NordenBladet — We now have an opportunity to create the conditions that encourage investment in a healthy population and planet, with adequately resourced, responsive and innovative health care, social care, environmental protection and related systems, the Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development appointed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) states in its final report.The role of the independent Commission has been to gather the best practices adopted by the health care systems in various countries in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and to make recommendations on the investments and reforms required by the health and social services in order to improve their sustainability. The Commission is chaired by Professor Mario Monti, former Prime Minister of Italy.The Commission’s message is that social and health care must be made a social and political priority whilst their critical role in sustainable development and social cohesion must be recognised.The report presents a number of reasons why future crisis management requires investment in health and sustainable development, introducing new approaches to health and the related determinants based on the lessons learned from the pandemic. The coronavirus pandemic has exerted an impact not only on health and well-being but also on economies, social cohesion and education. Moreover, these effects have fallen disproportionately on different groups.Finland has been represented in the Commission by President Tarja Halonen on the proposal of Krista Kiuru, Finland’s Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services. President Halonen, who chaired two different working groups, has, among other things, emphasised the position of vulnerable groups.‘The report’s comprehensive approach to the coronavirus pandemic forms a starting point for sustaining the carrying capacity of both individuals and society. Those who are in a vulnerable position to begin with will be worse hit by the coronavirus, which must be taken into account in planning. For humanitarian reasons, these people should be better supported. This also has a bearing on the overall capacity of the community. Addressing grievances in the aftermath of the pandemic would serve as an effective preventive action with the future in mind,’ says President Tarja Halonen.‘Investing in sustainable healthcare systems, social and health care and mental health is an investment in crisis-resistant societies,’ notes Krista Kiuru, Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services. WHO: Drawing light from the pandemic: A new strategy for health and sustainable development (2021)

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — The webinar is a kickoff for creating a constructive dialogue about Nordic food culture and its different drivers for promoting sustainable lifestyle. It’s time to explore the New Nordic Kitchen Manifesto as a catalyst in creating a new tool for a constructive dialogue to match the different sustainability perspectives of just food systems in the Nordics.The Zoom- webinar is held 27th of September 2021 at 12.00-15:00 EEST, Helsinki.
Registration (DL 24th of September) here.  

The Nordics are on a mission to transform their food systems. The countries want to further strengthen their role as pioneers. One step for reaching sustainable development goals is to share Nordic solutions, innovations and best practices. Here we need to listen to, network with, be inspired by and learn from the younger generation of professionals such as chefs and other key actors within the whole value chain of food. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — At the presidential session on Friday 10 September 2021, the President of the Republic appointed new non-resident ambassadors.The President of the Republic authorised Ambassador Antti Kaski, Head of the Embassy of Finland in Bogotá, to represent Finland also in Panama; Ambassador Pekka Kosonen, Head of the Embassy of Finland in Cairo, to represent Finland also in Sudan; and Ambassador Päivi Pohjanheimo, Head of the Embassy of Finland in Mexico City, to represent Finland also in El Salvador. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will launch a crowdsourced information security testing for some of its public online services on 22 September 2021. The so-called bug bounty program will be implemented in cooperation with Hackrfi, a company specialising in bug bounty program management. In the program, security researchers and hackers examine and scan vulnerabilities in selected targets, working subject to a set of clear boundaries. Participating hackers will be paid rewards based on eligible vulnerability reports.The Ministry for Foreign Affairs piloted the program between December 2019 and May 2020. Hackers filed more than 100 vulnerability reports, of which 32 were rewarded. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has decided to make the program a permanent part of the implementation of its information security. The targets selected for the program will vary as the program develops.“The Foreign Ministry’s online services are examined, whether we want it or not. We are aware that outsiders are constantly showing interest in us, and all of them do not necessarily have good intentions.  The program aims to bring to our knowledge and to rectify vulnerabilities that would otherwise remain unnoticed,” says Matti Parviainen, Director for Information Security at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.The primary targets of testing will be our online services, which are available to everyone directly on the internet. In our services, not only confidentiality but also the availability and integrity of information are emphasised. One of the targets of testing is the matkustusilmoitus.fi  service, which is one of the most important tools for us to get information about and reach Finnish citizens in crisis areas.Successful crowdsourced testing of information security at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs – bug bounty program to permanent use (Press release 2.10.2020)

