Stækkaðu framtíðina Initiative Launched by Ministers Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir and Ásmundur Einar Daðason
Today, Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir, Minister of Higher Education, Industry and Innovation, and Ásmundur Einar Daðason, Minister of Education and Children, introduced the Stækkaðu framtíðina initiative. The project aims to broaden students’ horizons and provide all young people in Iceland with the opportunity to connect with diverse role models. This is achieved by linking professionals from various sectors with classrooms across the country, where they share their career experiences and educational journeys with students.
The purpose of Stækkaðu framtíðina is to open the eyes of children and young people to the opportunities that the future holds, encouraging greater interest in education and helping them see the relevance of their studies in relation to their future prospects. The project strives to ensure that all young people, regardless of their background or location, can discover the range of career possibilities available to them, gain insight into different professions, and hear personal stories from working professionals, while also developing a deeper interest in education and future opportunities.
“Children can’t aspire to be what they can’t see – that’s why we all need to play a part in expanding their future, showing them the possibilities, and encouraging them to aim higher. We need to spark their interest in new subjects and future challenges, increasing the chances that young people will embrace new skills and be open to careers they may not even know exist yet,” said Áslaug Arna.
“When children and young people start looking to the future, they often have a limited view of the wide variety of careers available to them. It’s in all our best interests that children can explore a range of options, have real choices for their future, and thrive on their own terms. That’s why I want to encourage as many people as possible to join us in this effort!” added Ásmundur Einar.
Diverse Volunteers for a Diverse Group of Students
At today’s launch event, Áslaug Arna and Ásmundur Einar encouraged people from various industries to take part in Stækkaðu framtíðina. Participation in the project is simple. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can sign up via the project’s website, stækkaðuframtíðina.is. Volunteers can choose how many school visits they can commit to, depending on their time and interest. Just one classroom visit per year is enough to contribute to the initiative.
Anyone willing to inspire young people by sharing their educational and career journey is encouraged to sign up. A diverse group of volunteers is needed to reach the diverse student population, and volunteers do not need to be in managerial positions to take part.
Teachers in primary and secondary schools will have access to the project’s database to find the right person to invite into their classrooms. Volunteer visits will begin across the country in the autumn.
Watch the launch video here: https://www.youtube.com/embed/MPz0U8dymso?si=h-JXqH_1VYbrX5hI
Be the Role Model You Needed!
When young people are choosing their education and career paths, the role models in their environment have a significant influence. For all children to find the education and future careers where they can thrive, they need to be exposed to different pathways by a diverse group of people.
Some children need a role model who shares their background, perhaps from the same town, ethnicity, or gender, while others need to meet someone working in a field they didn’t even know was a possibility. Having diverse role models is a privilege, and together we can provide that privilege to all children in Iceland.
12 Years of Experience from the UK
Stækkaðu framtíðina is the Icelandic version of the Inspiring the Future project, which began in the UK in 2012. Since then, around 52,000 volunteers have taken part, with excellent results. The project has also been implemented in Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland. In Iceland, the project is managed by NýMennt (Innovation and Education Community at the University of Iceland School of Education) and was launched by the Ministry of Higher Education, Industry and Innovation, and the Ministry of Education and Children.
Watch the live broadcast of today’s press conference here: https://www.visir.is/g/20242536197d/bein-ut-sending-staekkadu-fram-tidina
