Vamos at the World Anti-Bullying Forum 2025

Deaconess Foundation’s Vamos has supported young people in challenging life situations for over 16 years, and bullying experiences are the single biggest cause of young people’s ill health and long-term anxiety year after year. Vamos Rovaniemi attended the World Anti-Bullying Forum held in Norway in July. 

BRP partners from around the world gathered for the World Anti-Bullying Forum held in Stavanger, Norway June 11-13, 2025.

Verian surveyed Finns’ views on current social issues at the request of the Deaconess Foundation’s social enterprise Rinnekoti. 1055 people answered the question about the polarized situation of young people and the reasons for their malaise. 48% of respondents considered that one of the biggest reasons for young people’s malaise was bullying. This was followed by challenges in family interaction (43%) and mental health challenges (36%).

Anti-bullying cooperation across sector borders

Bullying is the biggest cause of mental health challenges internationally. Almost 90% of all young people at Vamos have experienced bullying.

“We offer young people corrective experiences to replace previous bad experiences. In small steps and at their own time, young people gain experiences of success, their self-esteem is strengthened and hope for the future awakens. Each young person has their own coach to support them on their own life path. We have also drawn up principles for a safer space, that all our units are commited to”, says Minna Kestilä-Suopajärvi, Director of Vamos Rovaniemi.

Deaconess Foundation’s Vamos Rovaniemi has long collaborated with Rovaniemi’s largest company, BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products), in the Arctic Circle. Shared values have deepened the cooperation. BRP’s Ride Out Intimidation program, launched in 2022, supports anti-bullying work around the world, and Vamos Rovaniemi is one of the organizations that has received support.

World Anti-Bullying Forum

As a part of the Ride Out Intimidation program, BRP is a sponsor of the World Anti-Bullying Forum, which was held in June 2025 in Stavanger, Norway.

The World Anti-Bullying Forum is an international forum and biennial conference that brings together experts from various fields to increase understanding of bullying and other forms of violence against children and young people. The Forum aims to improve our understanding of bullying in all settings where children and young people spend time, and to improve efforts to stop and prevent it.

The World Anti-Bullying Forum brings together perspectives from disciplines such as psychology, sociology, education, gender studies, media studies, social work, health sciences, public health, childhood studies, political science, philosophy and criminology. It also provides a platform for researchers and practitioners to present and discuss how bullying relates to issues such as equality, socio-emotional learning, rights and responsibilities, school climate, inclusion and identity-based discrimination.

Anti-bullying work requires long-term and systematic cooperation

The forum brought together 750 participants from 50 different countries, including Vamos Rovaniemi. Researchers, professionals, decision-makers and stakeholders brought important perspectives to the forum on different forms of bullying. Bullying unfortunately affects the whole world.

“The forum crystallized the idea that everyone should be guaranteed a safe environment. We all have a need to belong to a community. Anti-bullying work requires long-term and systematic cooperation. Above all, it requires a change in attitudes and financial prioritization”, summarizes Minna Kestilä-Suopajärvi.

“Our international cooperation in anti-bullying work is very important to us. Through research, sharing knowledge and skills, we can together prevent bullying and create a safer world for children and young people”, Kestilä-Suopajärvi and Mannonen summarize together.