New report will analyse Nordic pupils’ councils during the pandemic

The report will map pupils’ participation opportunities, and special attention will be on promising practices that promote engagement of all pupils and contributes positively to a good and equal learning environment.

The proposal, crafted by Ragný Þóra Guðjohnsen and Eva Harðardóttir from the Faculty of Education and Diversity at the University of Iceland, seeks to illuminate the state of pupils’ councils and youth engagement across Nordic countries. Young people’s citizenship, civic engagement and democratic practices in formal and informal educational settings have long been their research focus as well as teaching areas.

Equitable participation in pupils’ councils 

Central to the upcoming report is an examination of the legal and policy framework surrounding pupils’ councils in the Nordic region. This involves a deep dive into national regulations governing youth participation in educational settings, alongside an exploration of best practices and innovations within pupils’ council structures.

The University of Iceland’s proposal underscores the significance of addressing disparities in participation opportunities within pupils’ councils. This includes tackling inequalities in participation opportunities and offering recommendations for improvement to ensure that all voices are heard and valued in the decision-making process. With a structured approach, the methodology prioritises data collection methods and a robust analysis framework to ensure a thorough comprehension of the subject matter.

Success stories

The aim of the report is to provide insights for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders across the region.

The proposed report will show case studies from Nordic countries, spotlighting successful initiatives and lessons learned in promoting meaningful youth participation through pupils’ councils.

– We are happy to embark on this important report, anticipating its findings, says Merethe Løberg, Senior adviser at Nordic Welfare Centre.

A piece of a larger puzzle

This report forms part of a broader project examining the pandemic’s ramifications on children and youth’s right to be heard. With four other reports already launched, this initiative adds another layer to understanding the impacts of the pandemic on youth participation.

The report Child and youth participation during crisis  – Recommendations for decision makers in the Nordic region gives decision-makers guidelines and recommendation to better youth participation.

Restricted Childhood, Interrupted Youth – Research observations on participation of children and youth in education and leisure during the Covid-19 pandemic in the Nordic countries  maps research perspectives on children and young people’s varied experiences during the pandemic, for example on learning environments or results, and possibilities to meaningful leisure activities.

The report Children And Young People’s Participation During the Corona Pandemic – Nordic Initiatives gives an account of the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic during its different phases. And finally we have gathered filmed interviews with youth in the report Nordic youth voices – The pandemic and the right to be heard. They give insights into how the pandemic affected them, but also talk about how things could have been different.

All of the reports are part of the project Nordic Cooperation on Children and Young People’s Opportunities for Participation and Development During the Covid-19 Pandemic.