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — On 6 October, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will open a new call for applications concerning funding to be targeted to research, innovation and development projects under the Catch the Carbon package of climate measures. About EUR 13 million in funding is available for the new projects. The calls for applications will be open until 4 November 2021.The projects will supplement the Catch the Carbon package launched in 2020 as part of the additional measures for the land use sector under the Government Programme. The aim is to achieve an annual emission reduction of at least three million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2035. The projects to be funded should promote carbon sequestration and storage in agriculture and forestry, reduce emissions from the land use sector and support adaptation to climate change and its impacts.New development projects to support local climate workThe development projects should be close to practice and they should focus especially on promoting local climate work. About EUR 8 million in funding is available for the development projects.The possible themes include promoting the introduction of climate resilient farming and forest management methods that support adaptation and a just transition. The projects may also concern ways to prevent forest loss and clearing of peaty soils, or developing and piloting new uses for lands released from peat production, wetland cultivation and catchment-level operating models for water economy. The aim in this call for applications concerning development projects is also to fund experiments in carbon markets and promote the development of sequestration factors for greenhouse gases using different cultivation methods and soil types.The call for applications is hoped to courage local and regional cooperation. Funding may be granted to different kinds of operators, including universities, municipalities, counties, Metsähallitus, advisory organisations, educational institutions, reindeer herding cooperatives, parishes, research organisations, government agencies, associations and private companies.“This is an exceptionally good opportunity to focus on practical climate measures in the regions. The aim is to strengthen the climate resilience of agriculture and forestry, which will also enhance the viability of regions and their opportunities to promote local expertise, and the dissemination of good practices,” says Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Jari Leppä.“I hope that this call for applications will encourage a broad spectrum of actors to find practical solutions to questions that are now being discussed regarding agriculture and forestry.”Research and innovation programme focused on young researchersA supplementary call for applications under the Catch the Carbon research and innovation programme will also be opened in October. About EUR 5 million in funding is available for the research. The aim of the research and innovation programme is to produce new research information that anticipates changes in the operating environment and proposals for solutions that will promote climate action in the land use sector and the sustainable use of renewable natural resources. The projects should also take into account the impacts on biodiversity, waters and food security.“The aim of the research and innovation programme is to further strengthen research and renewal in the sector. This is why a particular focus is on supporting researchers who are in the early stages of their scientific career. What we can offer them is further education, especially on the impact of research, and opportunities for networking,” says Marjaana Suorsa, Programme Manager of the research and innovation programme.In connection with the calls for applications in October, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry aims to also open the first call for applications for projects promoting environmental sustainability and nature-based solutions as well as climate resilient measures in the land use sector related to the Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland (RRF). This call for applications is still under preparation, but the idea is to offer a total of EUR 7 million in funding for projects that will promote climate resilient forestry.The calls for applications under the research and development programme and concerning development projects will be presented in a webinar on 7 October at 9.00–10.30. The schedule for the call for applications under the RRF, the calls for applications and an invitation to the webinar will be published on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry during September.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — The GTK Mintec pilot plant and laboratories in Outokumpu, operated by the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK), will get new office and laboratory facilities. This will facilitate the development of sustainable mining and the circular economy to respond to the challenges of climate change, the green transition and digitalisation.The solution will replace the old building, which has problems with indoor air quality. The problems have forced GTK Mintec to operate in temporary facilities. The Ministerial Finance Committee decided on the Government’s share of €11 million on 9 September 2021. The final decision of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy is still needed. In addition to this share, GTK intends to invest €4 million in the laboratory’s research equipment and the development of digitalisation. The construction work will start next Spring, and the facilities will be ready for moving in by the autumn of 2023.”The decision supports the goal of creating a well-functioning and sustainable battery cluster in Finland. The circular economy is becoming an increasingly important theme as the world is focusing on mitigating the climate change and striving to decrease the use of fossil fuels. This news is also important to Outokumpu, as the number of personnel is expected to increase from the present 40 person-years to 60 by 2025,” says Mika Lintilä, the Minister of Economic Affairs.