Students call for stronger community at national school peace event

Finland’s national school peace was declared in Kouvola on Thursday, with students urging people to build community through kindness, attention to others and simple gestures such as smiling and making eye contact, Yle reports.

The event began at 10 a.m. at the Mansikka-aho sports hall and was also followed by schools across Finland through Yle Areena. This was the 36th school peace declaration.

This year’s student-selected theme is “For community”. It highlights the idea that a safe everyday environment is built through small actions, consideration for others and ensuring that no one is left alone. The theme will continue throughout the school year through activities designed by students.

In a video message, President Alexander Stubb encouraged students to greet each other, smile, say thank you and ask how others are doing.

“Invite everyone to play and join in during breaks, so that no one is left alone. And let’s remember that no one should be bullied,” Stubb said.

Internet police officer Daniel Kalejaiye told the audience that helping even one person can improve everyone’s safety. He encouraged students to do good deeds one at a time, obey their parents and listen to their teachers.

“Most importantly, remember to be kind to one another,” Kalejaiye said.

The students’ message also encouraged people to visit new places without prejudice, get to know new people and be friends with everyone. They called for bullying to be “thrown in the rubbish bin” and urged students to praise others even for small things.

“Let’s work together, look each other in the eye, and act and speak for good community spirit,” the students said.

School Peace is a joint programme of the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare, the National Police Board, the Finnish National Agency for Education, Folkhälsan and the Finnish Parents’ League. Its aim is to promote wellbeing and safety in school communities.

School peace was first declared in 1990. The event was last held in Kouvola in 2015.