Meet Team Finland’s Lars Backström, Ambassador of Finland to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific

This series includes a quick questionnaire to help you get to know Team Finland's network of people promoting Finland in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. In this edition, we introduce the network’s local chair, Lars Backström, Ambassador of Finland to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

Ambassador Backström speaking at the Hawke EU Centre Ambassador Lecture Series. Photo: University of South Australia

Ambassador Backström’s career in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs spans almost 38 years, with the privilege to serve previously as an ambassador to six other countries, including Thailand and China.

In September 2016, Ambassador Backström’s posting to Canberra started, currently representing Finland in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.

This role comes with the responsibility of chairing the local Team Finland network. Now, let us learn a bit more about the real Ambassador Backström.

Ambassador Backström and his wife Brigitta with Ursula Wikström at the welcome reception for the ActewAGL Classic 2019 in Canberra. Photo: Ladies European Tour

What terrifies you?

“The way we treat our planet.”

If you could turn back time, what would you change in your life?

“I would devote my time to tackling global challenges.”

If you had a choice between two superpowers, being invisible or flying, which would you choose and why?

“Flying - It would save me from cramped economy class seats and minimize my carbon footprint.”

If you could compare yourself with any animal, which would it be and why?

“Arctic tern – they fly by far the longest distances (up to 90,000 km a year) in the animal kingdom. Yes, I like flying.”

There are over 1,000,000 Arctic terns in the world today. Photo: Don Faulkner/Creative Commons

If you could be any character from a childhood fairytale, who would you be and why?

“Aslan the ruler over Narnia. All lions in Narnia are treated with special respect.”

What is an interesting fact about you that nobody knows?

“I have the military rank of Sergeant Major.”

A penguin walks through the door right now wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here?

“The penguin is beaming about his visit to Mexico, where he ended up after hitching a ride on a cruise ship, which stopped in Acapulco. Now he is trying to get back home on a flight operated by the Australian Antarctic Division. The plane should bring him from Canberra via Hobart to Wilkins Aerodrome (66 degrees South and 111 degrees East). Wilkins ice runway is located 4.241 km south of Canberra!”

If you could star in a movie with any famous actor/actress, who would you choose as your co-star?

“Bob Hope – humour prolongs life.”

If you could choose an imaginary friend, who would you choose and why?

“I would choose Albert Einstein. From him I would learn many things about the secrets of our universe. Yes, I like astronomy.”

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

“I wanted to work for the United Nations making the world a better place to live in.”