UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations Jorge Sampaio visits Finland

Press release 225/2011
5 September 2011

Jorge Sampaio, Former President of Portugal and UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, is visiting Finland on 4–7 September, at the invitation of President of the Republic Tarja Halonen. Aside from the President of the Republic, Sampaio will meet with Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja and Minister for International Development Heidi Hautala during his visit. The programme also includes a meeting with President Martti Ahtisaari as well as discussions with representatives from the Ministry of Employment and the Economy, the Finnish Parliament, researchers, business and industry, and civil society organisations.

The Alliance of Civilizations aims to promote dialogue across cultures and religions, and especially to build bridges between the Western and Islamic worlds. The core areas of the Alliance’s work are youth, the media, education and immigration.

Sampaio’s visit to Finland includes three public events, when there is an opportunity to ask questions.

On Monday, a lecture and discussion on the theme Alliance and the Mediterranean World are arranged together with the Anna Lindh Foundation on 5 September from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. This event takes place at Metsätalo, Unioninkatu 40.

On Tuesday, 6 September, a lecture and discussion on the theme Alliance and Youth, arranged jointly with the UN Association of Finland and Finnish Youth Cooperation – Allianssi, will be held from 3:00 to 4:30 pm. This event takes place at Nuorten toimintakeskus Happi, Sörnäisten rantatie 31.

Also on Tuesday, 6 September, a lecture and discussion on the theme Alliance and Migration will be held at Cultural Centre Caisa, Mikonkatu 17, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

Additional information: Finland’s contact person for the Alliance, Ambassador Ilari Rantakari, mobile tel. +358 40 709 4245, [email protected], www.unaoc.org