12 May 2008
Violence prevention programme wins global award
Associate Health Minister Steve Chadwick today congratulated the Aotearoa New Zealand Peace Foundation on their recent
Global Peacebuilders’ Award.
“This is fantastic recognition for the Foundation’s ‘Cool Schools’ programme, and for the efforts of schools, students
and families in addressing this important issue.”
The Ministry of Health funds the Foundation to deliver the ‘Cool Schools’ programme which trains students, teachers and
parents in conflict resolution and peer mediation skills. Schools involved with the programme consistently report
reduced playground conflict and increased use of the ‘Cool Schools’ techniques in the classroom.
“Students must be safe at school, and have a secure environment in which to learn. We know that young people who witness
or experience bullying, violence or abuse are at risk of poorer mental and physical health, so programmes such as this
are extremely important to the well-being of our children.”
The Ministry of Education has a number of anti-bullying initiatives, including information on the Team-Up website, the
Traumatic Incidents Management support for schools, and the Eliminating Violence programme that takes a whole-of-school
approach. The Ministry of Education supports the ‘Cool Schools’ programme in decile 1-3 schools.
“‘Cool Schools’ is one of fifty international violence prevention projects to receive the Global Peacebuilders’ award
and deserves celebration,” Steve Chadwick said.
The ‘Cool Schools’ programme started in 1991 with 12 schools in the Auckland region and has grown to include 1600
primary, intermediate and secondary schools. The Ministry of Health has funded the programme since it began, and in 2008
will provide additional funding to expand into another 500 schools in the South Island and Wellington regions.
ENDS