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Helena-Reet Ennet

Helena-Reet Ennet
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Research project to examine gender impacts of collective agreements

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The ‘Gender impacts of collective agreements from the perspective of equal pay’ project, which is funded by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, examines collective agreements from the perspective of gender equality. The research focuses particularly on the impact that collective agreements have on the achievement of equal pay.The project, which was launched in January 2022, explores what practices social partners apply to gender impact assessment and how these practices are reflected in collective agreements. Gender impact assessment means assessing practices from the perspective of how they affect genders and the realisation of gender equality. The project identifies areas, particularly those related to equal pay, where improvements could be made in assessing the gender impact of collective agreements and develops recommendations.The project is linked to the objective of the Government Programme to promote equal pay more ambitiously and effectively than before. The results of the project will be used in improving protection against pay discrimination and in developing and implementing gender equality legislation. At the same time, the role of gender impact assessment in collective agreements will be enhanced as a means of promoting equal pay. Collective agreements under examinationThe project on the gender impacts of collective agreements assesses whether collective agreements have such structures or provisions that treat genders differently from one another or lead to differences in pay for women and men. The research will take place in two stages. First, a survey will be conducted among labour marker organisations to examine the role of gender impact assessment in collective agreements and bargaining.Based on the survey, some agreements will then be selected for a more detailed analysis. For each of these agreements, the project will assess wage formation and pay systems and examine how provisions are applied at workplaces. The research will also include interviews with labour market actors and an analysis of existing pay statistics.The project focuses on gender impact assessment from the perspective of working life research and law. A research consortium led by Professor Emeritus Niklas Bruun (Hanken School of Economics) and Professor Emeritus Kevät Nousiainen (University of Turku) is responsible for carrying out the project. Doctoral Researcher Miikaeli Kylä-Laaso (University of Tampere) works as a researcher in the project. The project will be carried out in 2022–2023.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Digital identity cards will improve management of personal data

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — In future, everyone who wants one will be able to get a digital identity card for their smartphone alongside their traditional passport or identity card. This will make it possible to use various services both in person and online and will improve the protection of privacy. The Ministry of Finance launched a round of public consultation concerning the legislative amendments relating to the digital identity card on 21 February.The Ministry invites comments from a wide array of stakeholders. The consultation round will be open in the Lausuntopalvelu.fi consultation service until 8 April. Comments are requested, for example, on the impacts of the legislative amendments on citizens, authorities and businesses. “Services are increasingly being used electronically in our society, which is why we are also making identity cards digital. This is just one sign of Finland’s goal to be a pioneer of digitalisation. Digital identity cards will make the day-to-day life of citizens easier in many ways and will help build a virtual Finland”, says Minister of local Government Sirpa Paatero.Digital identity cards are useful for citizens and businessesDigital identity cards will improve data security, flexibility and equality when proving one’s identity. A digital identity card will be available to every Finn and will not depend, for example, on service providers or customer relationships that are subject to fees. In future, people will be better able to decide what data to share when using services. For example, when proving one’s age at a shop, it would be possible to display only one’s age instead of the entire personal identity code. The issuer of a digital identity card would not be able to monitor how it is used.Digital identity cards will also be useful for businesses. For example, opening a new customer relationship currently requires the customer to be present and to show their identity card – in future, this could be done completely digitally. Digital identity cards will also make service situations easier for businesses. A digital identity card will make identifying a customer faster and reduce the chance of errors, for example, when entering information on the customer into a data system. Being issued a digital identity card will require a passport or an identity cardThe police will issue a digital identity card to persons with a Finnish passport or identity card. Digital identity cards will work as a mobile smartphone application. There will be no age limit for being issued a digital identity card, and children under 15 years of age will be able to get one with the consent of their parent or guardian. Digital identity cards will be voluntary, and conventional identity cards will continue to work as normal. People who do not want to use the mobile application required for a digital identity card will be able to use an identification token designed for public services. The token will make it possible to identify oneself in electronic services provided by the authorities. Identity tokens will be issued by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.It will also be possible to issue digital service tokens to foreign nationals, which will make it easier for them to prove their identity when using electronic services. This would require an official travel document issued by a foreign authority. Digital service tokens will be issued by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. Digital identity cards can later be expanded into EU digital walletsDigital identity cards can later be incorporated into the European digital wallet application required by the EU’s recent legislative proposal. According to the proposal, each EU Member State should adopt a wallet application usable in the entire EU in 2024. In addition to identity cards, these wallets could include other information, such as driving licences.“The preparations currently under way put Finland in an excellent position to have a say in what the European solution will be like. The work being done on digital identity cards will not be wasted and is not in conflict with EU preparations”, Minister Paatero says. The preparation of digital identity cards is part of the Government Programme, which seeks to strengthen Finland’s position as a leader in digitalisation and technology and develop functioning identification solutions.  A total of EUR 20 million has been reserved in the Budget for the implementation of digital identity cards. The first digital identity cards are to be introduced in 2023. The government bill will be finalised based on feedback from the consultation round, and the Government intends to submit the bill to Parliament in autumn 2022. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Foreign Minister Haavisto to meet UK Foreign Secretary

