NordenBladet — The working group set up by the Ministry of Education and Culture proposes policies and measures to enable Finland’s arts and culture policy to take better account of cultural diversity based on immigration and to make arts and cultural life a more equitable and equal in the future. The working group was commissioned to focus especially on using arts and culture to strengthen the inclusion and participation of those with a foreign background in arts and cultural life, and to promote intercultural dialogue by means of arts and culture. The working group submitted its final report to State Secretary Tuomo Puumala on Wednesday 20 January.

The increasing diversity of the Finnish population needs to be mainstreamed into the planning and decision-making procedures in arts and cultural policy. Key cross-cutting principles in promoting cultural diversity include the realisation of equity and equality, increasing intercultural interaction and enabling broad-based inclusion and participation. The working group’s proposals for measures relate to aspects such as public funding for arts and culture, skills development, employment and career prospects, and the content of arts and culture. Most of the proposals were discussed in workshops and web brainstorming organised by the working group, and in various networks.

The working group’s final report underscores that, to achieve both the cross-cutting and sectoral and thematic cultural policy objectives, all actors will need to develop their competence. By increasing competence, it is possible to identify the opportunities offered by cultural diversity and related cultural development needs in all activities. “I would like to thank the working group for its meaningful and far-reaching work. The actors in arts and cultural life play an important role in promoting cultural diversity and strengthening equity. We can all increase our own competence in matters related to cultural diversity,” said State Secretary Tuomo Puumala.

Cultural actors need to make a conscious effort to diversify their programmes and foster contents arising from different cultural heritages and aesthetic concepts. Art and cultural services need to be more easily accessible by lowering the threshold for participation in the planning, communication and implementation of activities. It is also a joint task to create conditions for those with a foreign background to improve the knowledge and skills they need for working in Finland and advancing their careers. This can be done, for example, by providing more opportunities to learn Finnish and Swedish, by supporting the creation of professional networks and by providing information on Finnish cultural life and cultural policy. The working group proposes that more attention should be paid to the opportunities offered by arts and cultural life in the integration services offered to immigrants. Arts and cultural life can be used to provide information about Finland and Finns, to increase people-to-people encounters and to promote intercultural dialogue. This will increase understanding of the new country of residence, reduce the emergence of racism and build a more equitable and equal Finland. Pasi Saukkonen, chair of the working group, deems it important to have reliable information available on cultural diversity and on ways to implement and promote it. “We need to boost our knowledge base systematically on a broad base. The diversity barometer for arts and culture proposed by the working group is one good tool for monitoring and evaluating how well the objectives are met.”

The working group proposes that a programme be drawn up at the Ministry of Education and Culture to take account of the working group’s policies and proposals for action, which, through concrete measures, promote cultural diversity from the point of view of immigration in cultural policy and in Finnish arts and cultural life. We will use indicators, studies and analysis to monitor the implementation of the programme as part of the guidance and management processes.

The working group consisted of experts whose host organisations included Ateneum Art Gallery, the Finnish National Gallery, Globe Art Point ry, Luckan Integration, Cultura Foundation, Tuglas Society, the Association of Finnish Theatres, Art and Culture Professionals’ Trade Union TAKU, Helsinki City Executive Office, Espoo Library Services and the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, as well as independent artists and cultural professionals as well as experts from the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Justice.

Art, culture and a diverse Finland. Final report of the Working Group for Cultural Policy, Immigrants and Promotion of Cultural Diversity

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom has decided that the suspension of direct passenger flights from the UK, Ireland and South Africa to Finland be continued until 25 January 2021.

Due to the decision, many travellers find that returning to Finland is even more difficult than before or may be prevented altogether.Finnish missions abroad and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Helsinki are monitoring the situation closely. If required, they will assist travellers to find ways to return home.  Return to Finland from the UK, Ireland and South Africa is possible using connecting flights. Travellers looking for alternative routes should check the entry requirements and, transit requirements in particular, including the required COVID-19 test results, from the public authorities in the country of destination and their own airline. In practice, it is good to get tested before travelling to be able to present a certificate of a negative COVID-19 test result if required, because the restrictive measures may change rapidly. The Finnish Embassy in London is updating information on its website and social media channels. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation may deteriorate abruptly and unpredictably in any country or region. Sudden changes or cancellations of air connections may cause long delays. If it is essential for you to travel, be prepared for changes. Travellers are required to continue to be resilient and able to deal with uncertainty. The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has only limited capabilities to assist travellers in distress abroad during the pandemic. We recommend that you submit your travel plans and contact details at matkustusilmoitus.fi.

