The project took place in spring 2021 and it aimed to empower immigrant youth of foreign origin and encourage more active participation in society.
• The first part of the project:
Youth leader workshop for 6 youth aged 16 to 19. They received leadership training that introduced them to general leadership, self-development, multiculturalism, sustainability, and a regenerative environment. The final step in the leadership training was a weekend trip to Selfoss where they worked together and created a summer camp program for their younger peers. The summer camp then took place on June 11 to 13 where they implemented the program they created as a team.
• Second part of the project:
Younger youth age12 to 16 were led by the leaders, met for the very first time on Friday the 11th of June at Gerðuberg, where the project was introduced, games were played and the 31 youth get to know each other. On June 12th and 13th, the group led by the group leaders and supervised by 2 teachers and 4 adult volunteers head off to South of Iceland (Aldviðra and Selfoss). The children were given the opportunity to discuss many topics that are important to their development such as multiculturalism, sustainability, and nature, their situation as an immigrant, and their power to make a difference. These topics were discussed and introduced through lectures, games, and group work.
• Impact of the project
The project is very important. It is clear that 75% of adolescents of foreign origin in Iceland do not meet the school standards in compulsory school and therefore they fail to attend upper secondary school. This issue will have a significant effect on our society.
Móðurmál and Adventures For Students Iceland believe that empowering our youth is very important. We wanted to contribute to strengthening young people’s self-confidence and encouraging active participation in society.
