The voice of young people matters – the student councils came together

To have a voice and be able to make an impact 

110 representatives of the student councils met at Kaplakrika on Friday. They discussed the role of student councils, the right of children and young people to participate, and the importance of student councils being the voice of all the school's pupils, not just those who attend the training day.

Students also had the opportunity to consider how they can themselves have an impact on their school community and get their ideas and viewpoints across.

The student councils also worked on the project „Our Rules This Winter“.“, as they shaped their own guiding principles for the collaboration ahead. Consideration was given to how they:

• want to work together
• to have good communication
• to create an environment where everyone has the opportunity to participate and have their voice heard

The programme was varied and combined education, project work, collaboration and team-building.

And what did they hear?

• Samfés discussed the genuine participation of young people and what is needed for that participation to be genuine and meaningful.
• Then Sunna Magnúsdóttir, project manager for culture and tourism, gave the young people an insight into event management and how a good idea can become a fun event.
• Jóna Rán, the prevention officer, also led a lively team-building activity that tested cooperation, communication and problem-solving. The Hafnarfjörður Youth Council then presented its work and how young people can put forward their opinions and ideas and have an influence on issues that concern them.

„The day was, not least, about getting to know, connecting with, and learning from one another,“ says Þórunn Þórarinsdóttir, project manager for the Child-Friendly Municipality and supervisor of the Hafnarfjörður Youth Council.

„By bringing together representatives from the student councils of the town's schools, an opportunity is created to share ideas and experiences and to build an even stronger collaboration among teenagers in Hafnarfjörður,“ she says.

„The training day is well aligned with the priorities Child-friendly municipality “where the emphasis is on children and young people being given the opportunity to express their opinions, take an active part and have a real impact on issues that concern them," she says.

There was great energy in the group and it was clear that the Hafnarfjörður student councils have an exciting winter ahead of them.

Thank you for a fantastic day and for your participation, ideas and energy.