If you are returning to Finland from the UK, Ireland or South Africa, please note the guidelines of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare..For any possible expenses caused by cancellation or postponement of flights, contact your travel organiser, airline or insurance company.Traficom: Restrictions on Passenger Flights to Finland from the UK, Ireland and South Africa to Continue until 25 January

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — The Ministry of the Environment invites views and opinions on how emissions can be reduced effectively and fairly through an online survey open to all. The survey is open from 19 January to 19 February. The responses will help to prepare a new medium-term climate change policy plan.

“Finland’s aim is to be carbon neutral by 2035. Achieving this goal requires action and change from every one of us. That’s why it’s important to hear what kind of emission reduction measures Finns consider to be effective and fair. It pays to complete the survey, this is a real opportunity to have an impact,” says Krista Mikkonen, Minister of the Environment and Climate.

The themes of the survey – transport, food and housing – affect the daily life of every Finn and also account for the majority of our carbon footprint. The survey presents various possible measures to reduce emissions and asks about their impact on the respondent’s activities and their acceptability. In addition, there are open-ended questions where respondents can express their own thoughts in more depth.

NordenBladet — Finland will grant EUR 5 million to the International Trade Centre (ITC) in 2021–2022 to support women’s and young people’s business activities in developing countries. The agreement was signed on 18 January 2021 in Geneva.

The agreement was signed by Executive Director of the International Trade Centre Pamela Coke-Hamilton and ambassador Kirsti Kauppi. Of the EUR 5 million granted by Finland, EUR 2 million will be in the form of core funding. EUR 3 million will be channelled to measures strengthening women’s and young people’s business activities and refugees’ opportunities to earn a livelihood, developing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and promoting circular economy.

Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari considers that Finland’s support to ITC is a considerable investment in both the development of business activities and the strengthening of women’s and girls’ rights in developing countries. ”Through Finland’s funding to ITC, developing countries will be able to reinforce the base of their economies during this challenging time. The funding will also create preconditions for reconstruction in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.  We need to stop managing poverty and start creating wealth. I encourage Finnish companies to engage in cooperation with ITC as a way to find new business opportunities,” the Minister says.

ITC is an organisation founded by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). It aims to strengthen the competitiveness of micro-, small-, and medium-sized companies based in developing countries. ITC is well known for its strong contribution to the development of women’s and young people’s business activities, for example through the SheTrades Initiative (www.shetrades.com).

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — The ministers for European Affairs held an informal video meeting on 18 January 2021. The main topics on the agenda were EU coordination in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and preparations for the video meeting of European Council members on 21 January. Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen represented Finland at the meeting.

The ministers held an exchange of views on how to improve the efficiency of EU coordination in dealing with COVID-19 and, in particular, how to increase the availability of COVID-19 vaccines and ramp up their distribution. Finland supports the EU’s strong joint efforts to tackle COVID-19, including vaccine coordination. Any bottlenecks in the delivery of vaccines from the manufacturer to the Member States must be dealt with. Clear communication to citizens about the vaccination process and the timetable play an equally key role. The members of the European Council will discuss COVID-19 coordination and the situation with regard to vaccines in their video meeting on 21 January.

Minister Tuppurainen also pointed out the need to achieve global vaccination coverage in order to truly overcome the pandemic. With this goal in mind, the international COVAX Facility should be utilised effectively. The COVAX Facility aims to guarantee fair and speedy access to COVID-19 vaccines for every country in the world and to accelerate the development, manufacturing and delivery of the vaccines.

“The availability and efficient distribution of vaccines play a key role in thwarting COVID-19. The EU’s procurement cooperation got off to a good start, but we need to step up our efforts. It is also important to remember that no country is safe until the pandemic is under control around the world. We therefore need to show solidarity with regard to vaccines. This is also in line with our common European values,” says Minister Tuppurainen.

