A new children's button and the Convention on the Rights of the Child
A special child button has been installed on the tablets of pupils in years 5-10 in the primary schools of the City of Hafnarfjörður. The icon opens access to a page where children and young people can describe their feelings, concerns or situations and request help from the school's guidance counsellor or social services for themselves or others.
Implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child continues
A special child button has been installed on the tablets of pupils in years 5-10 in the primary schools of the City of Hafnarfjörður. The child button opens access to a page where children and young people can describe their feelings, concerns or situations and request help from the school's guidance counsellor or social services for themselves or others. When assistance is requested, the school counsellor contacts the person who sent the message and obtains further information, and, if deemed necessary, informs the parents about the request for help. The case is then handled according to the school's procedures, with the child's welfare as the primary consideration. It is important to always bear in mind that all children and young people are entitled to protection and care, and the most crucial aspect of this is to support parents and guardians in their parenting role.
An opportunity to express one's own views
The City of Hafnarfjörður is implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Part of the implementation process is to give children the opportunity to express their views on matters concerning them (Article 12 of the Convention). Child-friendly municipality is a project that supports the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child throughout the municipality's governance and activities. The City of Hafnarfjörður's journey began with the signing of a partnership agreement with UNICEF in Iceland at the beginning of 2019. The implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child within the municipality, along with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, is part of Hafnarfjörður's comprehensive strategy, which is in place until 2035. The strategy emphasises that the standards of the Convention on the Rights of the Child are used in services for children and young people.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the guiding principle – five fundamental principles
Child-friendly municipalities are based on five core elements, all of which are linked to children's rights, knowledge of children's rights, the best interests of the child, equality – taking into account children's rights, children's participation and a child-friendly approach. The implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child involves the municipality's commitment to use the Convention as a guiding principle in its work, and for the five core elements to run as a common thread throughout the administration and activities of the municipality. 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 their services.
The journey towards UNICEF's recognition in Iceland
The new children's button is an example of an action in the municipality's journey to receive recognition as a UNICEF Child-Friendly Municipality in Iceland. The idea originated at the Hafnarfjörður Youth Assembly. At the youth assembly, children and young people from Hafnarfjörður are given a stronger voice and the opportunity to put forward their ideas concerning their home town of Hafnarfjörður and the services provided by the municipality. At the last forum, it became clear, among other things, that children and young people lack a platform to request help. Following further consideration and evaluation, the result was a 'child button' for all children in years 5-10 in Hafnarfjörður, which is introduced here.