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will visit London on 22 February and have a meeting with UK Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss.The Ministers will discuss the security situation in Europe and the bilateral relations between Finland and the United Kingdom.“In the current volatile situation, it is important to coordinate positions and picture of developments with partner countries. The United Kingdom is a close partner for Finland. It is important that EU-UK cooperation on foreign and security policy continue as close as possible. The tense security situation in Europe accentuates the importance of cooperation,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Haavisto.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Climate Policy Roundtable meets to discuss assessment of measures in Medium-term Climate Change Policy Plan

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Climate Policy Roundtable will hold its 13th meeting on Tuesday 22 February. The meeting will focus on the assessment of the measures to be included in the Medium-term Climate Change Policy Plan (KAISU). The Roundtable is chaired by Prime Minister Sanna Marin.The Medium-term Climate Change Policy Plan describes the measures to be taken in the effort- sharing sector to achieve the EU target concerning emission reductions by 2030 and the target of a carbon-neutral Finland by 2035. The effort-sharing sector comprises emissions from transport, agriculture, building-specific heating, non-road mobile machinery and waste management, and F-gas emissions. The Climate and Energy Strategy, which mainly concerns the emissions trading sector, and the climate plan for the land use sector that comprises land use and forestry will be completed within the next few months.Discussion based on statements on the PlanIn accordance with the decision of the government budget session last autumn, the relevant research institutes (Finnish Climate Change Panel, Finnish Environment Institute, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Finnish Meteorological Institute and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland) have submitted their own assessments of the adequacy of the measures included in the draft version of the Medium-term Climate Change Policy Plan. In addition, the Climate Change Policy Plan was circulated for comments from December to January, and 210 statements were received.The discussion in the Climate Policy Roundtable will contribute to the work of the Ministerial Working Group on Climate and Energy Policy concerning the whole package of climate measures.The Climate Policy Roundtable brings together a broad spectrum of stakeholders from different sectors of society. The purpose of the Roundtable is to create a common understanding of how Finland can make a just transition to a carbon neutral society by 2035. With its work, the Roundtable supports the preparation and implementation of Finland’s national climate policy.To follow the work of the Roundtable in social media use #ilmastonpyöreäpöytä and #hiilineutraali2035.Research institutes: stronger climate actions needed in the effort sharing sectorClimate Policy Roundtable

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

European affairs ministers to prepare for March European Council and discuss strengthening EU crisis preparedness and resilience

