A global and open internet prevents confrontation and strengthens the realisation of human rights

December 14, 2021

NordenBladet — Finland has chaired the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) in 2021. The Chairship culminated in a Ministerial Meeting on the state and future of an open and safe internet in December, hosted by Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto.The Freedom Online Coalition is the most important global intergovernmental human rights organisation that promotes the realisation of human rights on the internet. The FOC focuses on the development of guidelines related to the internet and digitalisation, diplomatic coordination as well as cooperation with civil society, the scientific Community and businesses.During the past year under Finland’s Chairship, the FOC increased its visibility in the UN Human Rights Council, and diplomatic FOC networks met in Geneva (UN Human Rights Council), Paris (UNESCO) and New York (UN). The latter meeting was held in cooperation with the United States. Networking with the business world in Silicon Valley is promoted by the Silicon Valley Working Group, set up under the leadership of Finland and Austria. Efforts have been made to strengthen the FOC’s dialogue with its African member states and human rights defenders working in the African Union by means of organising FOC events in Africa.Ministerial meeting examined the transformation in the digital realm in the past decadeThe FOC Ministerial Meeting on 3 December brought together foreign ministers from almost all 34 FOC member governments to discuss the state of a free, open and fair internet. The digital transition has created new opportunities for democratic participation. The internet and digital technologies have created new ways of earning a living and obtaining information, and developed civic participation platforms where diverse voices can be heard. These new ways and platforms also empower citizens to question discrepancies and shortcomings in the conduct of those in power.However, the digital divide continues to persist, even though the number of internet users is increasing. Disinformation as well as cyberbullying and harassment, which are often aimed at women and young people, undermine trust in the internet environment and democracy. When authoritarian states use the internet for political purposes, it is important to collaborate with different actors and persist in defending the development of an internet where human rights are fulfilled. Keynote speakers: The FOC’s role is more important than ever beforeMinister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto, who hosted the event, said that the FOC’s role as a defender of human rights is now more important than ever before. The lack of digital equality is a fact not only between the global north and south, but also in Finland. It is important to pay attention to how different population groups, such as older people, can access services in an increasingly digital world.A globally compatible and open internet can prevent global confrontation and strengthen the rules-based international system and the realisation of human rights.The freedom Online Coalition was established in 2011 under the leadership of then U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Uri Rosenthal. In her opening speech at this year’s Ministerial Meeting, Secretary Clinton strongly criticised major internet and tech companies and stated that they are enabling authoritarian regimes to restrict civil rights. They also often hide human rights violations to achieve economic profits.Clinton stressed that significance of the future of the Freedom Online Coalition in the changing world, where the need to defend democracy against the rise of authoritarian regimes has increased.The panel discussion stressed the need of increasingly strong contacts with countries combating the power for the internet. It is important to build contacts especially with developing countries and with actors in the corporate, civil society and research communities. As required, the FOC should be able to take a stand when human rights are violated in any single country.Helsinki Declaration guides us towards a more equal world in the 2020sThe Ministerial Meeting published the Freedom Online Coalition 10th Anniversary Helsinki Declaration, which gives guidance for the FOC in the 2020s. In the jubilee year declaration negotiated under Finland’s leadership, the foreign ministers of the FOC member states reaffirmed their commitment to defend human rights on the internet.In the Declaration, the FOC sends a strong message to promote a free, open and safe internet open to all as well as to advance human rights-based digitalisation. The FOC members will promote these goals by exerting more visible influence on UN human rights forums and regional forums as well as through closer cooperation with the FOC’s advisory network consisting of actors from different fields.Canada will hold the Chairship of the FOC in 2022. During its Chairship, Canada will focus on access to the internet, digital literacy, civic engagement and a secure online environment for all.Read more about the FOC Helsinki Declaration at the Freedom Online Coalition’s website.Read more about Finland’s Chairship on the Ministry’s webpage.Materials on the Freedom Online Coalition websiteFOC 10th Anniversary Helsinki DeclarationFreedom Online Conference Chair’s SummaryRecording of the Ministerial Meeting

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

County elections on 23 January 2022

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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December 14, 2021

