The Directorate of Health
Symposium on the Whole-of-Society Approach to Prevention Month
12th October 2026
What are the main public health challenges facing children and young people today? Are the interests of children and young people consistently prioritised in decision-making? How can the government, municipalities, sports organisations, and society as a whole work together to create a safe, health-promoting environment where all children and young people can grow up?
-Automatic translation
These questions will be at the heart of the Symposium on the Whole-of-Society Approach to Prevention Month, taking place on Wednesday, 14 October, from 10:45 to 12:00 at Herkastalinn, Suðurlandsbraut 72, Reykjavík. The symposium will also be livestreamed.
The symposium is titled "Public Health Challenges Facing Children and Young People – Safety and Wellbeing for All Children and Young People Through Coordinated Community Action, from Parliament to Local Communities."
The event is partly inspired by a recent report by a working group appointed by the Minister of Health on public health challenges facing children and young people, which presents 37 proposed actions to be implemented by 2035.
The report emphasises that effective health promotion and prevention require coordinated, comprehensive action at all levels of society. Through these efforts, Iceland has achieved considerable success in reducing alcohol consumption and other risk behaviours among young people. To safeguard these achievements, remain alert to emerging challenges, and ensure that government authorities and other key stakeholders prioritise public health and the protection of children and young people, it is essential to maintain vigilance.
Speakers at the symposium:
Alma D. Möller, Minister of Health.
Karl Steinar Valsson, Chief Superintendent and Head of the Analysis and Security Division at the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police.
Willum Þór Þórsson, President of the National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland (ÍSÍ).
The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion. Eyrún Magnúsdóttir, a journalist, will moderate the symposium and lead the panel discussion.
The symposium is organised by the Directorate of Health as part of Prevention Month, in collaboration with the President of Iceland, the Icelandic Youth Association (UMFÍ), the National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland (ÍSÍ), Home and School – the National Parents Association, Samfés (the Icelandic Association of Youth Centres), the City of Reykjavík, and the Icelandic Scout Movement.
Everyone interested is warmly invited to attend the symposium, either in person or via livestream.