Through a new collaborative project backed by artists including the talented Mr OneTeas, schoolchildren in Monaco are using art to confront bullying.
On 21st November, Monaco Life attended a creative session at Lycée Albert Ier alongside the pupils who are raising awareness about the pain caused by bullying through a new and insightful campaign.
Organised by Women Leaders Worldwide Monaco (FLMM) in partnership with the Department of National Education, Youth and Sports, the initiative will unfold in the form of four workshops in November, during which middle and high school students will participate in art classes led by a number of renowned artists. Among those involved in the project are Beli, Mr OneTeas and Patrick Moya.
Supported by several FLMM members, the workshops are designed to provide a creative space where students can express their experiences and emotions related to bullying.
Ines Bensalah, a member of the Association des Jeunes Monaco and Youth Director of Women Leaders Worldwide Monaco, who spearheaded this initiative, shared with Monaco Life, “When I was younger, I experienced bullying so severe that I had to leave school. It was a turning point in my life because, without that experience, I don’t think I would have ever become an artist. In a way, it was destiny—I turned something painful into something positive. Now, I want to help other kids before they have to go through what I did.”
During the session, the third of the overall campaign, students collaborated on a collective mural, adding their individual contributions to a pre-existing artwork. The resulting piece is a visual representation of their shared stand against bullying, merging personal perspectives into a cohesive collective message. The session was led by Monaco’s well-known graffiti artist, Mr OneTeas.
“This initiative is incredibly meaningful because bullying is a significant issue in schools worldwide. It offers young people a way to express themselves and share feelings they might struggle to put into words. Art has the power to create real change,” Mr OneTeas told Monaco Life.
The broader project aims to compile the four murals created during these sessions into a collaborative art book titled Protège contre le harcèlement en milieu scolaire. The book, which will feature texts provided by the Pen Club to accompany the artwork, is scheduled for publication in April 2025.
One participating student told Monaco Life, “Seeing everyone’s work come together made me feel like I’m not alone.”
The next session will take place on Thursday 28th November at Lycée Rainier III.
Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.
Photo credit: Chloé Jade Szibbat