Nordic Safe Cities

Nordic Safe Cities is an alliance of cities working to increase safety in cities in the Nordic countries. The Alliance assists member cities in increasing safety in cities, countering increased polarization, and fighting against extremism and hate. The Nordic Safe Cities Alliance was established by the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2016 and is now an independent association. The City of Reykjavík has been a member of the association since 2017.

City of Reykjavík participation

The Office of Human Rights & Democracy oversees the City of Reykjavík's participation in Nordic Safe Cities. The Violence Prevention Committee (now the Human Rights & Violence Prevention Council) approved proposals for the City of Reykjavík's continued participation in Nordic Safe Cities on June 8, 2020, and the establishment of a working group to work on this action plan and submit proposals for the next steps.

Nordic Safe Cities goals

Nordic Safe Cities emphasize six areas that all focus on different aspects of urban culture. The goal is to make cities and their residents safer.

The areas are as follows:

  1. Safe public spaces
  2. Safe Internet
  3. Strong families
  4. Safe public institutions
  5. Strong youth connections
  6. Safe communities

Special emphasis is placed on:

  1. Prevention and ensuring the participation of children and young people in school and recreation activities, including reaching out and building relationships with their families
  2. Dialogue with residents, especially young people, minority groups, and groups with little connection to their local community
  3. Education on hate speech within the administrative system and transparent and reliable information on its negative impact on residents and democracy
  4. Urban planning that increases participation and responsibility of people in their local environment

Contact

You can contact the Human Rights and Democracy Office if you want to know more.

  • Tómas Ingi Adolfsson, Specialist with the Human Rights & Democracy Office, can provide details.
    • Email: Tomas.Ingi.Adolfsson@reykjavik.is