Character education is fundamental for curbing bullying in secondary schools in Latin America or so explained Andrea Bustamante, a researcher at the University of Missouri -St. Louis (USA). The expert participated in a workshop organized by the University of Navarra (Spain) held at the Panamerican University (Campus Mexico).

Bustamante was one of the 25 experts from Mexico, Colombia and Argentina who attended a meeting of the Researching and Promoting Character Education in Latin American Secondary Schools project, a joint initiative of the Institute for Culture and Society and the School of Education and Psychology at the University of Navarra. The Templeton World Charity Foundation funds the project.

Character education, she noted, allows us to "identify and manage our emotions in situations that create anger or irritation," which is "key to preventing conflicts from escalating into violent situations."

In addition, according to the expert, the development of the virtues of empathy and assertiveness are crucial to avoiding “third person” or “observer” passivity. "Compassion and justice could increase the likelihood that third parties feel obliged not to support or act in these situations," she said.

 

A new education for overcoming challenges

On the other hand, Bustamante proposes creating methodologies, such as spaces for conflict resolution, within which adolescents can "reflect starting from their experience and practice the necessary skills to coexist in peace."

Another challenge that must be overcome, as Bustamante notes, is proper teacher training. According to the professor, many teachers do not know how to distinguish isolated situations of conflict from bullying situations. This is in addition to a context "where drugs and violence, among other problems, are recurrent."

"Providing support to teachers with training in classroom management issues and strategies for promoting civic competencies and peaceful school climates are essential if long-term change is to be achieved," she concluded.