We are the village: Collaboration is the key to success

Large turnout at meeting on the safety and well-being of young people

„If we, the parents, the schools and the City of Hafnarfjörður work together in good faith, we can create an environment where our children enjoy well-being, safety and a secure learning environment,“ said Vala Steinsdóttir, the newly-elected chair of the Parents„ Council of Hafnarfjörður, at an open meeting in the Bæjarbíó yesterday. “The key to success is simple: cooperation, genuine interest and a willingness to stand together."

Well-being is the prerequisite for flourishing.

There was a good turnout, with around 100 people attending the meeting in the series. We are the village which was entitled: „The future is bright if we all want it.“  Mayor Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir opened the meeting and pointed out that the aim of the series of meetings was to find new ways and ideas to improve the well-being and safety of children and young people in the town. „We need to ask; what can we do as a community and a village, how do we approach one another, our young people and their peers?“

Rósa said that the well-being of young people is a prerequisite for them to be able to flourish in society. „The undesirable behaviour we see is a result of distress that is breaking through. It is then the community that surrounds the children and young people; the parents, sports clubs and friends who need to come together and support those who are not feeling well enough.“

Representatives from the youth, the police, the school community and the local council were on a panel and responded to questions from the audience. The meeting was facilitated by coach Eva Mattadóttir.

We need to work with genuine enthusiasm.

Vala pointed out that the parents„ council was a forum for cooperation between the parents“ associations in Hafnarfjörður's primary schools. The association had representatives on the municipality's key councils. "But cooperation must be based on genuine interest," she said.

„We really need to get inside the children's heads. We need to listen to them, engage in discussions with them and create a space where they feel they are valued. Open and regular communication between parents and schools is the key – that's where we can celebrate successes, big and small, and resolve problems as they arise,“ she said, urging more parents to be more involved.

„It's often the case that relatively few parents, often the same ones, get involved in the work of parents“ associations. This is a challenge that most parents' associations are familiar with. But if we want to see changes, whether that's a better school atmosphere or increased safety for our children, then we parents must be part of the solution. We cannot sit on the sidelines and rely on others to take the initiative – we all have to play our part," she said.

The hall took an active part in the meeting.

Participants at the meeting spoke up, and there was widespread encouragement for adults to be more active with their children. However, young people also need to be given the opportunity to build each other's confidence and make their own case. Adults should then step in during difficult situations if necessary. A parent in the room emphasised the importance of knowing the other parents. They should think of all children as their own.

The discussion covered a wide range of topics. Bullying, gender and sex education. We discussed different cultures and the various situations within homes. Words were put on paper, and there are plans to work on them. The question was asked what we, as a community, could do to support the safety and well-being of the children. The answers were varied, and the results can be seen here:

It was clear from the meeting that people could take the closing words of the chairperson of the parents' council to heart. „We can build the village we can all be proud of.“

Don't miss the next meeting in the series. We are the village. Advice will be given there on how to improve the well-being of children.

• Where? At the town cinema
• When? 15th October at 8 p.m.