Hundreds of Decision-Makers, Experts and Citizens Took Part in the Europe Forum

The Europe Forum was organised in Turku for the third time on 27 August and 28 August. Over 30 high-quality sets of programme were organised during the two days. In addition to the decision-makers and experts on the spot, 1500 unique viewers took part in the Europe Forum through the live streams. The next event will take place 25–27 August 2021.

– Despite exceptional circumstances, the Europe Forum took place for the third time, and this is very significant. Genuine civil dialogue is possible also in exceptional situations when there is a shared will and we find the means together. In particular, I would like to thank the programme organisers that made the high-quality discussions of the Europe Forum possible yet again, says Mayor of Turku Minna Arve.

Participation in the Europe Forum on the spot was limited and the instructions issued by authorities regarding mass events were adhered to by securing safety distances and offering participants face masks and other products for taking care of hygiene.

As before, the forum was accessible to anyone through live streams online and later in the form of recordings. The public also had an opportunity to make comments and ask questions through the event page of the forum and through the mobile app.

“Finland-EU-Russia – the challenges”. Moderator: Professor Emeritus Heikki Paloheimo. Speakers: Minister of Finance Matti Vanhanen, Director of Research Hanna Smith, European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats, Researcher Veera Laine, Finnish Institute of International Affairs: Jaska Poikonen / City of Turku

Finland’s 25-year membership in the EU as the main theme

This year, the event was focused around Finland’s 25-year membership in the EU, the Green Deal and foreign policy as well as NGOs and young people. On Friday 28 August, European Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen exchanged thoughts in a debate with former European Commissioners Jyrki Katainen and Erkki Liikanen. Over the two days, the programme provided by youth organisations addressed topics such as the global role of the EU and the EU’s relationships with China and Africa.

The entire programme of the event will be available as YouTube recordings via the pages of Europe Forum at www.europeforum.fi.

Europe Forum 2020 press images: https://bit.ly/2Ef9Z2O

MEP-Panel of the EU Youth Conference. Photo: Anna Mattila / City of Turku