The #Bastaparole project, launched by Odos Group, is crossing seven territories of five Italian regions, involving 28 schools, 527 classes and over 10.000 students. The initiative, which aims to combat bullying and cyberbullying, has already stopped in various shopping centers managed by Odos, including Porte di Moncalieri (TO), I Giardini di Biella, Malpensa Uno di Gallarate (VA), Esselunga di Lissone (MB), Panorama di Villorba (VI), Due Mari di Maida (CZ) and La Birreria di Napoli. Tomorrow, April 2, #Bastaparole will be the protagonist right in Naples, at the “La Birreria” Center.
The project is divided into two phases and adopts an inclusive and collaborative approach, where the kids are the real protagonists. At the heart of the initiative is the “Mabasta Model”, an original protocol created by the anti-bullying movement MABASTA, founded by Mirko Cazzato. The model offers participating schools practical tools to create a safe and respectful environment, promoting awareness and prevention of bullying and cyberbullying. Two key principles that guide the entire project: do not do to others what we would not want done to us and treat others as we would like to be treated.
Each student involved received a copy of the booklet “The reality of words”, which contains stories, useful advice and a comic in which the protagonists Odos and Palla deal with the case of bullying towards a child named Luca. Thanks to this story, the children learn to recognize bullying, to react and to support those in difficulty, reflecting on a topic as delicate as it is crucial. In addition, each class received a USB stick containing stories and tales about bullying, offering a complete overview of the problem and possible solutions.
The project also includes a month dedicated to combating bullying and cyberbullying, which will start on April 1, 2025. In all seven of the Shopping Centers involved, an edutainment path will be set up, where visitors will be able to explore alternative endings to the stories of Odos and Palla via totems and QR codes, in case the Mabasta Model is not applied.
Finally, the culmination of the project will be the #Bastaparole Day, during which all the students who participated in the initiative will meet in the galleries of the Shopping Centers to meet the Mabasta volunteers, the local authorities and the local associations. A day of discussion, education and fun, which will have as a common goal that of defeating bullying and cyberbullying.
Article published on 1 April 2025 - 14:44
The bastaparole project seems very interesting but I am not sure it really works. Schools should do more to involve students and not just do superficial activities. Let's hope the results are positive.