110 children and young people let their light shine at a youth conference
Over 110 representatives of children and young people in the 8th to 10th grades of Hafnarfjörður's primary schools came together for the Hafnarfjörður Youth Assembly this week. The Youth Forum was conceived and organised as an open and encouraging platform and a unique opportunity for the children and young people of Hafnarfjörður to express their opinions and viewpoints.
An open and encouraging platform for brainstorming and exchanging ideas
Over 110 representatives of children and young people in the 8th to 10th grades of Hafnarfjörður's primary schools came together for the Hafnarfjörður Youth Forum, held at Sjónarhóll this week. The Youth Forum was conceived and organised as an open and encouraging platform and a unique opportunity for children and young people in Hafnarfjörður to express their opinions and viewpoints concerning their home town and the services provided by the municipality. The Youth Forum is part of the municipality's journey towards receiving recognition from UNICEF Iceland as a child-friendly municipality.
Younger residents get a stronger voice and opportunities for participation
A discussion was called for in Parliament on various matters concerning the welfare of children and young people in the municipality. The group was asked, among other things, whether everyone gets equal opportunities in school, sports and leisure activities, what they would like to learn at school, and whether they are given the space to express their opinions. The children were also asked what they think about the environment in Hafnarfjörður, social affairs, culture, mental health, prevention, and transport. The representatives worked well, and the next step is to analyse the results of the conference, which will be presented in more detail at a later date. Hafnarfjörður is working to implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into all its governance and activities, as part of the Child-Friendly Cities project, and the youth council is a part of this implementation. The council's decision to implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child is a recognition that the knowledge and experience of children and young people is valuable to the council. Child-friendly local authorities promote the active participation of children in matters that concern them, and they consult with children and young people in a targeted manner to improve, adapt and enhance their services.
Around 110 children and young people made their voices heard at the Hafnarfjörður Youth Assembly this week.
20 November is the Day of Children's Rights
20 November is the International Day of Children's Rights and the anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. It has been 33 years since the Convention was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. The Convention on the Rights of the Child has led to widespread changes in attitudes towards children, and its influence can be seen everywhere. Of particular note are the Convention's core principle of a child's right to participation and influence, and its requirement that decisions and measures concerning children should be based on what is in their best interests, that they be consulted, and their views taken into account. Hafnarfjörður marks the Day of the Human Rights of the Child with an idea collection and a youth conference in the run-up to the day. The United Nations' Global Goals and the Convention on the Rights of the Child are the foundation for all of Hafnarfjörður's activities and a guiding principle in its vision and comprehensive strategy for 2035.