NordenBladet — The first county elections will be held in Finland on Sunday 23 January 2022. A county council for each of the 21 wellbeing services counties will be elected in the elections. The term of the county councils will begin on 1 March 2022 and end on 31 May 2025.The advance voting period is from 12 to 18 January 2022 in Finland and from 12 to 15 January 2022 abroad. The voting period is, however, shorter than this at many of the advance polling stations abroad.Voters may only vote for a candidate standing for election in their wellbeing services county. The residents of Helsinki will not vote in the county elections, because Helsinki does not form a wellbeing services county or belong to any of the counties. The City of Helsinki continues to be responsible for organising health, social and rescue services in Helsinki.Until now, municipalities have been responsible for organising health, social and rescue services, but in future, this responsibility will be assumed by the wellbeing services counties. The wellbeing services counties are autonomous, and the highest decision-making power in each county will be exercised by a county council.Candidate applications must be submitted by 16.00 on 14 DecemberCandidate applications must be submitted to the county election boards by 16.00 on 14 December. The county election boards will review the applications and confirm the nomination of candidates on 23 December. Information on the candidates and their candidate numbers will be published on the Electionsfinland.fi website in the evening of 23 December. Development of COVID-19 epidemic is taken into account in election arrangementsThe county elections will be held in January 2022 with the arrangements required by the epidemiological situation. The Ministry of Justice and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) will take the development of the epidemic into account in the practical election arrangements. According to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, voting is a low-risk activity.The Ministry of Justice and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare have drawn up guidelines for election authorities on the safe conduct of elections during COVID-19. If local health authorities issue more detailed instructions, they must be observed. The Electionsfinland.fi website contains instructions for voters on maintaining health security at the polling stations during COVID-19. Voters must wear a face mask, use hand sanitiser and maintain sufficient physical distance from others at the polling station. Election officials will ensure safety at the polling stations and advise voters on how to follow the instructions. Voters can contact the central municipal election board of their municipality to ask about the special arrangements. Notices of right to vote are sent during DecemberThe Digital and Population Data Services Agency will send a notice of right to vote (polling card) to all eligible voters. The notice is accompanied by a list of the advance polling stations near the voter’s place of residence and information about the duties of the wellbeing services counties.The notices will be sent out on 30 December 2021 at the latest. The notice is sent in electronic format to those eligible voters who have activated the Suomi.fi Messages service and given their consent for all official messages to be sent to them electronically.It is easy to find out your polling station and wellbeing services county A list of all advance polling stations is available on the Electionsfinland.fi website of the Ministry of Justice. On election day, 23 January 2022, voters may only vote at the polling station mentioned in the notice of right to vote sent to them. During the advance voting period, voters may vote at any advance polling station.Voters can obtain information on the addresses and opening hours of polling stations by calling the Elections helpline. Calls to the helpline are free of charge, and service is provided in Finnish (0800 9 4770) and in Swedish (0800 9 4771). Voters can also send election-related questions on WhatsApp (050 438 8730). The voting register for the 2022 county elections was compiled based on the information contained in the Population Information System on 3 December 2021. The voter’s place of residence determines the wellbeing services county in which the voter is entitled to vote and their election day polling station. Each wellbeing services county has its own candidates, and voters can only vote for the candidates standing for election in their wellbeing services county. If an eligible voter moves after 3 December, the wellbeing services county and the election day polling station are determined based on their previous place of residence. The total number of eligible voters is approximately 3,933,000. Information on which wellbeing services county each municipality belongs to can be found on the website of the health and social services reform at https://soteuudistus.fi/hyvinvointialueiden-nimet-ja-niihin-kuuluvat-kunnat.Election results will be published on election day as the vote count progressesOn election day, the progress of the preliminary vote count can be followed online. Information on the number of votes received by each candidate and the number and percentage of votes received by each political party in each wellbeing services county and in the entire country will be published in the Information and Result Service. Once the recount of votes has been completed, the county election boards will confirm the final election results at their meetings starting at 18.00 on Wednesday 26 January at the latest. The confirmed results will be published on the Electionsfinland.fi website in the evening of 26 January.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Nordic ministers and public officials cooperate closely on civil preparedness

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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December 14, 2021

