Current affairs

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and UNHCR are holding the first ministerial conference on humanitarian assistance and internal displacement in West Africa. The conference will be held in Abuja, Nigeria, between the 5th and 7th of July, 2011. Finland is financing the whole 420 000 USD conference.

Hosting the Open European sailing championships puts Helsinki firmly on the map of leading European venues for yachting events.

Finland’s 36th and 37th national parks were established in early 2011, just in time for the arrival of the warm season: a new park encompassing unspoilt forest habitats just a stone’s throw from Helsinki; and an extensive marine park around the archipelagos of the Bothnian Sea along the west coast.

Monocle magazine’s message is clear: if you want to know what it takes to make a city both liveable and lively, Helsinki is first stop!

The task of forming a majority government based on the outcome of the April 17th parliamentary elections was beginning to look impossible, but a six-party coalition government and a 100-page government programme have now been created, as proof of Finland’s political pragmatism.

The new Government announced it will pursue an active, initiative-taking foreign policy, in cooperation with the President. Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen emphasised that his Government’s policy on Europe is positive but also determined and realistic.

A total of 23 Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences have taken part in a wide-ranging international survey on how satisfied international degree students and exchange students are with their educational experience in Finland.

How does Finland’s renowned education system mix with the worldwide International Baccalaureate programme when the same school utilises both? We visit Ressu Comprehensive in Helsinki to find out.

For a breath of fresh air and a taste of traditional Finland, hop into a wooden rowboat 12 metres long.

The second Millennium Youth Camp for talented young people aged 16-19 will start on 11 June and run until 17 June. MY Campers will be introduced to a number of Finnish companies and higher educational institutions. The MY Camp programme includes project work carried out in small multi-national groups and the opportunity to meet Stephen Furber, one of the 2010 Millennium Technology Prize Laureates. Millennium Youth Camp is a unique happening.