Be a Buddy educational campaign

Prevention means doing something to avoid or limit undesirable development, which is both better and less resource-intensive than repairing the situation later. However, it can be difficult to know how to begin addressing bullying and harassment prevention on board.

"Be a buddy – not a bully" is a seminar package that includes an educational presentation (PowerPoint), teaching manual, as well as dialogue tools and various thematic brochures on mental health.

The content of the presentation is comprehensive but has been designed so that you can "pick" slides and adapt the teaching and dialogue tools to suit the target audience and the time available.

The learning tools in the seminar package can be used by, for example:

• Ship management, which needs a starting point to begin the conversation about offensive actions and/or collaborate with the crew to develop measures (e.g., social rules).
• A shipping company employee holding a half- or full-day workshop on bullying and harassment at a ship captain's conference.
• Maritime education instructors at vocational schools and universities who need tools to supplement teaching on the subject.

The Norwegian Maritime Authority offers training seminars on the educational program

To get started, there are two levels of instruction available:

1. The Norwegian Maritime Authority offers to hold the seminar at physical meetings for upper-level staff, such as ship captain conferences, shipping company meetings for HR personnel, or others responsible for tasks related to the working environment on board.
   The seminar can last from 2 to 4 hours, with the use of dialogue tools adjusted to the time available.
   Afterward, the shipping company will receive the presentation as well as a material package (in Norwegian or English). Additional material sets per vessel can be ordered via the link below.
2. Participants at the Norwegian Maritime Authority's seminar then continue the training with the crew on the vessels or at land-based meetings for the shipping company’s employees.
   A teaching manual is provided for the person delivering the presentation.

The Norwegian Maritime Authority can also hold the seminar in other contexts, such as in connection with maritime education or at member conferences organized by employer and employee organizations.

How to order the seminar and materials:

Send a request and schedule the seminar with the project manager: sfl@sdir.no.

Here is a description of the content of the material:
Educational material overview - Mental health

The seminar program "Be a buddy – not a bully" and the associated brochure materials have been developed by Sea Health & Welfare, Denmark.