The Youth Council put forward proposals to the town council.

All proposals referred for discussion 

Representatives of the Hafnarfjörður Youth Council put forward 12 proposals to the town council at their meeting today, 26 March. The young people discussed the importance of school nurses in primary schools, LGBTQ+ issues, greater consultation with young people, longer opening hours for swimming pools, and various other issues that are important to them.

They took the floor one after another. The town councillors listened attentively. Mayor Valdimar Víðisson said it was clear that the young people were insisting on being spoken to, not about.

„It's important that you also get a result and know what will happen to the proposals,“ said the mayor, thanking them for the detailed proposals and for the young people taking an interest in the community. They would be worked on over the coming weeks and months.

Working with the Youth Council

Kristín Thoroddsen said that as early as next week the youth council would be invited to a meeting of the Education Committee. Their proposals were both well-reasoned and detailed. She could see ways to work on most of them. She was looking forward to working even further with the young people.

Guðmundur Árni Stefánsson urged young people to take part in the political parties' youth work. Jón Ingi Hákonarson said the youth visit to the town council was one of the most enjoyable town council meetings of the year. Now would be the time for young people to put forward their issues, as there is only a year until the election.

Stefán Már Gunnlaugsson urged young people to champion the causes that had not yet advanced. „For a drop hollows a stone.“

This is what the proposals sounded like. The Hafnarfjörður Youth Council proposes:

1. The City of Hafnarfjörður is taking action for the benefit of young people with disabilities.
2. For nurses to be present every day in the primary schools of Hafnarfjörður.
3. That there should be more consultation with young people when decisions are made that affect children.
4. That the opening hours of the town's swimming pools be extended at weekends.
5. That representatives of the Youth Council are paid for attending meetings of councils and committees.
6. That the Youth Council be given representation on the Education Council.
7.  That the opening hours of the primary school libraries should be extended and the libraries made more accessible to pupils.
8. The City of Hafnarfjörður takes action for the benefit of queer youth.
9. To increase access to drama and singing options in all of the town's primary schools.
10. The number of rubbish bins in the town should be increased and their accessibility improved.
11. Free bus travel for children under 18, increased frequency on route 19 and expanded Strætó services in Setberg.

13-18 year-olds in the Youth Council

The Youth Council of Hafnarfjörður is a platform for young people aged 13-18. The emphasis is on training in democratic working methods, as well as communicating the views of young people to the relevant authorities within the system.

The Youth Council consists of two representatives from each primary school in Hafnarfjörður, three from each secondary school in Hafnarfjörður, and three representatives who are selected through the youth work.

The council has two staff members who work primarily as advisors and therefore do not influence its activities. The council's aim is to create a platform and channels for those under the age of 18 to communicate their opinions and suggestions to the relevant parties. The participation of young people is important for improving the services and conditions available to them. This is particularly true for matters that concern young people in one way or another and which they know from personal experience. These include schooling, leisure activities and the planning of the immediate environment.

More about the Hafnarfjörður Youth Council