Through the live page, you can also access the virtual Europe Market where the programme organisers of the forum present themselves.

The Europe Forum is a national discussion forum arising from cooperation between NGOs and the public authorities, in which anyone can participate in discussions with politicians, decision-makers and experts.

Finland has been in the EU for 25 years – discussion about Europe is now more important than ever

This year, the event is focused around Finland’s 25-year membership in the EU, the Green Deal and foreign policy as well as NGOs and young people. At this two-day opening event of the political season in Finland, decision-makers and the public will participate in high-class discussions that will feature speakers such as European Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen and Minister of Finance Matti Vanhanen.

Over the two days, the programme provided by youth organisations will address topics such as the global role of the EU and the EU’s relationships with China and Africa. European Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen will also participate in the EU Youth Conference and the review of its results.

On the economy and science day of Europe Forum Turku on Thursday 27 August, the forum will examine the impacts of the Green Deal as well as the state of the Baltic Sea and the challenges in the region in particular. Thursday’s programme will also feature discussion on the health cluster of Turku as the engine of European research, safe information networks at the heart of sustainable digital growth as well as fast fashion and the EU’s role in promoting corporate social responsibility.

A discussion moderated by Programme Director of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs Juha Jokela will address the relationship of Finland, Sweden and Austria, which joined the European Union in 1995, with the European Union in the future.

Politics and science will meet on Friday 28 August, when the programme will particularly examine Finland’s 25-year journey in the EU and also look towards the future: what kind of Europe does Finland want? Where are the EU and Finland heading? In this debate, European Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen will be exchanging thoughts with former European Commissioners Jyrki Katainen and Erkki Liikanen. Labour market organisations will be discussing Finland’s next 25-year period in the EU.

The participants in the seminar ‘Wealth and stability – policy on Europe as part of Finland’s foreign and security politics’ will include Minister of Finance Matti Vanhanen, European Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen, MEP Alviina Alametsä, Chair of JEF Finland Iiris Asunmaa, Director General of the European Union Military Staff Esa Pulkkinen, Director Mika Aaltola, Director-General for Defence Industry and Space Timo Pesonen as well as MEPs Ilkka Kanerva, Mika Niikko and Erkki Tuomioja, among others. The seminar will be opened by Minister Pertti Salolainen. EU correspondent for YLE Susanna Turunen will host the seminar.

Attendance of media representatives

During the Europe Forum on 27 August and 28 August, the media is welcome to take part in the event either on the spot in Turku or via live stream at www.europefoorum.fi. Representatives of the media are asked to sign up in advance by contacting [email protected] if they would like to take part in the forum on the spot.

Participation in the Europe Forum on the spot is limited and the instructions issued by authorities regarding mass events will be adhered to by securing safety distances. The participants will also be offered face masks and other products for taking care of hygiene. As the situation of coronavirus evolves, guidance is specified as needed.

The programme and discussions of the Europe Forum can be accessed free of charge via live stream at www.europeforum.fi.