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221 - KiVa anti bullying program, University of Turku, Finland
CONTACT
University of Turku
Ms. Christina Salmivalli
Finland
+358 400 995473
OVERALL GOAL /MISSION
The goal is to develop and implement a comprehensive, research-based bullying prevention program to be used in basic
education (primary and secondary schools) in Finland and abroad, in order to reduce the prevalence of, and negative
consequences produced by peer-to-peer bullying in schools.
The program has been in nationwide use in Finland since 2009, and now it is available in six other countries as well. At
present, our goal is to create an international network within which the program can be further developed and
implemented. Widely speaking, their mission is to make schools safe and pleasant environments for every child and
adolescent.
THE SOLUTION THAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED
The KiVa anti bullying program provides concrete, comprehensive, research-based tools for schools to prevent bullying,
to tackle the cases of bullying that come to the attention of adults, and to monitor the situation via annual school-based
feedback.
The program includes materials for teachers and principals, for students (e.g. student lessons, and an innovative virtual
learning environment - a computer game teaching children values of tolerance and respect, as well as constructive
responses when witnessing bullying), and for parents.
The KiVa program has been evaluated in numerous studies and it has been fund to reduce multiple forms of bullying, to
decrease pro bullying attitudes, to increase empathy towards vulnerable peers and to increase peers' intentions and
self-efficacy to support them. In addition, it has been found to decrease depressive symptoms and anxiety, and to
increase well-being in the school, context.
COUNTRY IN WHICH IT WAS DEVELOPED: Finland
COUNTRY/ COUNTRIES IN WHICH IT IS OPERATING: Finland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Estonia, Italy, UK, New Zealand,
Luxembourg
FACTS ABOUT SIZE AND SCOPE
 In Finland, 90% of schools providing basic education (grades 1-9) are implementing the KiVa anti bullying program