Children's voices in decisions that concern them

Description of the action and objectives

Green Deal action

The goal is to ensure all children, especially those belonging to minority groups, have a voice in democratic decision-making processes. Emphasis will be placed on giving children opportunities to express their views on decisions that affect them in school and recreational activities. Standards will be developed for choosing children for participation to ensure diversity.

Implementation period

Planned completion in the second half of 2023

Status: Completed

Status report on January 1, 2024

Action completed. Support materials have been added to the Education Policy toolbox, including videos about school, student, and youth councils. These materials also include guidelines for selecting council representatives and demo videos and slides for workshops to be held within city districts with council representatives. There is also a variety of tools to support democratic activities in school and recreational programs. There is ongoing collaboration with Almannaheill for a democracy festival, which will be piloted in fall 2025. Currently, 95% of schools have a student representative in the school council, 62% have an active student council, and 13% hold student assemblies. Additionally, 51% of after-school programs have children's councils. Five workshops were held with representatives from student councils in each district, along with teachers and youth center staff. Started strategic implementation and removed from the action plan of the Green Deal.

Older status reports

Below you can find older status reports with information on the progress of the action since its inception (if you're using your phone, it's better to turn it sideways).
Timing Progress description
July 2023

Support materials have been added to the Education Policy toolbox, including videos about school, student, and youth councils. These materials also include guidelines for selecting council representatives and demo videos and slides for workshops to be held within city districts with council representatives. There is also a variety of tools to support democratic activities in school and recreational programs. There is ongoing collaboration with Almannaheill for a democracy festival, which will be piloted in fall 2025. Currently, 95% of schools have a student representative in the school council, 62% have an active student council, and 13% hold student assemblies, and 51% of after-school programs have children's councils.

January 2023 Everyone can apply and utilize the indicators of the Education Policy. The number of Rights Respecting Schools, Rights Respecting After-School Programs, and preschools are steadily increasing. Education is available.
July 2022 New implementation plan developed, approved, and launched. This is an ongoing project that will be in progress from 2022 to 2024. To monitor progress, a status assessment is made twice a year, at the end of the year and at the end of June.

Connection of action to Reykjavík City's policies:

Reykjavík City departments:

Related actions

The table below contains actions related to this initiative, and you can access more information by clicking on the "action title" in the table (if you're using your phone, it's better to turn it sideways).

Action name

Completion Departments
Education and advice on climate and environmental issues

for school and recreational activity staff
2024 Department of Education & Youth
Reduce carbon footprint - Implementation of green screens in primary schools 2024 Department of Education & Youth
Increased access to equipment for staff and children in school and recreational activities 2023 Department of Education & Youth
Advice and professional development for school and recreational staff 2024 Department of Education & Youth
Health-promoting school and recreational activities 2025 Department of Education & Youth
Sexual health awareness 2024 Department of Education & Youth
Children's voices in decisions that concern them 2023 Department of Education & Youth
Implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 2023 Department of Education & Youth
Implementation of the Prosperity Act 2025 Department of Education & Youth
Allocation of funds in preschools and recreational activities 2025 Department of Education & Youth
Collaboration with the University of Iceland's School of Education 2022 Department of Education & Youth
Development and Innovation Fund for the Department of Education & Youth 2024 Department of Education & Youth
Building policy for school and recreational activities 2023 Department of Education & Youth

Department of Environment & Planning
Joint use of school and after-school facilities 2024 Department of Education & Youth

Department of Welfare
Professional development on language and literacy 2023 Department of Education & Youth
Increased cultural sensitivity and cultural literacy 2023 Department of Education & Youth
Rainbow Certification in school and recreation 2025 Department of Education & Youth
Education Innovation Lab 2023 Department of Education & Youth
The Reykjavík City Cultural Curriculum 2024 Department of Education & Youth