Key findings of the Hafnarfjörður Youth Assembly

Proactive implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

Just over 110 representatives of children and young people in Years 8-10 of Hafnarfjörður's state schools came together at Hafnarfjörður Youth Assembly at the end of 2022. Hafnarfjörður is working systematically to implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child throughout all its governance and activities, under the 'Child-Friendly Local Governments' project, and the Youth Assembly is part of this implementation.

Children and young people want to be part of the decision-making process.

The council called for discussion and opinions on various issues concerning the welfare of children and young people in the municipality. The council's findings indicate that while the City of Hafnarfjörður is doing many things well, there are opportunities for improvement in various areas. The outcomes of the youth council were divided into four categories: 1) Education, 2) Social life and culture, 3) Prevention and mental health, and 4) Environmental issues. In all areas, it was clear that children and young people want to be part of decision-making and be consulted.

Education – key findings

When it comes to school matters, children and young people are calling for an increased presence of a nurse during school hours, better and more varied school meals, for swimming to be a compulsory exam, or for swimming to become an optional subject when they reach secondary school. Children and young people also call for teaching and curriculum that will better serve them in the future, for example, financial literacy.

Social life and culture – key findings

In the category of social life and culture, it emerged that children and young people are very happy with the wide range of sports and leisure activities available within the town, but called for better promotion of what is on offer. There was a call for more funding for youth clubs, a more teen-focused town centre, and a teen-focused programme at the Town Cinema.

Prevention and Mental Health – Key Findings

In the prevention and mental health category, children and young people are calling for increased education in schools. This includes sex and gender education, anti-bullying education, human rights education, LGBTQ+ education, education on racism and prejudice, disability education, environmental education, and education on prevention and mental health. There is also a call for sex and gender education to be more targeted and to start earlier in a child's schooling, and for school staff to receive general training on child abuse and mental illness. Increased access to, and shorter waiting times for, a psychologist were also requested.

Environment – key findings

When it comes to environmental matters, it is worth noting that children and young people are very fond of the centre of Hafnarfjörður, finding it colourful and beautiful. It emerged that children and young people consider it important to review the public bus route network to better take into account the needs of children with regard to sports and leisure activities. The young people also believe it is important for children and young people to have free bus travel. There was a call for better lighting throughout the town, along with more rubbish bins and recycling bins. The children felt it was important to ensure the bins are emptied regularly and are at a suitable height for children. There was also a call for play equipment to be improved, especially that which could pose a safety risk.

The findings result in an action plan.

The outcomes of the youth council will be used to develop an action plan that clearly outlines the objectives of the City of Hafnarfjörður and the actions that need to be taken to implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.