“In order to be able to monitor the vaccination situation in the best possible way, we need to have uniform statistics on vaccine coverage. We also need to establish a joint vaccine certificate, because our ultimate goal is to open up societies and secure the freedom of movement that is so important to us all.

”The Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which began on 1 January 2021, presented its priorities at the meeting. These are: promoting a recovery boosted by the climate and digital transitions; implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights as a key element for ensuring a fair and inclusive climate and digital transition; and strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy whilst remaining open to the world.

The Portuguese Presidency also reported on the state of the preparations for the Conference on the Future of Europe. Preparations for the conference have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Council, the European Parliament and the Commission are to agree on the mandate of the Conference with a joint declaration.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 relating to the rule of law are also an established part of the Council’s agenda.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — Experts preparing for the 2021 UN summits will meet youth to discuss the protection of biodiversity and climate action. The event is organised by the British Embassy, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and WWF Finland.

Sustainable food production is one of main solutions to help resolve the challenges facing nature and climate. Picture: Jürgen Freund / WWFThe panel discussion on Wednesday 20 January is targeted at educational institutions.  The panellists for the event are Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto, Secretary General and CEO at WWF Finland Liisa Rohweder, UK COP26 Special Envoy John Murton, Senior Ministerial Adviser at the Ministry of the Environment Marina von Weissenberg, and member of UK Youth Climate Coalition‏ Nelli Vanninen. The discussion is inspired by A Life On Our Planet, a documentary film by renowned natural historian Sir David Attenborough. In the film, produced by Netflix, Attenborough, now aged 94, depicts the biodiversity loss that has taken place during his lifetime and explores various scenarios of sustainable co-existence between humans and other species.

Important year for climate
The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in November. Biodiversity is one of the challenges to be discussed at this important summit.  WWF, which has been monitoring the state of ecosystems worldwide, published its Living Planet report in 2020 and pointed out that the population sizes of wild vertebrates have dropped by 68% on average since 1970.

Finland aims to be the world’s first climate neutral and fossil-free welfare society. Last year, Finland was one of the first countries to voluntarily sign the Leader’s Pledge for Nature. This initiative seeks to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and to motivate the world to follow the path to sustainable development.Finland supports biodiversity through various international organisations, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Funding is also allocated to the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and such Finnish civil society organisations as WWF Finland, Siemenpuu Foundation and the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation. Finland’s active contribution to the work done in the UN shows, for example, in the monitoring of the state of the world’s forests and their carbon stocks.Information on the event:Biodiversity Panel Event; Wednesday 20 January 2021 at 13.15–14.30 (Finnish time).

The language of the event will be English. The event will be live-streamed but the documentary on Netflix is not part of the event.The panel discussion can be followed online.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — The majority of Finnish companies are generally committed to respecting human rights. However, only a quarter of companies systematically and publicly assess the impact of their business activities on the realisation of human rights. The result is in line with the international average.

These findings are revealed in a report published by the SIHTI project on 18 January. The SIHTI project examined how Finnish companies are fulfilling their human rights responsibilities in relation to expectations set out in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The research was carried out during 2020 by the Swedish School of Economics and Business Administration (Hanken), FIANT Consulting Oy, 3bility Consulting and the Human Rights Centre. The information produced in the project supports the objectives set in the Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government with regard to promoting responsible business.

Few Finnish companies report publicly on the fulfilment of their responsibilitiesThe report found that a general commitment to human rights led only a quarter of companies to implement and monitor their human rights responsibilities systematically. Finnish companies also publish little information on the actions they take to fulfil their responsibilities.

The debate on the corporate responsibility to respect human rights focuses strongly and justifiably on countries where there is a high risk of adverse human rights impacts. That said, the authors of the study feel it is important to highlight the risks that may arise in Finland and other “low-risk” countries.The findings from Finland can be compared with the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark, which examines the human rights performance of the world’s 200 largest listed companies.

