Youth Council – Elections 2026

Jayant Paudel

My main priorities are:

• Fair pay and equal treatment for young workers
• Safe, respectful, and secure working environments
• More support and opportunities for young international students to learn Icelandic and integrate into society and the workplace.

I would like to run because I want to help ensure that young people’s voices are heard and taken seriously. As an international student living and working in Iceland, I understand both the opportunities and the difficulties that many young members face. 

I care about fairness, inclusion, and creating better support systems for those who are studying, working, and trying to build a stable future. Through the Youth Council, I would like to contribute to practical changes that improve working conditions, communication, and opportunities for young people from different backgrounds.

Jonathan Swerdlow

My reason for running is that in my time working here in Iceland, I've been surrounded by young people not realizing that their employers are treating them poorly. After being in a toxic workplace for over a year, I finally took the steps to learn my rights as a VR member and made changes that led to correcting improperly-paid wages for nearly one hundred employees.

I want people to know the power they hold in their workplaces and how to use the resources at their disposal as members of VR. I also want people to know that age and experience should never be a concern when speaking up and seeking fair treatment. Furthermore, I want to help young people learn how to communicate regarding such workplace matters.

Lijing Zhou

My main priority is to advocate for equal opportunities, fair treatment, and stronger long-term support for young professionals. Many young people work hard but still face uncertainty around workplace recognition, career development, mentorship, and long-term stability. I believe workplaces should offer not only fair conditions but also real opportunities for growth, and young professionals should feel that their voices are heard and reflected in workplace policies.
 
I also believe that many of the pressures faced by young professionals extend beyond the workplace itself. Challenges such as housing affordability, access to healthcare, transportation, and overall quality of life directly affect people's ability to build stable careers in Iceland. I would like to help ensure that these realities are understood and addressed within union discussions.

In addition to this broader advocacy, I am passionate about improving the inclusion and representation of international professionals in Iceland. As an international professional myself, I understand firsthand both the opportunities and challenges many foreign workers face. I believe their voices should also be represented in workplace policies and union discussions, and that a more inclusive and diverse working environment benefits everyone.

My professional experience and doctoral research are the reasons why I believe I am able to contribute to the VR Youth Council. As Head of Sustainability at Íslandshótel hf. and Chair of the company's Equality Committee, I work closely with workplace equality, inclusion, and employee wellbeing. With 76% of our employees being international staff representing 56 nationalities, I have gained valuable insight into the realities and challenges faced by international professionals in Iceland. My doctoral research focuses on employee engagement and corporate sustainability, particularly how organizations can create environments where people feel included, supported, and able to grow over the long term. Combined with my previous work at the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), where I worked on projects focused on inclusion and engagement of marginalized groups, these experiences have strengthened my commitment to fair representation, equal opportunities, and building more inclusive environments.

I hope to bring both practical experience and an international perspective to help support young VR members and ensure their voices are represented. I care deeply about constructive dialogue, fair representation, and helping create a more inclusive working environment where young people feel supported, valued, and confident that their concerns truly matter.

María Jesús Adjaba Nve

I currently work in customer service and reception at FlyOver Iceland, where I have gained valuable experience dealing directly with people every day in a fast-paced environment. This role has given me a strong understanding of the challenges young workers face, including workload, communication with employers, and the importance of feeling respected and valued at work.

In addition, I have several years of experience in Labour Relations and Human Resources, which has provided me with deeper insight into workplace dynamics, employee rights, and organizational processes. This background allows me to approach issues not only from the employee perspective, but also with an understanding of how decisions are made within companies.

As a young member of VR, I want to be a voice for those who may not always feel heard.

My main priorities are:

• Improving working conditions and ensuring fair and respectful treatment for young employees.
• Raising awareness about workers’ rights so that young people feel more confident and informed.
• Supporting opportunities for growth, stability, and a better work-life balance.

I am a responsible, approachable, and motivated person who is not afraid to speak up and represent others. I strongly believe that young workers deserve a stronger voice, and I am committed to contributing positively and constructively to the Youth Council.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Óbi Snær Barböruson

I currently work in airport passenger service, where I handle high-pressure situations, assist passengers, and work closely with teams to keep operations running smoothly. At the same time, I am training to become a pilot, which has strengthened my discipline, responsibility, and long-term focus. 

I am running for the Youth Council because I want to represent young workers who are ambitious, hardworking, and building their future step by step. I understand the challenges of balancing work, financial pressure, and career development, and I want to make sure that young people’s voices are clearly heard within VR.

My main priorities would be:

• Improving support and opportunities for young workers starting their careers
• Increasing awareness of rights, benefits, and financial support within VR
• Ensuring that young members feel represented and involved in decisions that affect them

I bring a strong work ethic, real-world experience, and a clear goal-oriented mindset. I am not afraid to take responsibility, speak up, and contribute actively.

I would be proud to represent young VR members and help strengthen the voice of our generation.

Sarah Mohammedi

Over the past two years, I’ve been part of the VR Youth Council, taking part in conversations about what working life actually looks like for young people today. When we started this term, we didn’t want to assume what mattered most — we wanted to listen. We asked young members of VR directly about their experiences, their challenges, and what they feel needs to change.

One of the most highlighted topics was mental health at work — a concern that matters deeply to many young people and one I have also seen reflected first hand through my own experience and conversations with others. Across Europe, nearly one in three workers reports experiencing work related stress, anxiety, or depression, with younger workers disproportionately affected.

For me, this conversation goes beyond workload or individual coping strategies. Mental health is closely connected to job security, financial stability, career development, and the culture we operate in at work. When these foundations are weak, wellbeing suffers — and when wellbeing suffers, so does safety, sustainability, and long term growth. A healthy labour market depends on working environments where people feel secure, supported, and able to grow, not just pushed to keep up.

I’m running for the Youth Council again because I believe this work shouldn’t stop halfway. We’ve started important conversations, but there’s still a real opportunity to build on them and create better conditions for young people entering, navigating, and eventually leading working life in Iceland. I want to help carry that work forward — with continuity, openness, and a focus on real impact.