Hero's Journey of the Welsh Anti-Bullying Network in Wales

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Congratulations to the Welsh Anti-Bullying Network for sponsoring Respect Tour 2009. These free workshops will be offered in various locations around Wales during the month of November. This organization is taking a strong stand against bullying. Read the story of their hero’s journey.

Please note: Registration deadline to attend these free workshops is October 16, 2009. School officials in Wales can register at this Registration site.

Introduction

Joseph Campbell, the author of “The Hero with a Thousand Faces,” teaches the process of taking a hero’s journey. Many books, movies, and other projects have been based on this journey. I based a large part of my conflict resolution curriculum called the 3 C’s: Conflict Resolution, Character Education, and Communication Skills on the hero’s journey approach.

As I discover schools, organizations, and people taking a stand against bullying, we will learn more about their particular hero’s journey.

     The 5 W’s of the Ordinary World

Who: Welsh Anti-Bullying Network made up of Welsh Assembly Government, NSPCC Cymru/Wales, Stonewall Cymru, Barnardos Cymru, and Children of Wales.

Where: See list below for locations around Wales

When: See list below:
* Nov. 3, 2009 – Technium Cast, Bangor
* Nov. 4, 2009 – The Oriel House Hotel, St. Asaph
* Nov. 5, 2009 – Glyndwr University, Wrexham
* Nov. 10, 2009 – Cefn Lea Park, Newtown
* Nov. 12, 2009 – Paarcy Scarlets, Llanelli
* Nov. 16, 2009 – Miskin Manor, Llantrisant
* Nov. 17, 2009 – Heritage Park Hotel, Porth
* Nov. 18, 2009 – University of Wales, Newport  

Please note: Registration deadline to attend these free workshops is October 16, 2009. School officials in Wales can register at this Registration site.

What: Respect Tour 2009 – free workshops for students, teachers, support staff, and key local authority officials in Wales.

Why: As stated on the Respect Tour 2009 official website, “Head teachers and governing bodies must, by law, have a policy to prevent all forms of bullying among pupils. Challenging bullying effectively will improve the safety and happiness of pupils.”

     Call to Adventure

On any hero’s journey, a Call to Adventure or a Call to Action is issued. Naturally, the hero has two choices. He or she or they can accept their Call to Adventure and embark on their hero’s journey. Or they can attempt to refuse the Call to Adventure.

Since it is Welsh law that the teachers and government officials have an anti-bullying policy in effect at their schools, that part of the call to adventure cannot be refused. How the schools go about implementing these policies is left up to each school.

The road show called Respect Tour 2009 is a Call to Adventure for all schools throughout Wales. Whether each individual school will accept or refuse that call remains to be seen.

As their Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru Welsh Assembly Government website states, “Schools are asked to consider sending representatives from their school council, so that they can share their experiences with other pupils. (Places are limited to four pupils and one teacher/support staff or three pupils and two support staff per school).” Respect Tour 2009 is appropriate for both primary and secondary schools; however, they suggest that only year 3 students and upwards be selected to attend.

Should you or your school like to send representatives to attend one of these free workshops, the registration form is included in the Resource section.

Naturally, that Call to Adventure is only being issued to schools in Wales; however, American schools might want to consider offering a similar Call to Adventure on our side of the ocean as well.

     Cross First Threshold

One of the ways the Welsh Anti-bullying Network is working to make certain students get over the threshold of being more informed and aware of how to deal with bullies is this Anti-Bullying Road Show. As it states on the registration form (see Resource section to get a copy), “This is a great opportunity for pupils, teachers, support staff and key local authority officials to learn, through interactive workshops, how to tackle bullying in schools. In a month which celebrates 20 years of the UK Government’s adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), this event places children’s rights at the very heart of the agenda.”

     Approach to the Inmost Cave

As the Welsh Anti-bullying Network approaches the Inmost Cave, it is arming itself and others with information for learning providers, curriculum and assessment, policies and strategies, information for employers, learners, and parents, research and evaluation, competitions and awards, and a wide variety of publications. Visit their website to explore all these various resources.

     Supreme Ordeal

Being bullied is a Supreme Ordeal for any child. In recognition that Cyber-bullying is one of the more challenging ordeals young people have to face, Wales and other parts of the UK and Canada are sponsoring a “Stay Safe in Cyberspace” Anti-Bullying Week 16-20 November 2009. For more information, visit http://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/. This alliance is made up of over 60 organizations taking a stand against bullying.

To see a list of the 60 organizations and get information about each one, please visit their Meet Our Members page.

     The Road Back

The part of the Hero’s Journey known as “The Road Back” might make you feel that the danger is over and there is no longer a need to be vigilant or concerned. According to Joseph Campbell, there are still dangers to be faced. This is not a time to relax your guard.

The Welsh Anti-Bullying Network seems to be very aware of this point. “Stay Safe in Cyberspace” Anti-Bullying Week 16-20 November 2009 is their seventh annual event. This organization is aware that combating bullying is an on-going adventure that does not end with just one effort. You might be able to put a stop to a few or multiple individuals who have made the unfortunate choice to bully others. Sadly, other bullies will take their place. That is part of why it is important to hold this event year after  year after year.

Please note, in the US, they are just wrapping up their fourth annual National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week, October 4-10, 2009.

     Resurrection & Return with the Elixir

It is too soon to know how the hero’s journey of the Welsh Anti-Bullying Network will end. The students of Wales are being armed with useful knowledge. The elixir, as provided by the sponsors of this Respect Tour 2009, includes, “The Assembly Government issued circular 23/2003 ‘Respecting Others: Anti Bullying Guidance’ to all schools and LEAs in 2003. The guidance sets out the different strategies that schools can implement, both preventative and reactive in tackling bullying incidents.”  

This program acknowledges that the only way that this elixir can truly be beneficial is with the support of the parents and of the bystanders who witness bullying.

On the Welsh government’s Anti-bullying page, they make the following four points regarding useful approaches for Parents:
1. “Regular consultation and communication.”
2. “Providing information about the nature and effects of bullying.”
3. "Advising parents of possible consequences of their children bringing valuable items to school.”
4. “Putting on a drama to which parents are invited.”

As for the bystanders to bullying, they make the following important point: “By encouraging bystanders to step forward and recognize that they have a responsibility to the victims, we can work together to tackle bullying.”

What is the Resurrection of their particular Hero’s Journey? It is the resurrection of hope that all their hard work and vigilance will pay off currently and in the future. As a result of their efforts, there will be several fewer bullies in the country of Wales and elsewhere.

Resources:

Respect Tour 2009 – Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru Welsh Assembly Government

Anti-bullying page for Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru Welsh Assembly Government

The Respect Tour 2009: Anti-bullying Road Show Registration form

anti-bullying alliance

The Hero with a Thousand Faces (first published in 1949) by Joseph Campbell