Join Us for the Launch of the Nordic Navigator!

May 29 at 13:00-14:30 CET ON LIVE LINK – Program below

Children in the Nordic region have an unequivocal right to be protected from abuse. Equally important is their right to be protected from becoming perpetrators of abuse themselves. The Nordic Navigator of Safety and Wellbeing in Gaming and Digital Spaces is designed to do both. It is built on the vision that much of the abusive behavior perpetrated online by youth can be countered using material that has already proven to be successful in terms of increasing emotional resilience and wellbeing, as well as improving social and communication skills.

When it comes to online abuse of children by adults, that too can be detected and prevented by increasing the awareness among teachers, youth workers and other professionals about digital harms and how to make online spaces safer for youth.

The Nordic Navigator offers a roadmap to outstanding resources from Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland that combat a wide range of digital harms, from cyberbullying to sexual harassment, toxicity and risk behavior. Built on an intersectional foundation, this tool can be used to locate resources from all over the Nordic region to combat specific online harms rooted for example in racism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, classism and ableism using multiple different formats, including teaching materials, games, films, campaigns, handbooks, hotlines, take-down guides, websites, anti-radicalization efforts, podcasts, online communities and more. Whether the youth that needs support is being abused, subjecting others to abuse or both, the Nordic Navigator offers measures for prevention, intervention and support.

13:00–13:05

Opening Remarks

🎤 Thordis Elva, Chair of NORDREF

Welcome ADDRESS AND VISION OF THE GAME CHANGER PROJECT

13:05–13:20

The Vision for Nordic Leadership

🎤 Benedikta Sörensen, Founder of the Violence Prevention School, and Dagbjört Strandberg, Expert at Center for Digital Pædagogik

Why we're here: Officially launching the Nordic Navigator—designed to make life easier for anyone working to further the digital wellbeing of Nordic youth. This session highlights how the initiative, 

alongside the info pack, positions the Nordic countries as leaders in the digital rights of youth.

13:20–13:45

Digital Youth Ambassadors Panel

🎤 Moderator: Thordis Elva | Panelists: Íris Þóra Birgisdóttir (Iceland), Arvid Roos Isaksson (Sweden), Liv Skov (Denmark) and Ella Cancara (Finland)

Ambassadors present their analyses of the strengths and gaps of individual Nordic countries in terms of digital resources for youth, with brief presentations of their personal projects advancing digital rights in the region.

13:45–14:10

Expert Interview & Special Recognition

🎤 Skúli Bragi Geirdal – Head of Icelandic Safer Internet Center

Expert discussion on digital rights and online youth wellbeing, 

followed by a special honoring of two outstanding Nordic initiatives.

14:10–14:25

Youth Perspectives: Digital Realities and Solutions

🎤 Representative from Samfés – National Association of Youth Centers in Iceland

Insights into digital challenges faced by Icelandic youth and Samfés' proposed solutions for promoting the digital rights of youth.

14:25–14:30

Closing Remarks & Call to Action

Final message, key takeaways, and next steps for attendees to engage with the Nordic Navigator.