Celebrating that Hafnarfjörður is formally certified child-friendly

Hafnarfjörður, a child-friendly municipality

„I'm so pleased with this; that Hafnarfjörður has finally become a child-friendly municipality after many years of planning, meetings and so much work from everyone involved,“ said Nína Sólveig Svavarsdóttir, who is soon finishing her term on the Hafnarfjörður Youth Council after three years.

„I was brought up in Hafnarfjörður and everyone who knows me knows how much I talk about this town. That won't be any less now because we can all finally also be proud to be a child-friendly municipality!“

Thinking of the children's best interests

There was a great atmosphere today as the Youth Council of Hafnarfjörður, representatives of UNICEF and the town, as well as other guests, celebrated the town of Hafnarfjörður being formally certified as a child-friendly community. UNICEF has certified the town's working methods. Children in Hafnarfjörður can now be assured that their best interests are at heart. „A great moment,“ said Valdimar Víðisson, the mayor, at the ceremony today.

„We are proud of our children here in Hafnarfjörður. They remind us of what is important: to listen, to ask questions, to be creative, to have courage and to see life with eyes that are always looking for opportunities. They are the heart of our town,“ he said.

„What I find so beautiful about this journey is that now we don't make decisions about the children without the children. It's not just a slogan but a real change in the way we think and work. The children's voices matter, and they are heard here in Hafnarfjörður.“

The zeal and perseverance of Hafnarfjörður

Birna Þórarinsdóttir, Executive Director of UNICEF, said in her address that the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður had shown exceptional commitment, diligence and perseverance in becoming a child-friendly municipality, which was much to be celebrated. „Becoming a child-friendly municipality is not a task about ticking boxes on forms, not at all. Rather, it is a project about changing mindsets,“ she said. The harvest day was particularly sweet.

„It is important to remember that this is a milestone, not a destination. You have achieved tremendous success in ensuring children's participation in the town's activities and in making sure the town's activities are better tailored to the rights and needs of children, but there is still a great deal to do,“ she said, adding that UNICEF looked forward to continuing to work with the town.

„This is not an easy recognition to come by, but I can tell you from my own experience that the success achieved here in Iceland with municipal projects is noticed all over the world,“ she said. The success resonates widely across the globe.

A council that listens to children

Valdimar agreed that the recognition was a milestone. „A child-friendly community is one that is constantly listening, constantly learning and constantly improving. We are not creating a town just for children, we are creating a town with children. And that makes us all richer.".

Nína Sólveig then reminded us that the work of being a child-friendly municipality never stops. „And I hope that future generations, those who go into the next steering group, the new town council next year and those who will take over from me in the Youth Council, will do everything to want to keep this title and thank everyone who came before to make this happen.“

Valdimar also thanked everyone who took part in the journey, but especially the children. „You have taught us so much and deserve all the credit for us being here today,“ he said.

„Congratulations, Hafnarfjörður! Congratulations, dear children and young people, this is your day, your recognition and your future.“