The new support button for kids – UN´s Safety of the Child

The new support Button for kids and the United Nations Convention on the Safety of the Child

The implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child continues

In the beginning of 2024, a special button was set up on the tablets of children in grades 5-10 in the primary schools of Hafnarfjörður. By clicking the icon or button, you get access to a website where children and young people can describe the way they are feeling, their concerns or circumstances, and ask for the help of a school counsellor or child protection, for themselves or others. All matters received via the button are first sent to the school counsellor of the respective school, who then contacts the person who sent the message and receives more information, as well as informing the parents about the request for help, if it is deemed necessary. The processing of the matter then depends on the school’s procedures, where the child’s well-being is the guiding principle. It is important to always keep in mind that all children and young people should have protection and care, and it is most important to strengthen parents and guardians in their parenting role.

The child’s right to be heard

Hafnarfjörður is implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). A part of the implementation process is the child’s right to express their views freely in all matters affecting the child (Article 12 of the CRC). A child-friendly municipality is a project that supports the implementation of the CRC, in all its administration and operations.  This journey began with the signature of a partnership agreement between Hafnarfjörður and UNICEF Iceland in the beginning of year 2019. The implementation of the CRC in the municipality, along with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, is a part of Hafnarfjörður’s comprehensive policy, valid until 2035. The policy places emphasis on meeting the criteria of the CRC in all services to children and youths.

The CRC is the guiding principle – five fundamentals

Child-friendly municipalities are based on five fundamentals that all relate to the rights of children, knowledge of children’s rights, what is best for the child, equality – regard for children’s rights, children’s participation, and child-friendly approach. By implementing the CRC, the municipalities agree to keep the CRC as the guiding principle in their operations and to keep the five fundamentals as a constant factor in all their administration and operations. Child-friendly municipalities promote the active participation of children in matters affecting them, and the municipalities have the obligation to systematically consult with children and young people in order to improve services.

The journey towards a UNICEF Iceland accreditation

The new support button for kids (barnahnappurinn) is an example of an action in Hafnarfjörður’s plan to receive an accreditation from UNICEF Iceland as a child-friendly municipality. The idea came about during the Hafnarfjörður Youth Council session, held last autumn. The Youth Council gives children and young people a strong platform to present their ideas regarding the services of their hometown of Hafnarfjörður. During the most recent council session, children and youths expressed the need for a better way to ask for help. After further examination, assessment, and review, this resulted in the support button for all children in grades 5-10 in Hafnarfjörður, as presented here.

• Strategy for 2035 (Icelandic)
• Hafnarfjarðarbær is a child-friendly municipality – the journey (Icelandic)