KiVa program becomes available to schools in Latvia
The State Chancellery of the Republic of Latvia will start implementing the KiVa program in schools starting from September 2023. The State Chancellery, the Children and Adolescent Resource Centre, Latvian SOS Children’s Villages Association, the University of Latvia and Riga Stradins University have worked together in order to make the KiVa program operational in schools to reduce and prevent the spread of school bullying.
The signing ceremony took place on March 10th 2023 in Riga, Latvia in presence of Mrs. Anda Čakša, Minister of Education and Science.
–It is important to us that every child and adolescent feels safe and protected in the school environment. By opening the international prevention and intervention program “KiVa” for reducing the spread of peer abuse, we are one step closer to eradicating violence in educational institutions. Every child and their healthy development, their opportunity to get a full-fledged, safe education is our responsibility, emphasizes Čakša.
Translation and localization of the materials has already started during this month. The trainers will receive in-depth training about KiVa program and KiVa methodology to ensure high quality support to the schools.
In the top picture: Mrs. Anda Čakša, Minister of Education and Science, and Prof. Christina Salmivalli, University of Turku, at the signing ceremony
Professor Christina Salmivalli, who is one of the founders of the KiVa program, took part in the signing ceremony.
–It has been wonderful to follow the process of many sectors working together to bring KiVa to Latvia. The people involved are committed and enthusiastic and I am sure that our cooperation with this new partner will be excellent, Salmivalli says.
Salmivalli also said that his research team is constantly developing the Kiva program based on new information and support materials.
KiVa’s licensed partner in Latvia is the State Chancellery of the Republic of Latvia. The State Chancellery is a central public administration institution operating directly under the Prime Minister. Its task is to ensure the work of the government and to provide the Prime Minister and the government with data and research-based information, evaluation of different scenarios of action and to attract experts from different areas and thereby contribute to more accurate, fact-based decisions. Recently it was also tasked to plan sustainable development of Latvia, monitor the implementation of the government declaration, as well as govern state-owned enterprises.
Participants of the signing ceremony, including Minister of Education and Science, representatives from the University of Turku, State Chancellery, the Children and Adolescent Resource Center, Latvian SOS Children’s Villages Association, the University of Latvia and Riga Stradins University