Thirteen proposals from the Hafnarfjörður Youth Council

The Youth Council of Hafnarfjörður put forward thirteen proposals to the town council at yesterday's meeting, which address matters concerning our young people in one way or another: school activities, leisure activities, and the planning of the immediate environment. The City Council welcomed all of the Youth Council's proposals and unanimously agreed to refer them to the relevant committees for discussion and action.

The recommendations of the Hafnarfjörður Youth Council are as follows:

1. Free bus ride – It was proposed that children and young people in Hafnarfjörður be given free bus travel. It was unanimously agreed to refer the matter to the Environment and Operations Committee.
2. Increase and renewal of rubbish bins It is proposed that the council's rubbish bins be renewed and their number increased. It was unanimously agreed to refer the matter to the Environment and Operations Committee.
3. New dog area – It was proposed that facilities for dog owners be improved with a new dog park. It was unanimously agreed to refer the matter to the Environment and Operations Committee.
4. First Aid in Primary School It was proposed that greater emphasis be placed on teaching first aid in Hafnarfjörður's primary schools. It was unanimously agreed to refer the matter to the Education Committee.
5. A cinema for Hafnarfjörður – it was proposed that ways be sought to bring a cinema to Hafnarfjörður. It was unanimously agreed to refer the matter to the town council.
6. No school swimming in the junior department A proposal was made to abolish compulsory swimming for pupils in the upper years of primary school. It was unanimously agreed to refer the matter to the Education Committee.
7. Blue Lagoon bus from Hafnarfjörður – It was proposed that bus services be offered from Fjörður to Bláfjöll. It was unanimously agreed to refer the matter to the Environment and Operations Committee.
8. Less homework in primary schools A proposal was made to reduce homework in Hafnarfjörður's primary schools. It was unanimously agreed to refer the matter to the Education Committee.
9. Equality education A proposal was made to enhance gender equality education in Hafnarfjörður's primary schools. It was unanimously agreed to refer the matter to the town council.
10. „The Cocoa Station“ – a community centre – it was proposed that a youth centre be opened in the centre of Hafnarfjörður, open to teenagers from all areas of the town. It was unanimously agreed to refer the matter to the Education Committee.
11. Let school start later It was proposed that the start time for the primary school be later in the day. It was unanimously agreed to refer the matter to the Education Committee.
12. Charging stations in the city centre A proposal was made to install more charging points for cars and electric scooters in the centre of Hafnarfjörður. It was unanimously agreed to refer the matter to the Environment and Operations Committee.
13. School Fitness Park in Hafnarfjörður A proposal was made to set up a school fitness trail in Hafnarfjörður. It was unanimously agreed to refer the matter to the Environment and Operations Committee.

The minutes of the town council can be viewed here.

About the Hafnarfjörður 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. 

^{A great group from the Hafnarfjörður Youth Council with the Hafnarfjörður Town Council.} 

The Youth Council is composed of two representatives from each primary school in Hafnarfjörður, three from each secondary school in Hafnarfjörður, and three representatives who are selected through Hamarinn at Suðurgata 14. 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 for them. This is especially true for matters that concern young people in one way or another and which they know from personal experience. These include school activities, leisure activities and the planning of the immediate environment.

Further information about the Hafnarfjörður Youth Council can be found here.