A city that allows everyone to flourish
The quality of communities depends on whether people are allowed to develop and flourish on their own terms, no matter what they are, look like or behave. A good city allows children to find their strength, young people to find their path and takes care of adults with good services and lower taxes, especially when something goes wrong in life. Sports, leisure, culture and welfare are closely related issues that create a single whole.
Life seen from different perspectives
I have lived in Reykjavík all my life. I grew up in Breiðholt, lived in the city center and Hlíður, and my family now lives in Vesturbær. I played soccer with Fram until I was nineteen. Sports taught me discipline, teamwork, and responsibility. They gave me community and purpose. I was an actor for thirteen years and later a director of major plays. I have seen how theater can open up individuals, build confidence, and give people a voice.
In my work at RÚV I have worked on music, theatre and large cultural events. I have seen the power of all creative work, both for artists and for the audience. I went to alcohol treatment and got sober in 2012 with the help of SÁÁ and good people who believed in me. I have six children from 8 - 27 years old and have experienced what it is like to be a parent in Reykjavík.
This experience has taught me that we all need to have a purpose, we need to have a community, and we need to have opportunities to grow and develop.
Prevention does not begin with emergency measures
We often talk about addiction and mental health problems when the problem has become serious. Then we need treatment, supportive housing, financial assistance and child protection. Sometimes we also talk about prevention, but often as some specific action. But prevention is diverse and we often do not think of it in the context of protecting children and young people from trauma.
They start on the football pitch, in the music school, in the theatre, in the leisure centre and in the swimming pool. They start when a child feels that they are good at something. When a teenager feels that they belong somewhere. When these important people get the motivation that comes with creating, doing something in a group. Sports and leisure activities, culture and exercise are not extras, they are the foundations of mental and physical health.
The school plays a key role
We have high expectations for success in mathematics and Icelandic. That is important, but it should not be the only yardstick. The school should foster creativity, the arts, physical activity and social skills. It should help children discover their strengths wherever they appear.
We should ensure that all children and young people have easy access to theater, concerts, literature, art galleries, sports facilities, and leisure activities.
Support reduces the problem
I know from personal experience how easy it is to get lost. I also know what happens when you get the chance to rebuild.

Sports, culture and creative work can be part of recovery. They can be a bridge out of isolation, anxiety and distress. We should think of well-being as more than emergency measures, we should think of it as access to exercise, the arts and access to professional help when needed. It all depends on each other.
A city that sees the whole
I want a Reykjavík that connects sports, culture and welfare issues and puts children and young people first. At the same time, priorities should be set correctly and the city's resources should be handled responsibly. That is actually the prerequisite for the city to be able to fulfill its true role. Culture, exercise and spiritual well-being are not separate issues, but three sides of the same coin.
A city that invests in people flourishing saves on emergency measures later. A city that fosters creativity and movement strengthens society as a whole. Reykjavík should be a city where people can get where they want to go and where we support each other along the way.
