The Hafnarfjörður Youth Guard

The student councils met at the Haukaheimilið.

Dozens of young people from all of Hafnarfjörður's primary schools gathered in the Haukar hall at Ásvellir this morning. They sought knowledge and resources for their peer education and their work in the schools' student councils.

„It's important that our young people have a voice in our community. This is fundamental now that we have become a child-friendly municipality – and it was also the case before. We have always supported the pupil councils, which are in every school, well. These are the student councils for each school, and they liaise with the youth council,“ says Stella B. Kristinsdóttir, Manager of Prevention and Leisure Activities.

„We are here today to teach them all their coping mechanisms, empower them and encourage them to do good deeds while they are on the student council,“ she says. The day is fun; they make connections across schools.

„They also work together when we organise a primary school party, pair up for a ball and for certain events,“ says Stella about this networking and knowledge day for the student councils.

The young people worked in teams and discussed violence in their environment and what they could do about it. They also discussed what might prevent them from responding if they witnessed violence. The aim was, among other things, to hear how they felt the problem should be addressed. They were also asked to put themselves in the shoes of the management.

Faris, Hrafnhildur, Helgi, Fjóla and Móa were in the group. Faris from Hvaleyrarskóli is in his first year on the student council. „I wanted to try something new,“ he says. „I'm here for the experience and I'm enjoying the day.“

Fjóla and Móa are in Year 10 at Öldutúnsskóli. „It's an exciting and fun day,“ says Fjóla, who has been on the student council for two years. Móa is in her first year. But does it matter? „Yes,“ they answer in unison. Fjóla says the work is important and that they in Year 8 really benefit from their first day like this.

Hrafnhildur, a Year 9 pupil at Hraunvallar School, says she enjoyed the work. „Yes, I wanted to take part and thought it would be fun. Yes, it is fun and I'm enjoying the day. I like what we're talking about. It makes everything clear.“

Helgi in Year 10 at Lækjarskóli says his interest in social affairs led him to the student council. „I've been on the council for three years. So I've sat through days like this before. Yes, it works. You learn how to be on a student council, and I recommend it.“