The Europe Forum invites everyone to discuss a changing Europe, in Turku 30.8.–1.9. 

The Europe Forum will be held in Turku from 30 August to 1 September 2023 for the sixth time. The main arena of EU debate in Finland invites experts, decision-makers, and the public to participate in joint discussions on a changing Europe, on site or online at https://event.prospectumlive.com/europeforum/. 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. 

This year, the three-day event will discuss security policy and the economy, as well as the green transition and its tools. The Europe Forum’s diverse programme sections have been built by over 40 different organisers, who offer different perspectives on a changing Europe.

There are over 35 events and around 150 speakers.

“The debate on the future of the European Union will heat up, as Finland and other countries are preparing for the European Parliament elections next spring. We are pleased that an interesting group of programme organisers and guests are gathering again in Turku, to have important discussions,” says Matti Niemi, Chair of the Eurooppa Foorumi Turussa ry association.

The theme for 2023 is Changing Europe

This year, the Europe Forum discussions will be participated by 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 Defence Antti Häkkänen, 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 is also attended by Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski and Maria Tomak, Head of the Crimea Platform Department at the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Members of the European Parliament participating in the discussions will include Ville Niinistö, Sirpa Pietikäinen, Miapetra Kumpula-Natri, Elsi Katainen, Nils Torvalds, Henna Virkkunen, and Alviina Almetsä. 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, 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 www.europeforum.fi/en.

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 and Parliamentary Speaker Jussi Halla-aho and the 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 at https://event.prospectumlive.com/europeforum.

Registration for Europe Forum programmes is open

This year, the Europe Forum will be held at the Turku Arts Academy’s and Turku Conservatory’s facilities at the address Linnankatu 54–60 Turku, and on the virtual event platform online. The Speakers’ Corner can be found on Friday 1 September in the middle of Turku Market Square. 

The public can participate in the Europe Forum panels and on-site discussions by registering in advance, at Lyyti. The number of seats is limited, and they are distributed in the order of registration. Participation in the Speakers’ Corner public event at the Market Square does not require registration.

All Europe Forum events are free of charge and can also be attended live via the virtual event page. The programmes are interpreted in English, and questions and comments can be sent via the event platform chat. Participation in the virtual event does not require registration. All discussions will be recorded and can be watched on the YouTube channel.