NordenBladet — Today, ministers responsible for civil preparedness or their deputies from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Finland met via videoconference in the framework of so-called Haga cooperation. Finland’s Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen chaired the meeting, which ended Finland’s 2021 chairmanship of the Haga cooperation.“The last year has shown that the Nordic countries’ capacity to prevent, manage and monitor different types of serious crises and incidents must be further strengthened. We can learn from each other, as our experiences of threats, risks and vulnerabilities are largely similar. Effective preparedness will be built on these experiences. For example, climate change may lead to more and more extreme and unforeseen events in the coming years,” says Mikkonen.Haga cooperation is political cooperation between Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland aimed at promoting Nordic cooperation on civil preparedness. The cooperation was launched in 2009 at Haga Palace (Haga slott) in Sweden, which has given its name for the cooperation. Implementation of lessons learned from the management of the COVID-19 pandemic to be discussed in the coming yearsDuring Finland’s chairmanship, the Nordic countries continued their cooperation on forest fires, wildfires, CBRNE threats and emergency networks. CBRNE threats mean the misuse of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive materials.In addition, there was closer cooperation with operational actors, and the future priorities of Haga cooperation for 2022–2024 were prepared with them. Over the next few years, the intention is to discuss the implementation of the lessons learned from the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in civil preparedness as well as in issues related to climate change and Host Nation Support. Nordic civil-military cooperation has intensified over the past year, and a joint Haga-NORDEFCO (Nordic Defence Cooperation) meeting was held in Helsinki in October. Questions related to civil preparedness have been discussed in several Nordic forums during the past year, especially in the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Nordic Council. It is important to cooperate, if necessary, and coordinate these issues to avoid duplication of work. The meeting participants agreed to continue to strengthen and develop Nordic cooperation on civil preparedness during the Icelandic chairmanship in 2022.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Working group examined grounds for updating labour legislation to promote work-life balance

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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December 14, 2021

NordenBladet — A tripartite working group prepared a number of legislative amendments for the implementation of the Work-life Balance Directive and the Finnish family leave reform. In addition, the group compared the current labour legislation with the Government’s objectives to improve gender equality at work and in families.The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment appointed the working group for a term from 3 December 2019 until 31 December 2021. The group submitted its report to the Ministry on 14 December 2021. It does not propose any legislative amendments based on the Government Programme. However, the report includes a dissenting opinion and a supplementary statement.Family leave reform promotes gender equality in working lifeThe working group was assigned to prepare the legislative amendments for implementing the Work-life Balance Directive that fall within the mandate of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. The Directive lays down provisions on paternity leave, parental leave and carers’ leave, on flexible working arrangements for parents or carers and on legal protection for those using the right to flexible working arrangements. The provisions are minimum requirements designed to achieve gender equality in working life and facilitate the reconciliation of work and family life.In Finland, the Directive will be implemented alongside the family leave reform. The family leave reform will enter into force on 1 August 2022. It aims to increase gender equality both in the daily lives of families and in working life. The position of women in the labour market will improve when family leave is divided more equally between the two parents. This will affect attitudes, which in turn can reduce discrimination against women in working life.Flexible working hours and protection for employees returning from family leave under reviewIn line with the Government Programme, the working group reviewed the legislation regardingflexibility in working hours to support work-life balance and coping at workprotection against discrimination on the grounds of pregnancy for temporary employeesprotection against unjustified termination for employees returning from family leave.The working group states that part-time work is already possible under the current Finnish labour legislation. The implementation of the family leave reform and the Work-life Balance Directive will further improve the opportunities to part-time work for parents with small children.The current Employment Contracts Act already offers stronger protection for pregnant employees and employees taking family leave. Stronger protection applies even to employees who return to work from family leave. The Act on Equality between Women and Men bans gender-based discrimination and prohibits treating employees less favourably than others on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth or parenthood.The working group had differing views on whether provisions banning discrimination on grounds of pregnancy and family leave should be included in the Employment Contracts Act. However, it does not propose any such amendments to the Act. Discrimination can be best prevented by changing attitudes and practices at work. The needs to amend the Act on Equality between Women and Men will be reviewed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

EU training mission in Mozambique begins – Finland to join the mission

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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December 13, 2021