“The situation clearly leaves room for improvement, but the state of implementation of the human rights responsibilities of Finnish companies is largely at the same level as was found in the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark’s global assessments. The results of the new study suggest that continuous monitoring has a significant impact on the realisation of responsibilities in practice. It is also important for companies to place greater emphasis on human rights issues at the level of strategy and management,” says Project Lead Nikodemus Solitander.

Assessment focused on 78 Finnish companiesThe assessment focused on 78 Finnish companies. Of these, 29 companies were assessed using the sector-specific Corporate Human Rights Benchmark (CHRB) methodology and 49 according to the indicators set in the UN Guiding Principles (UNGP).

The realisation of corporate responsibility for human rights was assessed based on publicly available information, which is in line with the CHRB methodology. The project also included interviews with 20 representatives of companies on the challenges involved in communicating information on corporate responsibility for human rights.

The SIHTI project was carried out as part of the implementation of the Government’s analysis, assessment and research activities for 2020.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — Minister for Nordic Cooperation and Equality Thomas Blomqvist, Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen, Minister of Education Jussi Saramo and the heads of central labour market organisations will meet on Tuesday 19 January to discuss equal pay. The meeting will focus on how to implement the joint Equal Pay Programme adopted in late 2020. The aim is to reduce the average pay gap between women and men faster.

In addition to the Ministers, the meeting will be attended by Jarkko Eloranta, President of the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK), Sture Fjäder, President of the Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff in Finland (Akava), Jyri Häkämies,  Director General of the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK), Markku Jalonen, Director General of KT Local Government Employers, Sari Ojanen, Director of Collective Agreements at the Office for the Government as Employer, Antti Palola, Chairman of the Finnish Confederation of Professionals (STTK), and Anna Kaarina Piepponen, Labour Market Director  of the Commission for Church Employers.

Minister Thomas Blomqvist, who has convened the meeting, expects the meeting to set a common direction and make a shared commitment to achieving equal pay. “The same pay for the same work or work of equal value is at the core of gender equality in working life, although this will still require a lot of hard work. It is now  possible to move forward, because the Equal Pay Programme is supported jointly by the Government and the central labour market organisations and the Programme includes concrete measures to address disparities in pay between women and men.  During the previous programme period, the average gap in the level of the average pay gap between women and mend decreased from 17% to 16%. In their joint Programme, the Government and the central labour market organisations have committed to the objective of reducing this gap faster than before. At the meeting, the participants will discuss, for example, how to achieve this objective. The Equal Pay Programme 2020–2023 brings together the joint measures of the Government and the central labour market organisations to promote equality in pay. The Programme is part of the package designed to promote pay equality as outlined in the Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government. In addition to the Equal Pay Programme, the package includes legislative projects, a research project to increase pay equality in work of equal value, and a research project to assess the gender impact of collective agreements and their impact on equal pay.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — Kanta is being developed in order to address the needs of healthcare and social welfare and the citizens even better than before. The priorities in 2021 include coronavirus vaccines, the Client Data Act, and the development of My Kanta Pages.The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (STM), the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) have published the priorities of the Kanta Services for 2021. The development of the Kanta Services is part of a wider roadmap for digitalisation and information management in the healthcare and social welfare sector.

Coronavirus vaccination data must be entered in Kanta
The coronavirus epidemic will have an impact on the development of Kanta in 2021. Coronavirus vaccination data must be entered correctly in healthcare in order to ensure that it can be utilised in national monitoring and that it is accessible by citizens in My Kanta Pages. The healthcare and social welfare services must ensure that a sufficient system version is used to ensure harmonised entry and recording of vaccination data. Kela supports providers of healthcare and social welfare services in the deployment and testing.

Progress determined by the Client Data Act
The new Client Data Act for healthcare and social welfare services is currently under reform. Parliament will continue the consideration of the Client Data Act during the spring session of 2021. The changes resulting from the Act will be extensive, having an impact on all healthcare and social welfare service providers.As a result of the Act, in addition to patient data, also client data from social welfare services, as well as wellbeing data would be entered in the Kanta Services in the future. Sharing of data in healthcare and social welfare would change so that the client’s extensive consent would be removed.

