In its anti-bullying campaign, launched in 2023, UNICEF Hungary will for the first time address the third actor of bullying, the witness. In the #NENÉZZFÉLRE campaign, popular Hungarian musicians and singers are taking part. Given the importance of the topic, the campaign will continue in 2024 and with the support of Appeninn Nyrt., the children's organisation hopes to get its message across to even more people: it's not cool to hurt, but it is cool to help.

Eighty-five percent of Hungarian secondary school students reported that they had been bullied at school, and 66 percent had been or are regularly subjected to physical, psychological or verbal abuse by their peers, according to a survey conducted by UNICEF Hungary last year. However, the organisation's #NENENÉZZFÉLRE campaign, launched in 2023, is not aimed at them, but at their environment, with well-known Hungarian musicians and singers who have experienced the feeling of exclusion first-hand. This summer, UNICEF brought their messages to young people through displays at the Sziget Festival, the Strand Festival, Budapest Park and other media outlets.

Also in 2023, HelpAPP, UNICEF's free downloadable app to help children recognise, avoid and deal with situations of violence, was also renewed as part of the campaign. The app offers help to victims, but can also be a tool for witnesses of abuse.

"In a vulnerable, humiliating or frightening situation, the indifference of others can be very painful, and the victim of bullying can feel infinitely alone. This is why it is important that the bystander does not remain inactive, because very often a kind gesture or a kind word can make a big difference" - said Antónia Mészáros, Executive Director of UNICEF Hungary, at the roundtable discussion of the UNICEF Conference on the Rights of the Child on 16 November, who was joined by musicians participating in the campaign and Norbert Lobenwein, representing the STRAND Festival, to start a dialogue on the phenomenon of school bullying.

At the talk, the musicians said that they were no strangers to bullying: some had witnessed the abuse and others had suffered it. Sena, for example, said that she had experienced feelings of exclusion in Ghana and Hungary, and that music and lyric writing had been a magic bubble for her. Lil Frakk (Jorgos Babaitis) was teased in kindergarten for his Greek name and David Marsalkó was teased for his red hair. But all the performers added that they refused to be defined by what others thought of them, and that their difference and uniqueness eventually turned to their advantage: "Being different is very difficult and it takes a lot of courage to take advantage of it. That's why it's important to talk about it and dare to ask for help if we need it," said Dávid Marsalkó.

The round table discussion was also the opening event of the STRAND ACADEMY, which is now organised by the STRAND Festival and offers interesting and exciting presentations and discussions from time to time.

The campaign against school violence will continue in 2024, and with the support of Appeninn Plc and the collaboration of ACG Advertising Agency, the message will reach an even wider audience on even more platforms: it's not shameful to ask for help, and it's cool to help.

For more information on bullying in schools, the HelpApp and the #ake a Look campaign, visit the UNICEF Hungary website.