NordenBladet — The province of Cabo Delgado in northern Mozambique has been under attack by Islamic insurgents for more than four years. Anna-Kaisa Heikkinen, Ambassador of Finland to Mozambique, explains what is happening in Cabo Delgado and why it is important for Finland to participate in the EU training mission. The aim of the EU training mission is to support the Mozambican armed forces so that they can restore peace and security to Cabo Delgado. Photo: EUTMSince 2017, the conflict in Cabo Delgado has killed more than 5,000 people and forced nearly 750,000 to flee their homes. What is the current situation in the province? Have international armed forces been able to bring the situation under control?The Rwandan and SADC troops that were deployed in Cabo Delgado a few months ago helped the Mozambican government troops gain control of the Islamist rebel bases quite quickly. However, as a result of these attacks, the militants fled to nearby forests and villages, and they have continued to carry out individual attacks in Cabo Delgado. Over the past few weeks, there have also been reports of individual attacks in Cabo Delgado’s neighbouring province, Niassa. Niassa is a sparsely populated forest region, which will make it more difficult to trace the militants.Who are the militants? Have we been able to establish a dialogue with them?They are called Islamic militants because their ideology is rooted in radical Islam, and they claim to cooperate with ISIS. The United States calls Cabo Delgado’s Islamist insurgents and a few of their leading figures ISIS-Mozambique, and has included it in its list of Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Although their ideology is rooted in radical Islam, the majority of fighters are motivated by non-religious factors such as deep social inequality — poverty, unemployment and lack of prospects represent a major problem in Cabo Delgado. We also know that not all of the militants are Muslims; some of them are Christians. We believe the first ideological leaders came from other countries, including Tanzania, but the majority of fighters are local people. Most of them are young men. Estimates of their number vary between one and three thousand.    The only channel they use for making public statements is social media, including some accounts with ISIS influence. Although we have not seen any “talking heads” in public so far, some militant leaders have been identified.The EU Training Mission (EUTM) began in early November 2021. How would you describe the cooperation with Mozambique’s security forces?The EU has been able to launch the training mission rapidly and is ready to carry it out as planned. The Mozambican government has welcomed the deployment of the EUTM and is willing to cooperate.A maximum of five staff officers from Finland will participate in the mission in trainer and advisory roles. Why should Finland participate in the mission?What is at stake here is the stability and future of Mozambique, Finland’s long-term partner country in development cooperation. Since we have made significant investments to promote development in Mozambique, it is only natural that we take action to ensure our investment is not wasted. The situation in Cabo Delgado also has a significant impact on regional stability in Southern Africa. The stability of the African continent, Europe’s neighbour and partner, is important to us.Training support for Mozambique’s security forces is also being provided by the United States and the United Kingdom, and by Rwanda and the SADC countries, which have already deployed troops in Mozambique. In addition, the country has acquired capacity-building services from the South Africa-based Paramount Group. Is Mozambique able and equipped to run point on this operation?With such a large number of players involved, coordination is a big challenge. Mozambique naturally needs to own and lead the operation, but all participants must commit to exchanging and sharing information and pulling together. Mozambique has shown a serious commitment to the task at hand and wants to work together with its partners to achieve results. The arrival of international troops has helped the delivery of humanitarian aid. Photo: WFP Both the insurgents and Mozambican army troops have committed human rights violations. How has this been addressed in Mozambique?Civil society organisations and research institutes in Mozambique have presented substantiated facts on human rights violations committed by both parties. While the insurgents have committed some exceptionally cruel human rights violations, including against the local population, the same holds true for the security forces. This is a matter of ongoing public debate, and it is clear that human rights violations by security forces are a very sensitive issue for the Government of Mozambique. The human rights aspect is an important element in the security forces’ work, and it will play a prominent role in the EUTM training operation.How would you describe the current humanitarian situation in the region? The deployment of international troops, particularly from Rwanda, has made it a little easier to deliver humanitarian assistance to the region. However, funding for humanitarian assistance is insufficient, which is why the WFP was forced to halve the food aid it provides to internally displaced persons. An enormous humanitarian response is called for, considering that there are 750,000 internally displaced persons, the majority of them within Cabo Delgado. The estimated number of people affected by the conflict in the four northern provinces (Cabo Delgado, Nia, Nampula and Zambezia) amounts to 950,000.Are there any plans to develop Cabo Delgado, which is currently one of the least developed regions in Mozambique?Cabo Delgado’s problems are rooted in social inequality, which has deepened over the decades. This means that measures that address the basic structures of society are required to resolve the current conflict. I am delighted that the Mozambican government recognises this, and is now in the process of creating a multi-annual development plan for northern Mozambique (Cabo Delgado and its neighbouring provinces Niasa and Nampula) together with international partners. So, now that the preliminary work has been done, we need financing and, above all, effective implementation. Has the situation in Cabo Delgado stabilised enough for internally displaced people to return to their homes?The Government of Mozambique has drawn up a reconstruction plan for Cabo Delgado, which is supported by the international community. Reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure has already begun, with priority given to electricity and telecommunications networks. Unfortunately, people will not be able to return to their homes until safety in the area can be guaranteed.      Defence Forces, press release: The Finnish Defence Forces’ participation in the European Union military training mission in Mozambique will start in DecemberEuropean Union Training Mission in Mozambique

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

OECD appreciates Finland’s ambitious environmental targets – more effective policy measures needed

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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December 13, 2021

NordenBladet — According the OECD’s review, the development of Finland’s environmental policy has been positive in recent years. The OECD considers the carbon neutrality target and targets related to promoting biodiversity and a circular economy as highly relevant. However, the current measures will not be enough to reach the targets that have been set and, according to the OECD, this will be a challenge for Finland in the coming decade.These are the conclusions of the OECD review published today, on 13 December, that evaluates Finland’s environmental policy and its effectiveness. The review sums up the results of the OECD country review on environmental policy carried out in 2020-2021 and gives recommendations on how Finland could further improve the performance of its environmental policy. The recommendations concern nature conservation, air quality, waste management, circular economy, water protection, environmental administration and green growth measures, as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation. As a theme that further deepens the analysis, the report discusses measures related to climate change mitigation. The OECD recommends more coherence in the implementation of Finland’s climate policy. Accessible and low-emission transport, low-carbon energy production and improving the energy efficiency of buildings and residential areas are the means by which Finland’s climate targets could best be promoted.“Finland is committed to carbon neutrality by 2035. The target alone is not enough, but we must also make it come true. Further actions will be needed, and these will be included in the Climate Change Policy Plan to 2035 to be adopted within the next few months and in the Climate and Energy Strategy. The OECD report gives good insights regarding the national commitment to be prepared next year for the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy, which will guide Finland’s work for the benefit of the natural environment, especially in terms of protecting the biodiversity of forests,” says Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Emma Kari.The OECD considers that the high level of environmental awareness among the Finns in general and our deep connections with nature may support the implementation of environmental policy. However, further measures are needed so that the goals that have been set can be achieved in practice.“Finland should turn its ambitious strategies into effective and coherent action. Integrated policy packages are needed to encourage behavioural changes and steer the transition towards carbon neutrality. More efforts are also needed to reduce threats to biodiversity, curb waste generation and improve material use”, says Director for the Environment Directorate, Rodolfo Lacy.State of environmental policy reviewed on a regular basisThis was the third OECD country review on Finland’s environmental policy. The previous one was conducted in 2009. Finland’s membership in the OECD requires regular reviews to be made on the state of the national environmental policy. The purpose of the country reviews is to produce an independent assessment of how Finland implements the national and international environmental policy targets.The OECD Secretariat collected the data used as a basis for the review in 2020-2021 through surveys and discussion events. A large group of experts from e.g. several ministries and research institutes participated in the collection of the data. The OECD publishes the results of the reviews as individual reports. A summary of these is published in Finnish as well. The results and recommendations in the reports serve as an important knowledge base for the development of environmental policy.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

25 years of TAIEX

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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December 13, 2021

NordenBladet — The Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument (TAIEX) funded by the European Union celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. In Finland, the milestone was marked by a publication and a seminar.TAIEX was initially set up in 1996 to  provide short-term technical expert assistance to support the then candidate countries from Central and Eastern Europe in their alignment with the EU’s internal market. Since then, the instrument has expanded both thematically and geographically, and is today a global development programme bringing together public administration experts around the world. According to the European Commission’s statistics, more than 40,000 experts have participated in TAIEX activities since 1996, and more than 26,000 events have already been organised.TAIEX from different perspectivesThe national 25th anniversary event was held virtually on 25 November. The event attracted a large number of participants, and included speeches by representatives from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Commission and Finnish TAIEX stakeholders.The opening words at the jubilee seminar were delivered by Matti Anttonen, Permanent State Secretary at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, who stated that TAIEX has over the years been a concrete instrument for Finland to be globally influential. The greetings from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations were conveyed by Francisco López-Menchero, Acting Head of Unit. López-Menchero thanked Finland for its active participation in TAIEX, especially in recent years. After that, Eerikki Vainio, who is the National Contact Point for TAIEX coordination at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, told about Finland’s participation in TAIEX in 1996–2021.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

New strategy on expatriate Finns takes better account of the needs of Finns living abroad

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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December 13, 2021

NordenBladet — Today, on 13 December, the Ministry of the Interior published the Strategy on Expatriate Finns 2022–2026. The Strategy sets objectives and actions to respond to the service needs of expatriate Finns and to make better use of their expertise.Approximately 300,000 Finnish citizens live outside the country. According to some estimates, the number of people with a Finnish descent is up to 1.6–2 million worldwide. “With this new Strategy on Expatriate Finns, we want to strengthen the contacts of expatriate Finns with Finnish society and their inclusion. The Strategy’s actions aim to ensure that in future Finland is better able to serve its citizens regardless of time and place, and to support Finnish identity and culture abroad,” says Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen. The objectives and actions of the Strategy are related to:
•   coordinating the affairs of expatriate Finns in central government
•   developing communication by public authorities concerning expatriate Finns
•   promoting easy access to services provided by authorities for expatriate Finns
•   strengthening the Finnish identity, language, culture and nationality of expatriate Finns
•   making use of expatriate Finns in support of trade and industry, export promotion, research and sustainable development
•   strengthening the social participation of expatriate Finns
•   the attractiveness of return migration.“Expatriate Finns have a lot of talent needed in the Finnish labour market, which is why we have wanted to ensure that those who are planning to return to their home country are able to do so as easily as possible,” the Minister continues.Expatriate Finns involved in the preparation of the StrategyThe preparation of the new Strategy was guided by a desire to hear views of expatriate Finns and engage them in the work. The Strategy is based, for example on information collected in workshops organised for expatriate Finns. In addition, the resolutions of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament held in summer 2021 were taken into account in the work.The sources used in the preparation also included the results of the Migration Institute of Finland’s extensive survey ‘Changing Nature of Being an Expatriate Finn’ and the report on the expatriate policies in reference countries prepared by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.Working group to monitor strategy implementationThe Ministry of the Interior has a coordination role in central government related to the affairs of expatriate Finns. The Strategy on Expatriate Finns is a document of the Ministry of the Interior adopted by the Ministerial Working Group on Internal Security and Strengthening the Rule of Law in a written procedure.The seven ministries that participated in preparing the Strategy will keep in contact and continue to monitor the implementation of the Strategy in the new governmental working group on expatriate Finns. The working group will meet annually under the leadership of the Ministry of the Interior and review how the measures have progressed. The Finland Society (Suomi-Seura ry) and the Migration Institute of Finland, both of which also participated in the preparation of the Strategy, will be consulted in the monitoring process. Based on the working group’s meeting, an annual webinar for expatriate Finns, coordinated by the Ministry of the Interior, will be planned and organised at the end of the year. In the middle of the strategy period, during the first half of 2024, the question how the implementation of the Strategy on Expatriate Finns has been progressing will be submitted to the Ministerial Working Group for discussion. The preparation of the next strategy will begin at the end of 2025.Ask about the Strategy – join the presentation on 15 DecemberThe Ministry of the Interior invites expatriate Finns and others interested in the subject to follow the presentation of the Strategy on Facebook Live on Wednesday 15 December at 13.00. Minister of the Interior Mikkonen will give the opening speech at the event. Senior Specialist Marja Avonius from the Ministry of the Interior and Executive Director Tina Strandberg from the Finland Society will present the Strategy and answer questions from the public at the event.Questions about the Strategy, its preparation and implementation can be sent both during the broadcast and in advance via the Facebook event page.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Message from Finland: Santa reassures kids that Christmas deliveries will happen as planned

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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December 12, 2021

NordenBladet — n/a

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

MFA: Finland repatriates five member family from Syria

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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December 10, 2021

NordenBladet — On Friday 10 December 2021, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs repatriated a Finnish mother and her four children from Syria. All five had previously been in the al-Hol camp. They are now in the care of competent Finnish authorities.Finnish authorities have a constitutional obligation to safeguard the fundamental rights of Finnish citizens – especially children – held in the camps as far as possible. The only way to safeguard the fundamental rights of children held in Syria is to bring them to Finland.The repatriated persons are members of the same family. One of the mother’s children has reached adulthood, the youngest is under five years of age. All five have previously been in the al-Hol camp. The family was repatriated from Syria via Turkey in cooperation with the Turkish authorities.It was not possible to repatriate only the children. In all official activities, priority has been given to the best interests of the child.Since 2019, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has repatriated a total of 35 Finns, 26 children and nine adults, who were held in the al-Hol camp. A dozen Finns are still in the Syrian camps.The camps in northeast Syria constitute a serious, long-term security risk. The longer the children are kept in the camps without protection and education, the harder it will be to fight violent extremism and radicalisation.The Ministry for Foreign Affairs intends, as possible, to repatriate the Finnish children still detained in the camps.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

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