Each academic year, the partners of the School Peace Movement vote for one town or county with whom they will collaborate to organize the official School Peace Declaration Ceremony on September 1st, marking the beginning of the school year, during which the national School Peace Agreement will be signed.

Which municipality could hold the School Peace title?

The goal of the School Peace Movement is to achieve a safe and friendly school environment for students, teachers, school staff, parents, and various other groups involved with the school.

“The word ‘peace’ today is more meaningful and important than it was a year ago. We want to live in peace, both on a global scale and in each person’s individual life. Our peace starts with ourselves, our loved ones, friends, schoolmates, and companions,” says Varje Ojala, the director of the Child Protection Union. Therefore, we are looking for a local government to partner with on September 1st, who will consciously contribute to ensuring that the children’s school year is safe, supportive, and full of friendly relationships, where solutions are sought and found together in case of problems, ensuring that school peace is guaranteed year-round.

The municipality applying for the School Peace City or Town title undertakes the responsibility of organizing the formal signing ceremony on September 1st. The Child Protection Union will lend its support in coordinating the event, covering the media coverage, and assisting with necessary negotiations. Additionally, the municipality will receive free training, an event, or consultation from the School Peace Movement’s partner in the new school year.

The application process takes place every spring. Afterward, the Child Protection Union will announce which local municipality will have the honor of holding the School Peace City or Town title. The selection process is assisted by the School Peace partners, including the Ministry of Education and Research, NÜ TORE, the Estonian Student Union, the Child Protection Union’s “Free from Bullying!” program, the Integration Foundation, KiVa, Vaikuseminutid, the “Smart Internet Use” project, and the Child Protection Union’s Child Rights Ambassadors.

The nationwide School Peace Declaration has been held for more than 20 years, starting in 1999, with the goal of noticing and supporting those who need a safe school environment, simple and uninterrupted school joy while walking their school path. No day should be lost to bullying and violence, but rather tolerance, care for each other, respect, and a supportive atmosphere should prevail within the school walls.

Previously, School Peace has been declared in the following places across Estonia: Tallinn, Tartu, Põltsamaa, Viljandi, Valga, Narva, Pärnu, Põlva, Rakvere, Elva, Jõgeva, Sillamäe, Kuressaare, Türi, Hiiumaa, Võru, Keila, Paide, and Toila.

The Child Protection Union invites local municipalities to apply for the School Peace City or Town title so that together, on September 1st, we can announce the nationwide School Peace.