The question of security in schools and universities is becoming a growing concern in many countries. How can violence in both schools and universities be measured and curbed? How should the very notion of security be tackled? Whereas security has to date been mainly analysed in terms of material and legal forms of risks (fire, non-compliance of equipment with safety standards, etc.), this publication shows that the human factor should not be overlooked. The organisation of people's relationships should matter both in the buildings design and construction stage, and in the management of education. This report synthesizes the lessons learned from the Bologna-Florence seminar in May 1997. It examines the key issues of the seminar, namely prevention, protection and partnership, and considers their social and financial implications.