Cooperation agreement between Lofoten Council and Lofoten Youth Council
We at the Lofoten Council are proud to announce the signing of a cooperation agreement with the Lofoten Youth Council (LUT). Through this agreement, we are intensifying our efforts to ensure that the voice of youth is heard in all important issues concerning Lofoten.
LUT is an inter-municipal political council consisting of representatives from the youth councils in Røst, Værøy, Moskenes, Flakstad, Vestvågøy and Vågan municipalities. The main purpose of LUT is to safeguard the interests and rights of children and young people in Lofoten, and to communicate these to us in the Lofoten Council. LUT works for the whole of Lofoten and strengthens the affairs of the local youth councils.
LUT's tasks will include cooperating and informing the Lofoten Council and various bodies/organizations, encouraging community involvement, creating meeting places for young people, and establishing arrangements for events and activities for children and young people. LUT will also act as a consultation body/advisory body for the municipalities in matters concerning children and young people.
An important part of the agreement is that the Lofoten Council will appoint a youth coordinator to act as LUT's liaison. The coordinator will help the LUT to establish the necessary contacts, ensure continuity and be responsible for training in democracy and decision-making processes.
The LUT plans to hold five meetings a year, with two of these being physical meetings. These will coincide with the Lofoten Council's Council of Representatives meetings. We particularly look forward to the annual December meeting, where LUT introduces new members and constitutes itself.
Through the cooperation with LUT, the Lofoten Council will reinforce its commitment to comply with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, especially articles 12 and 13, which emphasize the child's right to express his or her opinion and the right to freedom of expression.
We at Lofoten Council look forward to working with LUT and are confident that this partnership will strengthen our region by ensuring that the voices of the younger members of our community are heard and valued.
This is a step towards a more inclusive, engaged and dynamic Lofoten, where every voice counts and every contribution matters.