The Greek Olympic Games gold medalist in windsurfing, Nikos Kaklamanakis, accepted the invitation of the Regional Directorate of Primary and Secondary Education of Crete and as a role model of the Erasmus+ SAFER project "SociAl competences and FundamEntal Rights for preventing bullying" visited the 47th Primary School of Heraklion and talked for the students and teachers of all pilot SAFER schools of Crete (47th Primary School of Heraklion, 3rd Primary School of Ierapetra, 11th Primary School of Heraklion, 6th High School of Heraklion, 2nd Primary School of Arkalochori).
With an inspiring speech, he shared his experiences and answered with particular interest the enthusiastic questions of the participants.
Nikos Kaklamanakis pointed out that self-belief, principles, and values are the solid bases on which we can rely to deal with our every particularity or difference which makes us special and distinguishes us from the average. Any deviation is grounds for discrimination. The answer should be the formation of a strong personality with faith in ourselves and our abilities. He added that sports are a means to succeed in gaining faith in ourselves, while he added that lifelong good competition begins with human relationships. "Through the Olympic Games I learned that if we can compete, and play together, then we can also live together." At the same time, he emphasized that you are not born a winner, not even a fighter... but you learn to become one. The journey of life is like the difficulties in the ocean and like the windsurfing. It doesn't matter so much if you fall, as if you get up quickly. Something we adults learn from you guys."
Specifically referring to bullying, he did not fail to point out the need to combat passive injustice. "It is not enough to not bully, but we must not allow others to bully either. By helping children who need us, we change the world for the better."
On the occasion of SAFER's slogan "Be the HERO for reducing bullying to ZERO", Nikos Kaklamanakis added: "Be the hero you hide inside, don't bully, and don't be intimidated. Build your dream!"
In particular, on the occasion of the Day Against School Violence and Bullying, the principles and importance of corresponding initiatives are of great importance as according to the results of European surveys, 32% of students have received some form of bullying from their peers at school one or more days last month. This makes it imperative to implement integrated educational proposals such as SAFER, which aims at the active participation of members/organizations not only of the school, but of the entire educational community (parents, social environment, etc).
The holistic approach to the school context is based on the assumption that bullying is a systemic problem and, therefore, intervention must be directed at the whole school context and not just at individual bullies and victims.
This pioneering project will be completed with a final conference that will take place in Brussels, on March 13, 2024, with the participation of MEPs, representatives of the European institutions and representatives from the pilot schools of all the countries of the SAFER partnership. Students and teachers will present the conclusions and good practices from the implementation of the project in their schools and this meeting will be a unique opportunity for cultural exchange and dialogue. Mrs. Birlaki Irini will participate from our school.