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The EU General Affairs Council will meet in Brussels on 22 February. The topics of the meeting will include preparing for the European Council in March, discussing strengthening of the EU’s preparedness, response capacity and resilience to future crises, the rule of law in Poland, and progress of the Conference on the Future of Europe. Minister for European Affairs Tytti Tuppurainen will represent Finland at the meeting.The ministers will start preparing the European Council on 24 and 25 March 2022 and exchange views on the draft annotated agenda. The topics on the European Council agenda will include EU coordination of COVID-19 measures, security and defence, European Semester and topical external affairs questions. In March, the members of the European Council will also discuss the single market and industrial policy.The ministers will hold a policy debate on strengthening the EU’s preparedness, response capacity and resilience to future crises. They will be discussing the implementation of the conclusions on resilience adopted by the European Council in November 2021 and December 2021. The aim is for the EU to be better prepared for future crises. Finland emphasises a comprehensive approach, preparedness for different kinds of crises and securing the functioning of the single market even under crisis conditions.The meeting will include a hearing on the rule of law in Poland. No substantive decisions will be made, as the Council will not be formulating a position at this time. Finland continues its efforts to actively promote democracy, rule of law, and fundamental and human rights.“The EU is founded on respect for the rule of law. Poland’s rule of law situation gives cause for concern. It is important that we continue with the hearings until we are able to resolve all the concerns we have over the rule of law,” Minister Tuppurainen says.The French Presidency will inform the ministers on the progress of the Conference on the Future of Europe. The ministers will exchange views on the matter. As part of the Conference, the Finnish Government organised a ‘We are Europe’ series of events last autumn and early this year. A summary of the events was published on 9 February 2022. At the events, ministers spoke with people to hear their opinions on what kind of EU they would want to be building. It is important that the views of Finnish people be heard in the Conference and in its outcomes. The Conference outcomes must be representative and they must broadly reflect the views of different kinds of EU citizens.In the General Affairs Council (GAC), the EU Member States are primarily represented by their ministers for European affairs. The tasks of the Council include preparations for the European Council meetings. The GAC is also responsible for a number of cross-cutting policy areas, including negotiations on the multiannual financial framework and EU enlargement. Questions related to the rule of law are also an established part of the Council’s agenda. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Discretionary government grants for CSOs’ Europe information awarded for 2022

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has granted EUR 445,000 in discretionary government grants to civil society organisations (CSOs) for their Europe information purposes. In this application round, grants were awarded to 19 CSOs and 22 projects.The purpose of discretionary government grants for CSOs’ Europe information is to raise awareness and knowledge of the European Union in Finland. CSOs play an important role in enhancing general knowledge and understanding of the EU and in promoting related discussion in the country. The grants strengthen CSOs’ capacity to disseminate information about Europe and improve people’s basic knowledge of matters related to the European Union and Finland’s EU membership.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Information exchange in the electricity retail market enters a new era – Datahub goes live successfully

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Datahub, the centralised information exchange system for the electricity retail market, went live on 21 February 2022. Datahub centralises the data from about 3.8 million electricity accounting points in a single system, and it significantly accelerates the exchange of information in the electricity retail market. Datahub is a key part of the flexible power system of the future.The electricity retail market reached a significant milestone when Datahub, the centralised information exchange system, went live successfully. System suppliers and companies operating in the electricity retail market have worked closely together over the past few years to build the Datahub. Approximately 80 electricity retailers and 80 distribution system operators will begin using Datahub.  The centralised system enables the fair, real-time, and secure exchange of information between companies and accelerates customer service at electricity companies. The transition to Datahub will also reduce the number of errors arising during market processes and facilitate the consolidation of multiple accounting points under a single electricity contract.The go-live of the system is a major step for the electricity retail market in the journey towards the flexible electricity system of the future. Datahub is being further developed to meet the evolving needs of the energy market, and it will enable the creation of energy communities and the introduction of a 15-minute imbalance settlement period in 2023. Centralised information exchange helps to make full use of smart grids and smart meters and generates possibilities for new business opportunities and services in areas such as energy efficiency monitoring, electric vehicle charging businesses, and offering demand-side management in the market. Datahub also helps to handle distributed electricity generation and increases competition in the retail market. In accordance with the Electricity Market Act, the system will store information related to electricity accounting points, including customer and consumption data, which has previously been decentralised and stored in various companies’ systems. The data stored in the system can only be accessed by the authorised parties.”Datahub go-live represents a step towards a low-carbon electricity system of the future. It enables electricity consumers to participate actively in the market and will increase the share of renewable small-scale generation in the electricity system. What’s more, digitalisation also enhances cross-border co-operation, enables smart network tariffs, improves the exchange of information and deepens the integration of the system,“ describes Riku Huttunen, Director General from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.“The Datahub project began in 2015, and the determined work of the project parties has culminated in today’s go-live. We have succeeded in our joint efforts with entities from the industry, and the go-live went according to plan. I would like to thank everyone involved in making this important change. Without good, seamless collaboration, this would never have been possible,” says Pasi Aho, CEO of Fingrid Datahub Oy.“In an era of climate change and energy transformation, the smooth functioning of the electricity market and the utilization of data is more critical than ever before. Datahub is right in the core of this as the digital heart of the electricity market. In building it, we utilized our international experience and expertise in the market platforms we have built for the energy industries in various countries,” says Leena-Mari Lähteenmaa, President and, Managing Director of CGI Finland.The go-live of the centralised information exchange system is based on the Electricity Market Act. An amendment to the Electricity Market Act that took effect in February 2019 obligated electricity retailers and distribution system operators to use Datahub services for purposes like exchanging information in the electricity retail market and managing information on business processes in electricity transactions. The legislative amendments preceding the go-live of Datahub took effect in October 2021. The system will be maintained by Fingrid Datahub Oy, a subsidiary of Finland’s main grid operator, Fingrid Oyj. The system supplier is CGI Finland.For more information contact:
Pasi Aho, CEO, Fingrid Datahub Oy, Mobile +358 400 778 417
Arto Rajala, Senior Ministerial Adviser from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 50 434 4928

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Dalai Lama’s 18 simple lessons how to be HAPPY in life

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet – In the beginning of the new millennium, the Dalai Lama* shared 18 rules for life. Here are simple truths of life worth following in order to be a better person. In any case, these are very good and timeless guidelines that we can remind us of every now and then.

Remember that everything in our life happens for a reason and everything holds a purpose.

1. Keep in mind that great love and great achievements go hand in hand with great risk.
2. If you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
3. Follow three important rules: respect yourself, respect others, take responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that sometimes not getting what you want can be a blessing.
5. Learn the rules, then you will know how to bend them.
6. Don’t let minor disagreements damage true friendship.
7. When you realize you have been mistaken, take immediate steps to fix it.
8. Every day, find some alone time.
9. Be open to change but remain true to your principles.
10. Remember that sometimes silence is the best answer.
11. Lead a good, honourable life, then as a senior, looking back, you can enjoy it once more.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation of your life.
13. In case of disagreements with the people close to you, deal only with the current problem. Don’t bring up past events.
14. Share your knowledge. This is an opportunity to become immortal.
15. Be kind to Mother Earth.
16. Once every year, go somewhere you have never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is the one where your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Evaluate your success based on what you had to sacrifice to get there.

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* In Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama is considered the reincarnated embodiment of the God of Compassion (bodhisattva) Avalokitešvara (Chenrezig in Tibetan language). It is believed that when the Dalai Lama dies, he is reborn within 45 days. The approximate location is calculated and they go looking for him. At the age of three the possible Dalai Lamas will undergo several tests, in which mostly the belongings of previous Dalai Lamas must be recognized (must be distinguished from among similar belongings). Similar tests are performed in the selection process of all higher lamas. At a few years of age the Dalai Lama will begin to receive schooling, at some point, based on results, it will be determined who from among the possible options will remain.

