Fifteen Austrian youth workers sought knowledge in Hafnarfjörður

International youth work co-operation

The community center Aldan and WienXtra received funding from Erasmus+ to learn from and share knowledge and experiences with each other. Fifteen youth workers from Vienna visited our town from the 3rd to 7th of February. They looked at how Icelandic after-school centres, community centres and other youth activities promote the inclusion of children with disabilities. Also how their opportunities to participate in leisure activities are increasing. They were also introduced to the Icelandic prevention model and how it manifests itself in work with young people.

A red storm alert and Primary School Festival

There was great satisfaction with the visit and the hosts were grateful to all those who welcomed the group. They got a real Icelandic experience with a red weather warning. Visits had to be postponed and moved, as well as events related to the weather. That seemed exciting to them. The group ended the visit by visiting the Primary School Festival (Grunnskólahátíðin) a day later than planned and talked a lot about the flexibility of the staff and artists who performed at the festival.

At the end of March, a group of 15 people from a few of Hafnarfjörður´s community centers; Aldan, Vitinn and Setrið, along with the director of leisure activities and prevention, will visit Vienna to learn about the inclusion of young people with diverse cultural backgrounds in youth work and education about violence prevention work that is carried out in community centers there.

Indeed, international cooperation provides fresh ideas and increased open-mindedness.