Fifteen minutes a day — the idea Norway’s mayors are backing
A member of parliament wants every school day to begin with the news. Three mayors told our reporters they’re in. Behind it lies a bigger question: how much do grown-ups really see of a child’s day online?
Politicians listen all the time, says MP Haagen Poppe — but rarely to children. His proposal is simple: around fifteen minutes every day when a class looks at the news, talks about it, and is actually listened to. Not only to read the headlines, but to learn what editorial media even are — where sources get checked and different perspectives get weighed — alongside the social media that already fills their mornings.
Watch · MP Haagen Poppe at Arendalsuka
Go to your mayor. Your local mayor is the one that has the key to change really efficiently. Haagen Poppe · Member of Parliament
Poppe argues the change has to be systemic — put “from the top into every school” — and warns that youth councils, on their own, often reach children too late. It is a small idea with a large claim behind it: a country stays a democracy only if its youngest citizens grow up with the facts, and with the sense that someone is listening.
Mayors at Arendalsuka
Who helps children make a difference?
Again and again it is people at the local level who can step forward when children need them. A mayor can turn “every child should be heard” into something practical — a budget line, a seminar, a door that actually opens.
So our reporters are travelling Norway to meet mayors and ask what they know about their own youth council, what it really does, and how they support it — and whether they’d like to become the best mayor in the world for children.
[childpress_mayors_map]The interactive mayors map
See every mayor we met at Arendalsuka 2026 and where they come from — explore by municipality across Norway.
“Welcome to my office”
How young people can change politics — and why he’d pilot the 15-minute idea in Lillestrøm.
“It’s an important perspective the young people are bringing.”
“A child’s safety is what society must stand up for”
On the most important thing we owe children. English translation on the full page.
“If children feel unsafe, the wider society must protect them.”
Not a ban — a conversation
Why he’s bringing teachers, kindergartens and police together at the start of term.
“Social media isn’t something you can simply forbid.”
The council that bought books
A children’s council asked for more books over screens — so the town changed its budget.
“Speak up. And to all the adults out there: listen.”
Mapping children’s digital lives
A project to help parents and teachers understand what children meet online.
“I try every day to be the best mayor I can be.”
“Be brave. Start small.”
Why Sarpsborg runs new ideas past its youth council first, as real partners.
“Start small — and you’ll have people applauding you.”
The host city’s mayor
Arendal’s mayor, in conversation with ChildPress at the festival she hosts.
What Julia asked the mayors
The other side of the interview: a child putting her question straight to the people in charge.
Reports from the Arendalsuka Special
Our reporters cover the festival’s themes — democracy & education, and safety.
Never give up on making your voice heard
Chief editor Chace meets Lars Barstad Løvold, leader of the Youth Progress Party, on taking up space in politics — and the youth case against the EU.
Young people need a real place in politics
Chace meets Sara Uda Hasle, leader of the Socialist Youth Party, on giving young people a genuine seat at the table.
Giving students a voice in Grimstad
Chace meets Mia, a student from Grimstad, on how a school newspaper could let students share what’s really happening — and be heard.
Making schools safer for children
Erle and Fride speak with a representative from Skoleberedskap about school safety, bullying, and what young reporters can ask directly.
Malala is coming to Arendalsuka
One young voice can create change far beyond her own community.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai visits Arendalsuka · Photo: ChildPress
Malala Yousafzai has inspired millions by standing up for every child’s right to education and to be heard. For ChildPress she is an extraordinary example of how one young voice can reach far beyond its own community.
We hope our young reporters get the chance to interview her in Arendal and ask: what can children do when they want to change something that really matters to them?
In the film below, we also share our conversation with the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, where we talked about young people, dialogue, peace and the importance of giving children a voice.
We look forward to welcoming one of the world’s most inspiring voices for children to Arendalsuka.
See the event at Arendalsuka ›Explore who’s who at Arendalsuka
[childpress_whoswho_map]A preview of the interactive map · explore the full version online
Who is shaping the conversation at Norway’s biggest democracy festival? Our map lets you explore the ministers, mayors, educators, experts and young reporters gathered at Arendalsuka 2026 — and the sessions that bring them together. Switch to the Street Map to see where participants come from, or the Town View to sort by colour-coded neighbourhood.
These events are a selection chosen by ChildPress, and we plan to cover a number of them ourselves. Children who would like to take part can join us as a ChildPress reporter.