NordenBladet — The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health encourages civil society to participate in the preparation of the equality policy report by expressing views on what an equal Finland would look like.

The Government submitted the first ever report on gender equality to Parliament in 2010. At that time, Parliament required the Government to submit the next report on gender equality policy by the end of 2021. Preparation of the report has now started.

The Government Report on Gender Equality outlines the long-term national objectives. For setting the objectives, the report also discusses changes in the operating environment and the social conditions and their effects on gender equality. To support the preparation, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is welcoming views on what issues should be taken into account in preparing the report and what national objectives it should set. All citizens and organisations can submit opinions.

Cooperation with civil society is valuable
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, as well as various experts, are participating in the working group set up for preparation of the report. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for preparation of the whole. The report is discussed in a group comprising secretaries of state and led by Thomas Blomqvist, Minister for Nordic Cooperation and Equality . Stakeholders will be consulted again as the work progresses.Opinions can be submitted by answering the questions posed on the website lausuntopalvelu.fi until 22 January 2021.

NordenBladet — Finland will join the global Wellbeing Economy Governments (WEGo) network. The informal network currently comprises Scotland, Wales, Iceland and New Zealand. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has also participated in the operation of the WEGo network.The network offers a global forum for discussing the economy of wellbeing and other wellbeing-related issues and sharing information and best practices for the purpose of supporting decision-making. It also promotes the implementation of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals.The economy of wellbeing emphasises the balance between the three dimensions of sustainable development — social, economic and environmental sustainability. In the economy of wellbeing, public resources are allocated for improving people’s wellbeing. In the long run, the sustainability and stability of society will improve.“Joining the network will give us new opportunities to promote the economy of wellbeing approach, for example in the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. This approach makes it possible to create a sustainable foundation for a just, equal, climate-friendly and competent society which is better equipped to respond to future crises and to overcome them more swiftly,” says Minister of Social Affairs and Health Aino-Kaisa Pekonen.Theme of wellbeing economy is important to FinlandThe economy of wellbeing was the main theme in the health and social sector during Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council adopted conclusions on the economy of wellbeing under Finland’s Presidency in October 2019. The Council conclusions create a basis for further work on the concept in the EU. Since its EU Presidency, Finland has also promoted the economy of wellbeing approach in other international forums, such as the UN, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Nordic cooperation.The economy of wellbeing is also included in the Government Programme. Under the Programme, the aim of economic policy is to increase wellbeing. The Government aims, among other things, to boost the economy of wellbeing by investing in measures that foster people’s health and wellbeing and reduce their need for services.In Finland, the economy of wellbeing is promoted by the division for the economy of wellbeing of the Advisory Board on Primary Healthcare, for example. The Finnish Government discussed the issue of joining the network at its evening session on 18 November. Following the discussion, Minister of Social Affairs and Health Aino-Kaisa Pekonen informed Scotland, one of the founding members of the network, by letter that Finland would join the network.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — Today, on Sunday 20 December 2020, Finland repatriated six Finnish children and two adult mothers from north-east Syria. The persons are now in the care of competent Finnish authorities.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs organised the repatriation in cooperation with German authorities. In the same connection, Germany repatriated German children and their mothers.

Under section 22 of the Constitution of Finland, Finnish public authorities are obligated to safeguard the basic rights of the Finnish children interned in the camps insofar as this is possible.  The basic rights of the children interned in the al-Hol camps can be safeguarded only by repatriating them to Finland.

The mothers of the children were repatriated together with the children. It is not possible to repatriate only the children. In all actions, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.

About fifteen Finnish children and less than ten mothers are still interned in the camps in north-east Syria. Altogether, more than six thousand foreign children and approximately three thousand foreign mothers, of whom approximately 600 children and 300 women are EU citizens, are still in the camps. About half of the children are younger than five years old. The camps in north-east Syria constitute a long-term security risk. The longer the children remain in the camps, without protection and education, the harder it will be to counter radical extremism.

A virtual press conference will be arranged on 20 December 2020 at 14.00 in the Government Press Room.More information: MFA/Current Affairs: Counsellor Pekka Shemeikka, p. 050 311 2361

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — The Ministry of the Interior has appointed a working group to prepare cooperation between rescue services, the police and the Border Guard in the use of unmanned aircraft. The objective of the working group is to harmonise sector-specific instructions on unmanned aircraft and to intensify cooperation between authorities.

The working group will examine, for example, the possibilities of harmonising training related to unmanned aircraft and implementing the training partly in cooperation with the authorities. At the same time, the working group will explore how statistics can be compiled on the carrying out of official activities related to unmanned aviation by using consistent national methods. The establishment of the working group is linked to reforms under preparation in the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom. These reforms will update the national regulations concerning the authorities’ use of aviation to comply with European Union regulations. The aviation regulation, which will enter into force in 2021, includes new cooperation and operational obligations for the authorities.The working group now appointed is made up of representatives from the Ministry of the Interior’s Department for Rescue Services and Police Department, regional rescue departments, the Emergency Services Academy Finland, the Border Guard and the National Police Board. The term of the working group is from 1 January to 31 December 2021.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — For the first time, a comprehensive maritime spatial plan has been prepared for the Finnish marine area, compiled in an extensive cooperation process between various actors. The plan is a presentation with a map covering both territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone. It outlines, for example, significant and potential areas for underwater natural and cultural values, energy production, fishing, aquaculture, shipping and tourism. The aim is to reconcile the needs of different sectors and thus to improve the management of maritime industries and the state of the marine environment.

“Finland’s marine area has been searched through, and we have a tool in our hands to help reconcile different maritime interests. We now have a clearer picture, for instance, of the possibilities of increasing offshore wind power. Use of the sea must be based on a healthy sea and archipelago and on the preservation of unique natural values, as identified in the Maritime Spatial Plan. My warm thanks to those who have worked hard for the plan along the Finnish coast for years,” says Krista Mikkonen, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change.

