Building Strong Communities for Youth: The Icelandic Model

Pathways 2 Prevention

In this episode, we interview Dr. Michael Mann, an associate professor, Interim Divisional Dean for the School of Public and Population Health, Associate Divisional Dean for Academic, Student, and Faculty Affairs at Boise State University, about the Icelandic model and its impact on youth development. The Icelandic model is a community-based approach to youth development that has seen remarkable success in Iceland and has been adapted by other countries around the world.

Dr. Mann explains how the Icelandic model works, the factors that contribute to its success, and the challenges of implementing it in different cultural contexts. He stresses the importance of community involvement and collaboration, sustained attention, and strong institutions for achieving positive outcomes for young people.

We also discuss the role of data in the Icelandic model, the importance of communicating data in a way that is accessible to the community, and the need to build a culture of collective action around youth development. Dr. Mann emphasizes the importance of recognizing that some things are so important that we have to work together to make them happen, and that sustaining our collective attention over time is essential for achieving lasting change.

Listeners can learn more about the Icelandic model and Planet Youth, the organization that helps to implement it in other countries, in the show notes. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in community-based approaches to youth development and creating strong, supportive communities for young people.

Episode Links:

• https://planetyouth.org/
• https://www.boisestate.edu/spph

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