by Nick Delgado

Guam - The University of Guam launched its Bullying Prevention Training Program with the Department of Education this week. The program, Mungga Ma'kasse, was developed to address the island's unique needs from a cultural and regional perspective. The program is based on the premise that teaching youth to embrace diversity, increase empathy, assertiveness and pro-social behaviors need to occur both in schools and in homes.

Program director Dr. Rita Sharma Gopinath told KUAM News, "One thing for adults to do is really ask the children at home - how are they are doing, is anybody bothering them, is anybody teasing them? Parental involvement is really a very important component."

DOE statistics show in School Year 2007-2008 over 1,000 bullying cases was reported in Guam's public schools. DOE and UOG are working with the Superior Court to gather current data. The bullying prevention training continues tomorrow where no labels Guam and members of the Guam Youth Conference will be holding a roundtable in an effort to curve bullying and sexual discrimination in local schools.

The meeting begins at 9am on Friday at the UOG Lecture Hall in Mangilao.