method of resolving conflicts and preventing violence based on hatred in the school environment” was held in Chernihiv. The event was attended by teachers and employees of the psychological service of the Chernihiv region.

The event was organized at the initiative of the Educational and Methodological Center of the Psychological Service in the Education System of the Chernihiv Region in cooperation with the Chernihiv Public Committee for the Protection of Human Rights.

The organizers set themselves the task of highlighting and disseminating the experience of implementing the School Understanding Services (SHS) institute as an effective tool in preventing adolescent aggression, creating an atmosphere of cooperation and mutual understanding among students.

The speakers of the event were coordinators (social educators and practical school psychologists) of the existing School Understanding Services of Chernihiv region, who already practice mediation in their educational institutions.

According to the speakers, at the beginning of the creation of understanding services it was difficult to convince skeptics of the effectiveness of mediation. But after the presentation of their SHSPs for student self-government, teaching staff and at parent meetings, student mediators began to be asked for help in resolving conflict situations.

Social educators and practical psychologists shared their experience of how they convinced teachers that mediation is effective and efficient.

“We are trying to show a successful example of mediation and convey it to all skeptics in our school. To prove that mediation is an effective mechanism for resolving conflicts. Of course, the support of the administration plays a very important role in the work of the SHSP,” said

Lalita Ved

, a social teacher at Chernihiv College No. 11.

In turn,

Anna Dondyk

, a social teacher at the Menska Gymnasium, noted that mediation and the service of understanding at school are a modern requirement that helps make the educational space more comfortable and safe for all its participants.

“I am glad that our educational institution keeps up with the times, because modern children and their attitude to the world around us dictate new rules to us. Including regarding the resolution of conflict situations,” emphasized Anna Dondyk.

Olena Pinchuk

, a social teacher at the Ripkynsk secondary education institution of grades I-III of the Ripkynsk settlement council of the Chernihiv region, spoke about the attitude of the student mediators themselves to the work of the School Understanding Service.

“After the creation of the understanding service, student mediators began to understand the seriousness of their role. They take responsibility not for themselves and their lives, but for a person whom you may not even know, but who needs your help so much. And when you understand that you can be useful not only for yourself and your loved ones and acquaintances, but also for others, you realize the value of what you do,” said Ms. Olena.

The event was also joined by practicing mediators from other regions.

So,

Oksana Datsko

, mediator, deputy director for educational work of the supporting institution of general secondary education of grades I-III No. 5 of the communal property of Zhmerynsk city united territorial community of Vinnytsia region, presented the success story of the School Understanding Service of Zhmerynsk ZZSO No. 5 “Circle of Friends”. Ms. Oksana also focused on the difficulties that the SHSP had to face since the very creation and what solutions they sought together with student mediators for the full-fledged work of the understanding service.

One of the important parts of the event was a discussion of the algorithm for creating School Understanding Services in an educational institution.

“I am glad that thanks to the interest of school administrations in implementing new practices, we managed to influence the formation of non-violent communication and the creation of a safe environment in more than 15 educational institutions of the Chernihiv region,” emphasized

Kateryna Dankova

, school mediator, representative of the Chernihiv Public Committee for the Protection of Human Rights.

The activity is taking place within the framework of the project “Countering violence based on hatred and hate speech in the school and youth environment in the Chernihiv region” with the support of the representative office of the international human rights organization