World United Against Bullying: A Day of Action

Oct. 5, 2026, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET | Virtual #WorldUnitedAgainstBullying

In a multinational study across 83 countries, 30.5% of adolescents reported being bullied. Bullying isn’t just a discipline issue—it’s a public health concern.

Agenda

Welcome Remarks, Video Message from Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Keynote Address: From Bullying and School Shootings to Belonging: The Role of Mattering in Creating Safer Schools

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Dr. Robin Kowalski will explore the evolving landscape of bullying, beginning with traditional forms of bullying and extending into the unique challenges of cyberbullying in today’s digital world. Drawing on research, she will examine approaches to bullying and cyberbullying prevention and intervention, as well as the role bullying may play among the antecedent conditions associated with school shootings. The session will conclude by exploring the concept of mattering, the experience of feeling valued, significant, and connected, and its importance in fostering safer, more supportive school communities.

Dr. Robin Kowalski is the Dan Olweus Distinguished Professor and a Centennial professor of psychology at Clemson University. She obtained her Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her research interests focus primarily on aversive interpersonal behaviors, most notably complaining, teasing and bullying, with a particular focus on cyberbullying. Her research on cyberbullying has been supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation. She is the author or co-author of several books including Complaining, Teasing, and Other Annoying Behaviors, Social Anxiety, Aversive Interpersonal Behaviors, Behaving Badly, The Social Psychology of Emotional and Behavioral Problems, Cyberbullying: Bullying in the Digital Age. Her research on complaining brought her international attention, including an appearance on NBC’s “Today Show.” Dr. Kowalski has received several awards including the Provost Senior Award for Excellence in Teaching, Clemson University’s Award of Distinction, Clemson University’s College of Behavioral Social and Health Science’s (CBSHS) Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, CSBHS Senior Scholar Award, the Phil Prince Award for Excellence and Innovation in the Classroom, Clemson University’s College of Business and Behavioral Science Senior Research Award, Clemson Women’s Commission Outstanding Female Faculty Member, and the Award for Excellence in Interdisciplinary Collaboration. She was also inducted into the inaugural class of recipients of the University Research, Scholarship, and Artistic Achievement Award. She was named by Princeton Review as one of the best 300 professors in the nation, and was selected as a finalist for the 2013 and 2014 South Carolina Governor’s Professor of the Year Awards.

Break

12:15 PM – 12:45 PM

Youth Voices: Bullying, Belonging, and What Adults Need to Know

12:45 PM – 1:15 PM

What do young people want adults to understand about bullying, relationships, and feeling connected? In this candid conversation, youth panelists will share their perspectives on bullying and cyberbullying, school connectedness, trusted adults, and what helps, or prevents young people from reaching out for support. Panelists will also explore what it means to feel seen, heard, safe, and respected, and offer their perspectives on how schools, families, and communities can better support young people. This session provides an opportunity to listen to youth voices and learn directly from the experiences and insights of young people today.

Global Perspectives on Bullying Prevention: An International Panel

1:15 PM – 2:30 PM

Join professionals from around the world for a conversation exploring bullying prevention through an international lens. Panelists will share perspectives from their countries and communities, highlighting current challenges, promising practices, and approaches to creating safer, more inclusive environments for young people. Through shared experiences and lessons learned, this discussion will explore both the common threads that connect bullying prevention efforts across borders and the unique cultural and community contexts that shape this work.

Dr. Christopher Donoghue is Professor of Sociology at Montclair State University in New Jersey. In 2023, he served on a committee for UNESCO and the World Anti-Bullying Forum to set a new international definition of “school bullying.” His books include the Sociology of Bullying, and New Ideas and International Perspectives on School Bullying. He has also published many articles on bullying among children in all grades as well as among college students.

Paula da Costa Ferreira is a Professor at the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Lisbon and a researcher and member of the board of directors at the Research Center for Psychological Science (CICPSI) in Lisbon, Portugal. She is currently the coordinator of the Inter-university Doctoral Program in Education Psychology in collaboration with the University of Coimbra and the Cyberbullying Studies Program of the Educational Psychology Department. Her research interests focus on bullying and cyberbullying, bystander behavior, affective and moral processes, neurotypical and neurodivergent children and youth, digital serious games, as well as prevention and intervention.

Closing Keynote: Cultivating Safe Spaces: Trauma Informed Practices to Strengthen Bullying Prevention in Schools

2:30 PM – 4:00 PM

This session explores how trauma informed approaches can enhance bullying prevention efforts and promote safe, supportive learning environments for all students. Participants will learn how trauma impacts behavior, relationships, and school engagement, and how applying trauma responsive strategies can reduce bullying, build resilience, and improve overall school climate. Through practical examples and actionable tools, attendees will leave equipped to better recognize student needs, respond with empathy, and foster a culture where every learner feels valued, empowered, and protected.

Dr. Dana Milakovic is the Assistant Director for the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Office of School Climate and Wellbeing. With more than 20 years of experience across school mental health, pediatric neuropsychology, and school psychology, she is a leading advocate for trauma-informed, healing-centered practices. As PDE’s trauma lead, she supports schools in building safe, supportive environments that strengthen bullying prevention efforts. Dr. Milakovic also contributes to statewide initiatives in child abuse prevention, criminal justice reform, and threat assessment. Her work focuses on creating equitable, trauma-informed systems that promote the academic, physical, and psychological well-being of all students and staff.

 Join Us!

Any professional focused on building a healthy school climate and supporting student and youth well-being will benefit, including:

• Counselors and behavioral and mental health professionals
• Community and youth organization representatives
• Elected officials
• Law enforcement
• Out-of-school time professionals
• School administrators
• School Resource Officers
• Teachers and school staff

Become a Sponsor

We invite you to sponsor 2026 World United Against Bullying: A Day of Action to show your commitment to bullying prevention and safe and supportive environments for students. Sponsorship includes an array of sponsor benefits to gain awareness among attendees. We can customize sponsorship opportunities as well.

Photography, Audio Recording, and Videography

Please note photography, audio recording, and/or videography may occur during our event and we may use these images and sounds in printed and electronic promotional and informational materials.

Core Values

Center for Safe Schools at Center for Schools and Communities strives to create and promote a safe space where individuals can participate in all event activities without discrimination. Our core values are central to our vision of providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment.