Current affairs

Ready to take your Finnish to the next level? We look at three little volumes that will surely expand your Finnish vocabulary – and it will be practically painless.

Putting the hair back into metal since 2001, this band has been making a splash among glitter and hairspray cognoscenti in the British Isles since its first album came out. Following the UK release of their second album

This October witnessed the book launch of Professor Henrik Meinander’s book A History of Finland, and the occasion was celebrated in London as well as in Glasgow. “The main reason to writing this book was the starting point that written histories offer to public conversation”, said Prof. Meinander in his foreword at the London launch.

Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja gave a speech at the London School of Economics on the role of the European Union in international issues. According to Minister Tuomioja, the leadership shown by the EU is weaker today than it has been at best, certainly in relation to what is needed. In his speech he also set out prospects for Nordic co-operation.

The multiple sounds of the World Design Capital 2012 can now be listened online. Thirteen songs reveal an intriguing music scene in which the high level of expertise and diversity of music produced can, considering the size of the city, be considered surprising even on a global scale.

Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja will visit London on 7-8 November.

Just short of twenty African journalists made visits to key elements of Finland’s success: education, good governance, crisis management as well as water and forestry expertise. The purpose of the media visit was to ponder together the ingredients that give rise to sustainable development.

World's largest skill-oriented competition for young people came to an end last Sunday in London. TeamFinland, the national team, celebrated at the end with 5 silver and 3 bronze medals!

Four days, 46 skill areas, 50 countries, 960 competitors and 150 000 spectators. World's largest international skills competition begins in London this Wednesday. The Finnish national team, taking part in the games between 5th and 8th October, is geared up for success. Young Finns will participate in 40 skill areas ranging from mechanical engineering design, fashion technology and floristry all the way to electronics, landscape gardening and IT software solutions.

According to President of the Republic Tarja Halonen, the UN Millennium Declaration and Millennium Development Goals have proved to be effective tools in reduction of extreme poverty. “The work must continue with enhanced determination,” she said in her speech at the UN General Assembly in New York on 21 September 2011. The guiding principles of the United Nations Charter – peace and security, human rights and development – have served well for decades.