Featured picture: Pexels

Joint Statement of the Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees of European parliaments in support of Ukraine

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The Chairpersons of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the European Parliament and the Parliaments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and the United Kingdom made a Joint Statement on the unjustified Russian military build-up in and around Ukraine and in Belarus.

Statement:

We, the Chairs of our respective parliament’s Committees,

Following the ongoing Russian military build-up closely at the Russian-Ukrainian border, in the illegally annexed Crimea, as well as the joint military exercise of Russia and Belarus,

Call on Russia to de-escalate the situation, withdraw its troops from Ukraine’s border and the territory of Belarus;

Recall that any further military aggression against Ukraine will have massive consequences and severe costs in response, including restrictive measures coordinated with partners;

Urge Russia not to recognize the non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine as independent entities as it would be a blatant violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty;

Call on Belarus to ensure full transparency of the joint military exercise of Russia and Belarus, “Union Resolve 2022”, concerning the strength and composition of military forces, primary weapon and military equipment systems and the timeline of return of forces to home basis;

Urge Russia and Belarus to ensure compliance of their political and military commitments with the principles of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Text of the Statement and names of the signatories

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Meeting of the President and members of the Riigikogu with their US colleague focused on security crisis

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

At the meeting of President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas and members of the Riigikogu with Adam Smith, Chair of the United States House Committee on Armed Services, the security crisis around Russia and Ukraine and the strengthening of bilateral transatlantic relations were discussed.

Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson, and Chair Enn Eesmaa and Deputy Chair Leo Kunnas of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu also participated in the meeting.

Ratas underlined that the relations between Estonia and the US had been closer than ever in recent months, and unfortunately, the ongoing security crisis is at the heart of these relations. “We highly appreciate the security and defence cooperation between Estonia and the United States, and we attach great importance to the USA’s active participation in and continuing contribution to the military defence of our region,” Ratas said. “We are very grateful for the security assistance and the presence of the US troops in the Baltic States. It is very important for us.” Ratas added that the US had taken the initiative among the Western states in leading the like-minded countries in a united and determined stand against Russia’s aggressive and belligerent behaviour.

Participants in the meeting noted that Russia’s military escalation in Ukraine continued and that Russia’s military footprint was consolidating in Belarus. Mihkelson considered it possible that the ongoing chapter in Ukraine was just a part of Russia’s attempt to reshape the European security architecture. “Russia’s permanent military presence in Belarus would be a threat to the Baltic States as the military misbalance in our region deteriorates then even further,” Mihkelson said. “This means that we need to enhance the deterrence and defence posture on the NATO eastern flank. The Narva River is the eastern border of both the European Union and NATO.”

Mihkelson said that the US military presence and its significant reinforcement in Europe were essential for deterring Russia. “We welcome the introduction of additional measures by the US and increased presence in the Baltic region,” he said.

Mihkelson underlined that the politicians and diplomats of the Western countries were doing their best to prevent the worst-case scenario. This has been confirmed on the visits of the members of the Riigikogu and in their active communication with the politicians of other countries. “At the same time, we have to keep supporting Ukraine politically, financially and militarily,” Mihkelson said. “Ukraine is under enormous pressure. Joint efforts are needed to support Ukraine to stand against the pressure of the aggressor.”

Considering the changed security situation, the members of the Riigikogu asked the US Congress to maintain the security assistance funding to the Baltic States on the same level as last year, or even increase it. “This helps us to develop our defence capabilities sooner,” Eesmaa explained. “Estonia in its turn will do its share and increase its defence expenditure to 2.6 percent of GDP by 2024.” In Eesmaa’s opinion, it is important to note that in national defence issues, the parties of the government coalition and the opposition in the Riigikogu are of the same mind.

Eesmaa agreed with other speakers that NATO’s presence in the region was vital, and added that recently also Finland and Sweden had shown interest in having closer cooperation with NATO.

Besides security policy issues, bilateral cyber defence cooperation and possible further cooperation in the construction of a LNG terminal.

Photos of the meeting (Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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