Fighting School Bullying in Hungary: Two Major Campaigns Tackle a Growing Crisis
Budapest is taking a stand against school bullying through two significant nationwide campaigns that launched this October, bringing much-needed attention to a crisis affecting thousands of Hungarian students. If you’re visiting Budapest during the autumn and winter months, you might notice public art installations, community events, and discussions surrounding these initiatives that aim to create safer school environments for young people across Hungary.
The Scale of the Problem
The statistics are sobering. According to UNICEF Hungary’s 2022 research, 85% of Hungarian teenagers have experienced some form of bullying. This isn’t just a Hungarian problem, but the country is responding with innovative approaches that combine theater, education, and community engagement to address what has become an unavoidable social issue affecting nearly every school-age child in some capacity.
The digital age has transformed bullying from something that ended when school let out into a relentless 24/7 presence in young people’s lives. Cyberbullying provides anonymity that emboldens perpetrators while making it impossible for victims to escape, even in the safety of their own homes. Hungarian educators, psychologists, and cultural organizations have recognized that traditional approaches alone won’t solve this evolving problem.
“Ne Bánts Világ” – Don’t Hurt World
The first major initiative, “Ne Bánts Világ” (Don’t Hurt World), launched on World Mental Health Day and operates in 25 schools across Hungary. Organized by the Déryné Program at the request of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, this campaign uses prevention-focused theme days to address school bullying, harassment, cyberbullying, and various dependencies affecting young people.
The inaugural theme day took place on October 10 at the Gödöllő Reformed Lyceum High School, with speeches from Dr. Balázs Hankó, Minister for Culture and Innovation, and world champion Olympic fencer Csanád Gémesi. Minister Hankó’s message to students drew from Biblical wisdom: “Don’t let evil overcome you, but overcome evil with good.” He emphasized three principles represented by the campaign’s approach: See (pay attention to others), Hear (truly listen and understand), and Understand (transform listening into genuine comprehension).
Domonkos Márk Kis, director of the Déryné Program, explained that “Ne Bánts Világ” represents more than just a series of theme days—it’s an invitation to dialogue. The program teaches students to recognize signs of bullying, both spoken and unspoken, to hear those who remain silent, and to understand that every action and reaction carries weight but also holds potential for healing.
How the Program Works
The theme days combine theatrical performances, interactive workshops, and expert presentations to help young people recognize dangers, stand up for themselves and others, and experience the power of empathy, acceptance, and dialogue. Teachers receive optional training to support prevention efforts within their classrooms.
At the Gödöllő event, students participated in the Eureka Games team-building program called “Connect!” which developed cooperation, communication, and community feeling between different classes through playful challenges. Simultaneously, Dr. Hankó and prevention specialist Gábor Borbát delivered presentations on preventing school bullying and dependencies, while SuliNyugi specialists taught stress management through the “Gyerekideg” program, helping students recognize and release tension using various playful techniques.
The afternoon featured the Inkluzivity cooperative game, where students strengthened their class community by focusing on each other, directly contributing to bullying prevention. Students also tried the Semmelweis Health Promotion Center’s interactive self-awareness game called “KicsiÉn” (Little Self).
Follow-up is crucial to the campaign’s success. Months after the theme days, specialists return to schools to assess results and provide additional support to students, ensuring that the positive changes initiated during the program continue to develop.
“NEM OKÉ” – Not Okay
The second campaign, “NEM OKÉ” (Not Okay), takes a different but complementary approach by leveraging the power of theater and art to spark community conversations. This initiative emerged from Delta Production’s powerful psychological thriller “Darázs” (Wasp), which premiered in 2022 and tells the story of two former classmates reuniting years later. Their conversation unveils painful childhood experiences, primarily focused on school bullying.
Best deals of Budapest
The play proved so emotionally powerful that audiences consistently wanted to continue the conversation afterward, sharing their own stories and seeking tools to address bullying. Judit Gerlóczi, cultural project manager and Delta Production’s leader, recognized that theater creators couldn’t provide all the answers audiences needed, so she partnered with UNICEF Hungary to develop educational and sensitivity training programs alongside the performances.
The response was overwhelming. In one week alone, they received four thousand inquiries, with increasing interest from outside Budapest. This demand inspired the nationwide tour concept, bringing both the performance and accompanying programs to communities throughout Hungary.
Budapest’s District II Leads the Way
Budapest’s second district became the first municipality to officially support the “NEM OKÉ” campaign, with the launch event taking place on October 21 at the Marczibányi Square Cultural Center. Mayor Gergely Őrsi emphasized the importance of reaching young people through unconventional channels: “Culture is one of the most important tools for conveying values and building community, and this play is particularly suitable for thinking together about this serious social problem.”
The campaign involves more than sixty professionals from artistic and specialist fields working together. Beyond raising awareness among young people, the program targets adults—particularly parents and teachers—drawing attention to the phenomenon and its serious consequences.
A traveling sculpture serves as one attention-grabbing element of the campaign, appearing in public spaces throughout the coming months. The sculpture symbolizes the visibility that bullying victims often lack and represents the community’s commitment to recognizing and addressing the problem.
Why These Campaigns Matter to Visitors
While these are domestic Hungarian initiatives, international visitors to Budapest during this period are witnessing a society grappling seriously with youth welfare and education. The campaigns reflect broader European concerns about children’s mental health and school safety, but Hungary’s approach of combining cultural expression with professional intervention offers an interesting model.
If you attend performances at Budapest theaters or visit schools as part of educational tourism, you might encounter elements of these campaigns. The Marczibányi Square Cultural Center, where “NEM OKÉ” launched, is a popular venue that often hosts international audiences. Understanding the context of what you’re witnessing adds depth to the cultural experience.
Long-Term Vision
Both campaigns share a commitment to creating sustainable change rather than quick fixes. The “OKÉ Café” concept brings together teachers, parents, family protection specialists, and psychologists for meaningful dialogue, aiming to produce cooperation agreements that continue beyond single events.
Gerlóczi emphasizes that while theater companies can bring issues into focus and public discourse, real societal change requires collaboration across sectors. “If we channel this into the world beyond theater with the participation of credible representatives from other fields, we can achieve genuine social change,” she explains.
Mayor Őrsi stresses the importance of parental involvement: “We definitely want to draw parents’ attention to talking with their children, as they can influence them most effectively.” He notes that while many people know bullying exists, fewer understand its severe consequences, which can cause lifelong trauma or, in extreme cases, drive victims to suicide.
Empathy, Safety, Awareness, Dialogue, Acceptance
These five words encapsulate the message of “Ne Bánts Világ.” As Budapest hosts these important conversations about protecting young people, the city demonstrates how cultural institutions, government bodies, and communities can work together to address complex social challenges. For visitors, it’s a reminder that behind the beautiful architecture and vibrant cultural scene, Budapest is a living city working to create a better future for its youngest residents.