#callmethis: The Upper Secondary School Students In Finland Launched A Campaign Against Bullying
President of Finland Sauli Niinistö has agreed to act as the patron for #callmethis, a campaign that was built in a day. Since the campaign launch on the 28th of August , the hashtag has been used in Instagram over 14000 times!
On the evening of the 24th of August, Juho Räty, a Finnish student from Tampere, told how he acted in a case of bullying, because he did not want to take part in silent acceptance any longer – witnessing bullying without intervening in it. This story has now spread via social media and reached tens of thousands of Finns.
The Union of Upper Secondary School Students in Finland (SLL) wishes to encourage others to act like Räty. A campaign #kutsumua (#callmethis in English) was brainstormed on Wednesday and today it was launched to invite everyone to take a stand and build an atmosphere of acceptance, where everyone is seen for what they really are. The campaign has spread like wildfire in social media.
"People face name-calling and other offensive remarks both in schools and workplaces way too often. With nasty and mocking words we are labelled as something else than we actually are. If you are called stupid, fat or bossy every day it soon starts to sound like the truth", says Otto Ahoniemi, chairperson of SLL.
"It is difficult to get rid of bad behaviour simply by telling. Instead, we all should change our passive ways and become active defenders of a culture where bullying is not ok."
President of Finland Sauli Niinistö joins us in reminding of the importance of taking a stand against bullying. He acts as the patron of #callmethis campaign.
This is how you can participate in #callmethis campaign:
Take a photo with two words: one that describes a label someone has tried to give to you, and one that describes something you would like others to see in you. Then cross the first word - only fools will continue using it. If you want you can open the story more in the caption. Share the photo with #callmethis and nominate everyone whose story you would like to hear.
For more information and interviews please contact:
Milla Halme
The Union of Upper Secondary School Students in Finland
tel. +358 45 129 6795
milla.halme@lukio.fi
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