ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The Partners of Americas Youth Ambassadors yesterday launched a public awareness campaign on the issue of bullying in schools.

The campaign, which falls under the organisation’s Leadership in Action project, was formally introduced during a ceremony at the Old Parham Road Roundabout, under the theme, “Confronting the growing Problem of Bullying in Schools in Antigua & Barbuda.”

During the ceremony, a billboard was unveiled bearing the motto, “Stop the Bullying. Stop the Pain!”

Objectives of the campaign include identifying methods of reducing the incidence of bullying and its effects in the schools, a release said.

Thirteen Antiguan and Barbudan youth participated in the inaugural staging of the Youth Ambassadors Programme in the spring of 2011, travelling to the United States from April 13, 2011 – May 4, 2011.

This bullying awareness campaign satisfies a requirement of the Youth Ambassadors Programme that the youth must complete a leadership in action project upon their return.

“The issue of bullying touched the youth ambassadors and inspired them to try to do something about it,” the communiqué read.

“The aim of the Antigua & Barbuda Youth Ambassadors is to highlight this growing problem and be the catalyst for government, the private sector and NGOs to think seriously about and act decisively against the problem of bullying.”

The Youth Ambassador is a US State Department-sponsored cultural exchange programme that brings together youth ages 15-18 from across the Americas to build understanding among countries, increase leadership skills, and prepare them to be positive agents of change through volunteer service.

They engage with local government and civic organisations, build relationships with host families and youth, and participate in skills-based trainings that enable and empower them to mobilise their communities towards positive change.