Panhellenic Day Against Bullying

PRESS RELEASE

Athens, March 2, 2026

Panhellenic Day Against Bullying

"The Smile of the Child" and the Center for School Violence and Bullying

European Network Against School Violence and Bullying

2024 and 2025: Preventive educational actions in 67,500 students from 900 schools nationwide with the support of NOUNOU Gouda

2025: Management of 253 incidents of school violence and bullying

13 years of "Speak Now" , a nationwide campaign against bullying with the participation, to date, of 95,670 students from 3,333 schools nationwide

On the occasion of the Panhellenic Day Against Bullying, on Monday, March 2, 2026, "The Smile of the Child" and the European Network Against School Violence and Bullying, of which the Organization holds the Presidency, organized an event at the Organization's Multipurpose Hall in Koropi. During the event, the report and services of the Center for School Violence and Bullying, the nationwide "Speak Now" campaign, as well as the positions and proposals of the Organization's volunteer children regarding the prevention and management of the phenomenon, were presented.

Simultaneously, the significant results of the two-year collaboration between the Organization and NOUNOU Gouda were announced. Thanks to this collaboration, a team of specialized Psychologists from "The Smile of the Child" conducted interactive prevention and awareness interventions on bullying for 67,500 children from 900 schools across Greece. This collaboration will continue until the end of the current school year, aiming to reach 80,000 students.

The President of the Board of Directors of "The Smile of the Child," Mr. Kostas Yannopoulos, after welcoming the attendees, stated: "Bullying and violence among children in general have taken on enormous proportions, something that everyone, and especially the school community, experiences daily. Unfortunately, we all become aware of children who even take their own lives due to bullying. 'The Smile,' with its experience in Greece and internationally, its specialized scientific staff, and the synergies it has developed, invests primarily in prevention. This fact is strongly reflected in the data we announced today. At the same time, through the SOS1056 Line and the CHAT1056, we are by the side of every child, every parent, every teacher who, at any moment, needs support and guidance to deal with a difficult and potentially dangerous and threatening situation. I would like to thank NOUNOU Gouda for trusting us, and with their support, we were able to reach 900 schools nationwide, interacting interactively with thousands of students, as well as their parents and teachers. We make our 'tools' and our people available to the school community, and we are here to collaborate even more closely and coordinately, as we do, for example, with the Directorate of Secondary Education of Eastern Attica, with whom we have also signed a relevant Collaboration Agreement. If we truly want to manage bullying effectively, we must invest in prevention, shield our children, and most importantly, listen to them, as we at 'The Smile' do through our network of volunteer children, YouSmile, where they actively participate today with their opinions and proposals."

On behalf of NOUNOU Gouda, the CEO, Mr. Konstantinos Mangioros, stated:

"The collaboration of NOUNOU Gouda with 'The Smile of the Child' against school violence and bullying, 'NOUNOU: You have the power inside you. Sit down and Speak,' is not only a contribution to society; it is an integral part of NOUNOU's values, which for 95 years has supported the family in Greece, with sensitivity and dedication to the new generation, which is our future.

With respect for the Organization's great work throughout Greece, we join forces to send a strong message for the substantial tackling of this very serious and – unfortunately – timely issue for children and adolescents, encouraging children to find the strength to speak."

"The Smile of the Child" | Center for School Violence and Bullying

Statistical Data 2025:

In 2025, through the Organization's actions for the prevention and treatment of Bullying, 235 children received counseling and specialized support. Furthermore, reports were submitted for 18 children to Cybertipline Hellas concerning incidents of online bullying.

At the same time, interactive prevention interventions were carried out for:

• 31,203 students
• 1,833 parents and guardians
• 1,453 teachers
• 123 professionals

Proposals from the "YouSmilers" and members of the Children's Rights Group

What we tell children:

• Speak now
• Get informed about your rights
• Get informed about what bullying is and its consequences
• Try to put yourself in the other person's shoes
• You have a responsibility even as a bystander
• There are ways to speak anonymously and confidentially at 1056
• It is not the fault of the person being bullied
• Your worth is not determined by what others say

What we tell parents and guardians

• Talk to your children about bullying
• Observe any changes in behavior and physical signs
• Build a quality relationship with your children
• Be role models to emulate

What we tell professionals working with children

• Mandatory seminars on bullying, prevention, and intervention
• Build a quality relationship with children
• Observe any changes in behavior and physical signs
• Build an environment - a team without competition

What we tell Media / Social Media / Influencers

• Bullying is not entertainment
• Stricter content control
• Influencers should recognize their influence and take responsibility for their content.

What we tell the State and competent bodies

• There should be corrective sanctions, not punishments
• Focus on emotional learning in schools from an early age
• There should be permanent mental health professionals in all schools
• Classes with smaller student groups

Information:

The Smile of the Child | Press Office | Tel.: 11040 (local charge) | press@hamogelo.gr