In all countries, the course pioneered the use of the Lego® Serious Play® constructivist methodology. Brick after brick, the students, supported by teachers and psychologists, learned to work in a group to reinforce values such as respect, empathy, to reinforce self-esteem and provide a visual and critical representation of the different types of bullying, their effects, the actors involved, and the tools and strategies that can be used to combat them efficiently. “The group work helped me to understand different points of view and to face the issues we encounter every day. I understood what bullying is and I now have new tools to promote my new understanding”, explains eighteen-year-old “P.” in sign language.

The conference provided the opportunity not only to share the stories of the protagonists and evaluate the first project results in the various partner countries, but also to forge new alliances to tackle bullying against individuals with special needs by involving representatives of European research centres, public authorities, NGOs and educational institutions. A Chilean Government Delegation, visiting Italy to learn more about the integration model implemented in Italian schools, participated in the conference. Two workshops with the Lego Serious Play Methodology were held during the afternoon by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale and the Dublin University Anti-bullying Centre.