Video contest puts spotlight on bullying
Government encourages youth to share their solutions to bullying
Edmonton...Youth across Alberta are being encouraged to unleash their inner director and create short videos that show a solution to bullying as part of a new provincial contest.
From September 10 to October 1, youth between the ages of 13-18 will be asked to create two-minute digital videos expressing their personal experiences and positive solutions to bullying prevention and intervention, and to send their finished product to Citytv. Four finalists will be selected and their videos will be posted on Citytv’s website on October 16, where Albertans will be encouraged to vote for the entry that they feel best expresses a positive solution to a bullying situation.
“Unfortunately, most youth have experienced bullying, and have stories to share,” said Children’s Services Minister Heather Forsyth. “We are giving them a creative way of sharing their experiences with other youth, while also helping them find new solutions to this serious societal issue.”
“This contest gives youth an imaginative way to show other youth that they have the power to stop bullying,” said Education Minister Gene Zwozdesky. “Whether they are creating a video or watching one of the final four entries, teens across Alberta will find out more about how we can all take a stand against bullying.”
The two grand prize winners will each receive a $600 Best Buy / Future Shop gift certificate and will see their videos air on City TV. Two runners-up will also see their videos air on Citytv and will each receive a $150 Best Buy / Future Shop gift certificate. Complete contest details are available on http://www.citytv.com/ and http://www.b-free.ca/.
This contest is part of the government’s Stand Up and Stop Bullying campaign, launched in May 2006. Youth are encouraged to visit http://www.b-free.ca/ to find out more about bullying and learn tips on how they can stop it. Children and youth who need immediate help, advice or support regarding bullying are encouraged to call the 24-hour, toll-free helpline at 1-888-456-2323.
Stand Up and Stop Bullying is a three-year, province-wide bullying prevention campaign that is a direct result of commitments made during the Alberta Roundtable on Family Violence and Bullying held in May 2004. The total cost of the Stand Up and Stop Bullying campaign, including the helpline, is $780,000.
