Safe Space in the schoolyard at Atuarfik Kilaaseeraq, Maniitsoq

Safe Space in Maniitsoq opened 04 November. In wind and snow, the large play tower was completed in the schoolyard lined with the young people's photographs. Photographs that were also included in the young people's Memory Books, which just a few weeks ago were projected on the facade of Ilisimatusarfik.

Self-confidence and social care can be conveyed through photographs that help to create a common safe space in the schoolyard at Atuarfik Kilaaseeraq. By creating a common, safe learning space with time to listen and create together, the young people participated in several previous workshops focusing on:

• The right not to be afraid
• The right to security and protection
• The right to take care of each other
• The right to remember and to tell the story of oneself
• The right to self-determination and co-determination
• The right to creativity and life expression

Safe Space is based on Atuarfik Kilaaseeraq and Qeqqata municipality's sustained efforts to ensure the safe life of all young people in a good community. This takes place in good collaboration with Ilisimatusarfik around research and learning.

In the years from 2017 to now, the research project Art and Social Communities initiated by professor of psychology Peter Berliner, supported by the Danish Arts Foundation and the Norwegian Cultural Council and project Siunissaq in collaboration with young people in Maniitsoq, management and teachers at Atuarfik Kilaaseeraq, artists, psychologists, sexologists and students at Ilisimatusarfik completed workshops.

Safe Space now stands as a landmark in the schoolyard based on children's rights. For the next many years, the photographs will be for the benefit of all children in the schoolyard and at the same time reach out to the whole town.

Safe Space is funded by: Qeqqata municipality, Atuarfik Kilaaseeraq, Ilisimatusarfik, Grønlandsfonden, Verena Merz & Otto Kjærgaard's Children's Fund, Susi and Peter Robinsohn's Fund and Siunissaq.

For more information, please contact:

• Atuarfik Kilaaseeqqami pisortaq Elna Heilmann: [email protected] or 81 31 22.
• Professor of psychology Peter Berliner, Ilisimatusarfik: [email protected] or 28 56 34.