“This decision will help make GTK Mintec a world-leading pilot testing and research platform for circular economy and mineral processing. We will increase our research capacity and competences to be able to offer environmentally friendly solutions in the areas of circular economy, battery minerals and water management,” says Jouko Nieminen, Head of Unit, Circular Economy Solutions at GTK.The building developer of the project is Senate Properties, a company responsible for premises owned by the state of Finland. To support the design work, Senate Properties and GTK carried out an impact assessment together to identify all the things that may be affected by the facilities.“This is not only about facilities. When we renew our facilities, we are also developing our operations and processes at the same time. When we understand all the impacts that the facilities can have, we can reach the best possible end result,” says Sonja Nybonn, Account Manager at Senate Properties.GTK Mintec, GTK’s minerals and circular economy research infrastructure in Outokumpu, is a unique mineralogy and beneficiation technology laboratory and pilot-scale test plant for mineral processing in Europe. GTK Mintec belongs to the Outokumpu Sustainable Mining Solutions Hub and the North Karelia scientific community and is a part of the new Otaniemi Circular Raw Materials Hub research infrastructure.Further information
Kimmo Tiilikainen, Director General, [email protected], +358 29 503 2200
Jouko Nieminen, Head of Unit, Circular Economy Solutions, [email protected], +358 29 503 2180

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — Finland needs more work-based and education-based immigration to help companies find enough experts and to strengthen Finland’s vitality and public finances. The roadmap for education-based and work-based immigration is a long-term action plan to achieve the objectives set for immigration of specialists, entrepreneurs, researchers and students.The roadmap adopted by the Government in its budget session compiles measures to make Finland an attractive country to work and study, where the immigration process is easy and seamless. The aim is to significantly improve Finland’s position in the global competition for international talents and students. In particular, responding to the labour shortage in the leading high-tech growth sectors requires that experts are sought beyond the Finnish borders. The Government’s objective is to at least double work-based immigration from its current level by 2030. At the same time, the number of new foreign students should triple to 15,000 students a year, with the aim that 75% of them stay in Finland for work after graduation. Digital service paths make it easier to move to FinlandSuccess in achieving these goals requires seamless digital service paths for both employers and skilled workers. All services provided by the authorities and other services supporting the integration of skilled workers and their families will be linked together to make it easier for them to enter and settle in Finland. The aim is to have the best immigration experience in the world.  Clarifying and digitalising residence permit processes and other public services makes entering the country easy.                         Service portals for employers and employees and regional Talent Hub networks will match workers with suitable work.  International recruitment services for companies will facilitate the hiring of foreign experts.English-language schools and daycare centres and programmes for spouses will help the families settle in Finland. High-quality education programmes focusing on working life and mentoring programmes offered by higher education institutions will help foreign researchers and students to establish themselves in Finland and will open doors to Finnish networks for them. The needs for education-based and work-based immigration in regions and sectors will be better identified by developing knowledge-based management and foresight. Smooth process for entering the country and becoming part of society– The roadmap for education-based and work-based immigration provides us with long-term tools to create a receptive and non-discriminatory working life that offers attractive career opportunities. The aim is to have a positive immigration experience and for immigrants to have a good, safe and easy everyday life as equal and active members of society. At the same time, we will enable employers to find skilled workers from abroad, says Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen.– We must make better use of the expertise of international talents in creating new growth and vitality. Increasing the number of foreign students and ensuring that more of them stay in Finland will support the development of our higher education institutions and the internationalisation of our companies, says Minister of Science and Culture Antti Kurvinen.A large number of experts have prepared the roadmapIn addition to private individuals, representatives of ministries, regional and local state administration, labour market organisations, companies, municipal and regional organisations as well as higher education institutions, other educational institutions and research organisations have participated in the preparation of the roadmap. In autumn, measures to achieve the objectives of the Government’s sustainability roadmap for higher education institutions will be prepared together with such institutions.