OSCE Mission to Skopje extends school safety project

The OSCE Mission to Skopje in co-operation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs announced on 1 October 2012 the extension of the school safety project “My Safety Depends on Me” for the school year 2012-13.

The project aims to improve security in schools, specifically those with a multi-ethnic composition and which might be at risk of juvenile violence of an inter-ethnic nature.

It includes the establishment of Prevention Clubs in nine primary schools and one high school in Skopje. The Prevention Clubs will discuss security-related problems and, in co-operation with the police, suggest ideas and develop action plans on how to tackle those issues.

During the previous school year, Prevention Clubs were established in five high schools in Skopje, and it was decided to expand the project based on positive feedback from students, parents and teachers.

Students in these clubs participate in interactive workshops and are given a chance to learn about various topics that directly affect them, some of which are not fully tackled in the regular curriculum. They also discuss issues such as domestic and sports violence, and gender equality.

The project comes amid increased concern in developments in youth violence and links with the Mission’s commitment to conflict prevention.