Peer education at Hitt Húsið is in full swing!
The Hitt Húsið's peer education program started this summer and has been highly successful. This project is part of Reykjavík City's prevention efforts and is built on the principle that young people learn best from other young people. Each summer a new peer education group takes the lead, and this year's group is especially outstanding!
Three-week preparatory course
At the beginning of summer, 15 young people attended a three-week preparatory course where they received training from diverse experts and professionals. Topics included mental health, sex education, LGBT+ issues, violence, racial prejudice and the effects of conflicts around the world. After completing the course, the young people took on the role of educators and then began visiting teenagers throughout the city.
This summer the educators visit work-study groups in Reykjavík and neighboring municipalities, holding sessions on issues that affect youth. The emphasis is on creating a safe space, opening up important discussions, and encouraging critical thinking, self-reflection, and active participation. And it's all on a peer-to-peer basis.
Over 1,000 young people educated
Over the past three weeks, the educators have taught about one thousand young people in 8th-10th grade. The goal is to reach all 9th and 10th grade classes in Reykjavík's Work-Study Groups during the first and second summer sessions, since the peer education program's work period doesn't cover the third. We are well on our way to achieving this goal.
Along with visits to work-study groups, the peer educators have also held sessions for numerous community center groups that have contacted them requesting presentations.
The peer education team is busy booking sessions outside of work-study programs and has already visited groups in Hvolsvöllur, Hella and the Westman Islands. They are also exploring additional avenues to reach young people, such as through sports clubs and workplaces where youth make up a large portion of the staff.
Peer education street festival
On July 2, the annual peer education street festival took place. The program included musical performances, a secondhand clothing market and fun for everyone ages 14-20. All proceeds were donated to UNICEF's emergency fund for children in Gaza.
On Monday, the educators were invited to Bessastaðir where they met with Halla Tómasdóttir, president of Iceland. At the meeting, they discussed the current situation of young people and the challenges they face.
Now the educators continue to visit groups with the goal of having a positive impact on society and their peers.