– We would like to thank the large group of people involved in the preparation of the roadmap. A common view on the objectives and measures will promote education-based and work-based immigration and the receptiveness of our society in a significant way, the ministers say. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — In its budget session, the Government allocated additional funding for bringing down the maximum waiting times for access to care. The maximum waiting times for access to primary healthcare will be shortened from the current three months to seven days. This means that access to non-urgent care must be arranged within seven days of the assessment of the need for care.The new legislation on quicker access to care will enter into force during this government term.For the purpose of shortening the maximum waiting times, a spending limits provision of EUR 50 million will at this point be made for 2023 in addition to the funding already included in the General Government Fiscal Plan. A decision on the entire funding will be made in connection with the General Government Fiscal Plan for 2023–2026. The date of submitting the government proposal on the maximum waiting times for access to care will be decided by the end of October 2021. Non-urgent care is provided by health centres. Certain maximum waiting times have been set for access to care. If the health centre or hospital cannot provide care within the time limit prescribed by law, they must procure it elsewhere. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — On Thursday 9 September, the Government issued a resolution on an update of the action plan implementing the hybrid strategy to manage the COVID-19 epidemic. The objective of the revised action plan is to reopen society and keep it open. According to the action plan, immediate measures will be taken to gradually dismantle the restrictions and recommendations. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health will issue a circular to specify how the gradual implementation of the action plan will be carried out.The aim is to dismantle the nationwide restrictions and comprehensive recommendations when at least 80 per cent of people over 12 years of age have been vaccinated twice or they have been offered the opportunity to get vaccinated twice.The revised action plan will remain in force until further notice and it will be updated as necessary.Local measures to control the epidemic – phases of the epidemic and the related recommendations to be abandoned In future, further spread of the COVID-19 epidemic will be prevented primarily through local and regional measures.  As a rule, society will be kept open and there will be no restrictions on any activities in society. If restrictions are needed to suppress a cluster of infections, they will be targeted very carefully. As the last resort, municipalities, hospital districts and the Regional State Administrative Agencies could impose very carefully selected, targeted and short-term restrictions on high-risk events and activities. The action plan emphasises that the primacy of the best interests of the child will continue to be implemented in all decision-making. In addition, any restrictions should treat different sectors as equitably as possible.  If the epidemiological situation suddenly deteriorated, more extensive nationwide measures could be reintroduced.  In such a case, the Government would issue a resolution on the adoption of the national emergency brake mechanism.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — The Government supports a new EU-level supervisory system to fight money laundering and terrorist financing.On 20 July, the European Commission adopted a package of legislative proposals aimed at reforming the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing. The package is based on the action plan on this issue adopted last year.The Commission aims tointroduce common EU rules to prevent money laundering and counter terrorist financingcreate an EU-level supervisory systemestablish a support and coordination mechanism for Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs)strengthen the international dimension of EU policy.Further development of regulatory framework neededThe Government supports the Commission’s objectives of harmonising and developing EU money laundering rules. The Government considers it important to ensure that the rules comply with EU data protection legislation and respect fundamental and human rights.An EU-level supervisory system would complement the current system where national authorities monitor compliance with the obligations related to the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing. A new EU authority would also be tasked with developing cooperation between the national FIUs. In addition, the Commission proposes the development of measures applicable to high-risk third countries.Government supports a new EU authorityThe Government supports the idea of establishing a new EU authority. The authority would be responsible for EU-level supervision. The authority would have direct powers to supervise the most high-risk cross-border financial entities, and would also coordinate the activities of the supervisors of the Member States. In addition, a support and coordination mechanism for FIUs would be established in connection with the authority.The Government submitted a Union communication to Parliament on the matter on Thursday 9 September. A Union communication is used in EU affairs whenever there is a matter concerning an EU legislative proposal or other proposal that falls within Parliament’s competence.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi