Agreement with Samtökin '78

The City of Hafnarfjörður and Samtökin '78 signed a partnership agreement today, Friday, 11 December 2015, for an educational collaboration commencing in 2016. The main aim of the agreement is to enhance services for pupils and staff in primary schools through education on the issues affecting queer people, based on equality and inherent human rights.

The main subject of the agreement is for staff from Samtök '78 to provide education for all staff of the town's primary schools during the 2016-2017 school year. This training aims to enable school staff to be better equipped to recognise, understand and discuss the issues concerning LGBTQ+ people in school life, in line with the priorities of the National Curriculum for Primary Schools. The plan is for new staff in the town's primary schools to receive this training annually thereafter, and as appropriate. Likewise, staff from Samtökin '78 will annually provide training to one year group in the primary schools, and Year 8 was chosen. That education will also begin in the 2016-2017 school year. Furthermore, Samtökin '78 will advise the municipal authorities on curriculum development related to the issues of queer people and their role within the social studies curriculum in the primary schools. The agreement also means that young people from Hafnarfjörður can access the services of Samtökin '78 free of charge, as needed. The municipality will pay the organisation a standard fee for its services to the town's primary schools and young people from Hafnarfjörður, in line with the services provided. The agreement is valid for one year but is intended to be renewed annually as long as there is a need for the aforementioned education.

Foundational knowledge for play and work in a diverse society 

Both the City of Hafnarfjörður and Samtökin '78 welcome the partnership agreement and look forward to its benefits. It is hoped that the collaboration will lead to increased knowledge and awareness among staff and pupils in primary schools about issues concerning people's sexuality, gender identity and sex characteristics. Research shows that such knowledge reduces bullying of LGBTQ+ students and improves their quality of life. It is a human rights issue in itself for individuals to receive appropriate education that helps them to live successful lives and fulfil their potential. Furthermore, it is a human rights issue that school staff and fellow pupils have the fundamental knowledge required to prepare for play and work in a diverse society that respects the uniqueness of every individual. This is what this partnership agreement between the City of Hafnarfjörður and Samtökin '78 is about.