English programmes at Europe Forum 2020

The Europe Forum starts August 27 2020, with the theme ‘Finland in the EU for 25 years’. At this two-day opening event of the political season in Finland, decision-makers and the public will be treated to a high-class programme and speakers.  This year, the forum will be implemented for the general public through the Internet.

At the opening of the Europe Forum, Germany’s Minister of State for Europe Michael Roth will give his video greeting. Alongside him Ambassador of Austria to Finland, His Excellency Maximillian Hennig and other important speakers, such as Minna Arve, the mayor of Turku.

On Thursday 27 August, Europe Forum welcomes two programmes held in English.

“Heading towards the future of EU” is the slogan of Europe Forum 2020. One perspective is discussed on Thursday afternoon when the British Embassy in Helsinki organizes the discussion “Europe in 2030-Greener, wealthier and healthier?” moderated by Tom Dodd, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Finland. The panelists are Terhi Lehtonen, State Secretary for the Ministry of the Environment Marc Palahí, Director of the European Forest Institute and Jan Wahlberg, Climate Ambassador for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Current conversation will discuss what role green recovery should play in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. How can Europe return to a path of sustainable growth? Following the opening remarks from Ambassador Tom Dodd, there’ll be a conversation on the links between the economy, climate change and the role of international organisations. The audience will be able to ask questions via a message wall found on the website, via Europe Forum App that is available also in English, or in Twitter using #europeforum.

Soon after Finnish Institute of International Affairs adds the future aspect together with the forum’s theme of Finland’s quarter decade journey in the EU with the discussion: “25 years of membership: Austria, Finland and Sweden in the EU”.

Austria, Finland and Sweden joined the European Union during times when decisive steps were taken towards an even closer Union. As member states, they have lived through the adoption of the euro, eastern enlargement as well as the severe EU crises of the past decade including the Brexit. What was the key rationale of their membership in 1995? Has there been major changes in their general approach towards the EU? What do Austria, Finland and Sweden wish to achieve in the EU in the future?

Programme Director Juha Jokela from Finnish Institute of International Affairs moderates the conversation. The speakers are Austrian Ambassador to Finland, Maximilian Hennig, Director Göran von Sydow from SIEPS, and Senior Research Fellow Saila Heinikoski from FIIA.

The programme will also be available afterwards to watch via YouTube.