The Maritime Spatial Plan provides information to serve in the background of more detailed regional plans, such as regional land use plans, and to support regional development work and permit procedures. The information can also be utilised by different sectors. The Maritime Spatial Plan is not included in the system of land use planning and has no legal effect. The plan is updated at least every ten years.

The plan is drawn up in collaboration by eight coastal regional councils. Regional authorities, various stakeholders and research institutes are also actively involved in the work.

Maritime spatial plans are drawn up in each EU Member State located by the sea. The aim of the Baltic Sea countries is that the plans can also coordinate projects and activities across maritime boundaries, secure ecological connections and improve the state of the marine environment.

Future strengths of the Finnish marine area
Northern Bothnian Sea, Kvarken and Bothnian Bay
The area is characterised by a coastline with post-glacial rebound, large rivers with inhabited estuaries, a partly shallow sea area and ice-covered winter conditions. The Bothnian Bay National Park and the Kvarken Archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will continue to attract the development of tourism and recreation.

The multisectoral industry based on shipping will continue to play a key role. Most coastal areas and the Kvarken Archipelago are important fishing areas. The Bothnian Bay is home to migratory fish in the Baltic Sea, and aquaculture areas are being developed with marine nature in mind.

The Vaasa-Umeå link creates the preconditions for developing activities in the Kvarken area. The Northern Bothnian Sea and the Bothnian Bay have potential areas for offshore wind power plants.

Archipelago Sea and Southern Bothnian SeaThe location of the Bothnian Sea in the transitional zone between southern and northern species, the Archipelago Sea Biosphere Site and the coastal rivers and estuaries form a unique entity, the preservation of which is supported by the Bothnian Sea and Archipelago Sea National Parks. The diverse cultural heritage and natural values are the attractions of the area.

The region is home to an internationally competitive concentration of ports and high-tech maritime industries. In the future, all industrial activities will focus on solutions that improve the state of the marine environment. The aim is to develop renewable energy production and, in particular, to increase offshore wind power. Fishing in the southern part of the Bothnian Sea and aquaculture based on new technology in the Archipelago Sea are viable livelihoods.

Gulf of Finland
In the Gulf of Finland, maritime activities are integrated while also fostering the good state of the marine environment. The marine area is heavily trafficked and has major international ports, which generate growth.Cities by the sea are a gateway for tourists to the archipelago, whose unique atmosphere also attracts new residents and actors. Sustainable recreation and tourism services are developed on the terms of local residents, nature and cultural values. Research cooperation linked with marine areas creates blue growth, i.e. innovation, product development and new jobs.

NordenBladet — The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health predicts that the first batch of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine arrive in Finland already over Christmas. Finland prepares to start vaccinations alongside other EU countries on 27 December if the marketing authorisation and deliveries are in order.

Vaccine deliveries can start only after the European Commission has granted the vaccine a marketing authorisation. The Commission grants marketing authorisations in the EU based on a scientific evaluation and a positive recommendation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The EMA is expected to give its recommendation on Monday 21 December. The Ministry does not yet know the size of the first batch of vaccines to arrive in Finland but expects it to be relatively small.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — Director General Esa Pulkkinen from the Defence Policy Department of the Ministry of Defence has been nominated as member of the Commission on the Irish Defence Forces.Minister for Defence and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ireland, Mr Simon Coveney has established an independent Commission, tasked to ensure that the Irish Defence Forces are fit for purpose and to develop a long-term vision for beyond 2030.

Ireland has invited national and international experts on defence and security policy to work on the Commission. Mr Aidan O’Driscoll, former Secretary General of the Department of Justice of Ireland, will chair the Commission.- It is naturally a great honour for me, as a Finn, to participate in the development of the Defence Forces in another EU member state. In my previous job as Director General of the EU Military Staff, I was from time to time in close contact with Ireland and the Irish Chief of Defence, says Director General Pulkkinen.

He will take part in the Commission’s work in addition to his permanent duties at the Ministry of Defence.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — Police traffic enforcement is of key importance to improving road safety and combating traffic crime. However, other broad-based, as well as targeted actions are also needed. An action programme for police traffic enforcement and traffic safety for 2021–2024, prepared by the Ministry of the Interior, was sent for comments on 18 December.

“The programme’s objectives are to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries, and to combat the grey economy in commercial transport. It also aims to enhance the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of traffic crime. Maintaining traffic safety is naturally another key objective of the programme”, says Chief Superintendent Jari Pajunen.

The programme emphasises, among other things, cooperation, communication, and preventive measuresThe action programme emphasises effectiveness, cooperation, skills, communication, fact-based management, and preventive action. As the organisation in charge of police operations, the National Police Board of Finland will implement the objectives of the action programme.

The Ministry of Transport and Communication is currently preparing a national traffic safety strategy. The action programme for the police will be updated on the basis of the conclusions of this strategy if necessary.

Police improve road safety together with stakeholders and citizens
Police cooperation and information sharing with other road safety authorities, organisations and municipalities is essential. Cooperation is local, regional, national, and international and it aims to improve traffic safety.It is also important that citizens want to cooperate with the police to promote road safety. The effectiveness of policing is largely based on the assistance and cooperation of citizens, and their support for police work.

Reductions in road deaths falling short of targets in recent yearsRoad safety has improved over the long term, but the targets for the reduction of traffic deaths have not been achieved in recent years. According to preliminary information from Statistics Finland, 210 people died and 4,994 were injured in road traffic in 2019. According to preliminary data, 196 people died on the roads during the January–November period this year.

Additional information:
Chief Superintendent Jari Pajunen, tel.  +358 295 488 576

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi