The autumn season of politics starts again from Turku at the Europe Forum – with top decision-makers and experts discussing a changing Europe under the leadership of Prime Minister Orpo

The autumn season of Finnish politics, the economy and science starts for the sixth time in Turku when decision-makers, experts and scientists meet in Turku to discuss at the Europe Forum from 30 August to 1 September 2023. For three days, the focus will be on security policy and the economy, as well as the green transition and its tools. Among other things, Jessika Roswall, Minister of European Affairs of Sweden, and Anders Adlerkreutz, Minister of European Affairs and Ownership Steering in Finland, will meet in the speeches.

As the number one arena for EU debate in Finland, it will also invite the public to participate in joint discussions on a changing Europe. Register at Lyyti-form, if you wish to participate on the spot in the programme sections to be held at Turku Art Academy and Conservatory (Linnankatu 60).  

You can also attend the event via a virtual event page without pre-registration.  

The Speakers’ Corner public event, which was organised for the first time last year, will be held at Turku Market Square on Friday 1 September 1. from 12:00 to 17:00 and does not require prior registration.  

All events of the Europe Forum are free of charge and will be interpreted in English (excluding Speakers’ Corner in Market Square). All discussions will be recorded for later viewing on the YouTube channel.   

The theme for 2023 is Changing Europe  

This year, the speakers of Europe Forum will include decision-makers and experts from the top of science, politics and the economy: Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Anders Adlercreutz, Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen, Minister of Science and Culture Sari Multala, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah Professor Alexander Stubb, Governor of the Bank of Finland Olli Rehn, and the Mayor of Turku Minna Arve.   

The Forum will also be attended by Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski and Maria Tomak, Head of the Crimea Platform Department. Out of Members of the European Parliament, the Forum will include Ville Niinistö, Sirpa Pietikäinen, Elsi Katainen, Nils Torvalds, Henna Virkkunen, Petri Sarvamaa and Alviina Alametsä. In addition, the Europe Forum will see researchers, professors, members of youth organisations, as well as experts from various fields.  

Under the main theme “Changing Europe”, the self-government of Åland and Crimea will be discussed in Turku, on Wednesday. On Thursday, the discussions will focus on the green transition, as well as the means of saving the Baltic Sea: green innovations, infrastructure investments, maritime corridors, and energy markets. Also, the differences and common features of local agreement in Finland and Sweden will be compared. The Friday programme will include an interview with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, a discussion between Ministers of European Affairs Adlercreutz and Roswall, transatlantic relations, geopolitics, trade, the green transition, and the work programme of the next European Commission.   

The entire programme of the Forum and its speakers can be found at europeforum.fi/en/programme/.  

Speakers’ Corner invites everyone to Turku Market Square 

The theme of Speakers’ Corner, which was launched at last year’s forum, will be “Europe NOW” this year. The programme will be held this time at Turku Market Square on Friday 1 September from 12:00 to 17:00. Speakers’ Corner is open to everyone, and no advance registration is required.    

The programme will include discussions on the European Year of Skills and on how the green and digital transitions will open up new opportunities for people and the EU economy. Speakers will include MEPs Ville Niinistö, Sirpa Pietikäinen, Petri Sarvamaa, Henna Virkkunen and Nils Torvalds as well as Parliamentary Speaker Jussi Halla-aho and President of Sitra Atte Jääskeläinen. Speakers’ Corner will be hosted by Markku Jokisipilä, Head of the Centre for Parliamentary Studies at the University of Turku.    

As with all Europe Forum events, you can also participate in Speakers’ Corner in livestreams via the virtual event page.