The Client Data Act would make it compulsory for all private healthcare and social welfare service providers to join Kanta. The joining will be supported at the national level. My Kanta Pages developed for the needs of citizens

My Kanta Pages and its functionalities are constantly improved. From early 2021, it will be possible to act on behalf of another adult in My Kanta Pages with Suomi.fi authentication. Showing of data of a child over 10 years of age to the parent or guardian is already possible in My Kanta Pages, and the healthcare and social welfare service providers are already deploying this functionality in phases.In the future, My Kanta Pages will show, for example, diagnosis and vaccination data on an aggregated basis under separate headings, which makes it easier to find the data. The deployment of this kind of aggregate health data is one of the priorities in 2021.

Development of the medication list continues
The national medication list makes it easier to monitor up-to-date medication from the citizens’ and professional’s viewpoint. The list would show all the medication used by an individual. Information management in medication is developed in cooperation between the national operators and healthcare and social welfare.

Deployment priorities are determined on a national basisIn addition to aggregate data for acting on behalf of a minor and health data, healthcare deployment measures will also prioritise the deployment of the archive of imaging data (radiology, ECG) and sharing of medical certificates and reports from healthcare to Kela and Traficom in 2021. Social welfare will support new deployments and extend the functionalities, for example, in acting on behalf of a child. Deployments of the register access right will also be prioritised.

Further informationMarkku Heinäsenaho, Head of information management, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health,
Riitta Konttinen, Senior Specialist, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL),
Pirjo Vuorikallas, Lead Product Owner, Social Insurance Institution of Finland, Kanta Services,

NordenBladet — At the 2020 Afghanistan Conference in November Afghanistan and the international community committed to joint development objectives for 2021-2024 and the international partners announced pledges worth US$ 3.3 billion for this year alone. Hard work now lies ahead, in making the commitments count for the benefit of the Afghan people. Ahead of the Conference, Afghan artist group Art Lords together with Afghans in five provinces painted murals on blast walls – that now serve as reminders of the hopes of the people.

The idea of the ArtLords was to create murals in major populations, as well as to produce video messages where ordinary Afghans from different parts of the country shared their asks. Giving voice to the voiceless, such as 12 year old Hashim, who wishes to go to back to school and to become an engineer, but is forced to do low paid work instead; and many others who hope for peace, education and livelihood. “The voices and the narrative of the Afghan people are missing in the current national processes in Afghanistan. The three prevailing narratives are from the Islamic Republic side, Taliban and the International Community, however the masses and millions of Afghan people do not relate to any of these groups and narratives,” says Omaid Sharifi, one of the founders and President of the Art Lords.

The work of the ArtLords is well known in Kabul, murals painted on the city’s countless gray blastwalls are easy to spot. The motive of the group for using blast walls as canvas is to transform their negative psychological impact into a positive visual experience.For the Conference the creative team of the ArtLords conceptualized and designed the mural which then was realized in a prominent location in Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, Balkh and Nangarhar. 50-100 residents of each location volunteered in the making of the artwork.

”We create a platform where everyone is welcome to paint, share their opinions and have a conversation about their fears, hopes and solutions. We are promoting critical thinking through street art,” Sharifi explains.The beautiful murals carry messages of hope, empathy, love and peace. Videos of the artwork as well as the hopes of the Afghan people were displayed on screens at the Geneva Conference and as part of the Conference webcast, that was followed in 128 countries. They were also widely shared on social media, with hashtag #AfghanVoices.

“People love the murals and the videos. Their likes, comments and shares in social media shows their immense connection with the voices shared. The people have told us that we are portraying the innocent, real and beautiful side of Afghanistan,” Sharifi tells.In a country with decades of conflict, present in everyday life, art has a role to play. The pursuit of the ArtLords is to provide a safe space of kindness, empathy and love through art.

“Art can heal. We are using painting, theater and music to help heal the wounds of the last four decades of war, violence and hatred,” says Sharifi. “Art can bring positive social change and can help a real peace process in Afghanistan.”      The 2020 Afghanistan Conference was co-hosted by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Finland and the United Nations. The #AfghanVoices project was funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.
2020 Afghanistan Conference ArtLords #AfghanVoices videos 
Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi