{"id":13984,"date":"2026-08-24T13:16:05","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T10:16:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/europeforum.fi\/?p=13984"},"modified":"2026-08-24T13:16:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T10:16:05","slug":"europe-forum-starts-on-wednesday-there-is-still-time-to-join-the-most-interesting-discussions-of-early-autumn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/europeforum.fi\/en\/blog\/2026\/08\/24\/europe-forum-starts-on-wednesday-there-is-still-time-to-join-the-most-interesting-discussions-of-early-autumn\/","title":{"rendered":"Europe Forum starts on Wednesday \u2013 there is still time to join the most interesting discussions of early autumn"},"content":{"rendered":"

Turku will soon be filled with topical discussions, new\u202fperspectives\u202fand inspiring encounters. Europe Forum, organised for the ninth time, will once again bring together decision-makers,\u202fexperts\u202fand citizens on 26\u201328 August 2026. More than 1,500 participants have already registered to attend on site \u2013 and there is still time for you to join! Registration is open at \u202f<\/span><\/b>www.europeforum.fi<\/span><\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/b>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The impressive programme of the three-day event, which is open to everyone and free of charge, invites participants to take part in discussions on the future of Finland and Europe under the theme \u201cValues, innovation and security as the foundation of the EU\u2019s success\u201d.<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Europe Forum highlights questions of security,\u202fsustainability\u202fand the economy \u2013 topics that are particularly important at a time when stability and cooperation can no longer be taken for granted. The programme includes more than 50 events and 200 speakers.<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 Europe Forum has grown into Finland\u2019s leading arena for discussion on Europe and the EU, and Turku offers a wonderful setting for the event. What makes the forum special is that high-level expert discussion is combined with an open city event: the events are free of charge, and the discussion is brought to places where people move around. This year, I am especially looking forward to the discussion on what kind of Europe will be built during the EU\u2019s next funding period, what issues we as Finland want to emphasise in the EU, and what role cities and regions will play in this whole, says Mayor of Turku\u202f <\/span>Piia Elo<\/span><\/b>.<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013 The number of registered participants shows that the EU and how we promote our interests there are of great interest. The latest Eurobarometer sends the same message: according to it, a record-high 76 per cent of Finns believe that EU membership is good for Finland, says\u202f<\/span>Matti Anttonen<\/span><\/b>, Chair of Europe Forum Turku.<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Topical policy outlines and future perspectives will be presented by, among others, Prime Minister\u202f<\/span>Petteri Orpo<\/span><\/b>, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission\u202f<\/span>Henna Virkkunen<\/span><\/b>, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering\u202f<\/span>Joakim Strand<\/span><\/b>,\u202f<\/span>Timo Pesonen<\/span><\/b>, Director-General of the European Commission\u2019s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space,\u202f<\/span>Hiski\u202fHaukkala<\/span><\/b>, Director of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, and\u202f<\/span>Anna-Kaisa Itkonen<\/span><\/b>, European Commission Spokesperson for Energy and Climate Action. Members of the European Parliament arriving in Turku include\u202f<\/span>Mika Aaltola<\/span><\/b>,\u202f<\/span>Li Andersson<\/span><\/b>,\u202f<\/span>Eero\u00a0Hein\u00e4luoma<\/span><\/b>,\u202f<\/span>Anna-Maja Henriksson<\/span><\/b>,\u202f<\/span>Ville Niinist\u00f6<\/span><\/b>,\u202f<\/span>Maria\u00a0Ohisalo<\/span><\/b>,\u202f<\/span>Sirpa Pietik\u00e4inen<\/span><\/b>,\u202f<\/span>Aura Salla<\/span><\/b>,\u202f<\/span>Pekka\u00a0Toveri<\/span><\/b>\u202fand\u202f<\/span>Sebastian Tynkkynen<\/span><\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Eurooppa-foorumin<\/span>Register to attend on site or take part online<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Finnish and Swedish-language programme sessions will be simultaneously interpreted into English in real time. Recordings of the event will also be available afterwards on YouTube:\u202f<\/span>www.youtube.com\/@eurooppa-foorumi<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This year, the programme on Europe Forum\u2019s Main Stage can also be followed live on\u202f<\/span>Yle Areena<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u202fon\u202fall three event days. The content will be available as a recording for 30 days in the\u202f<\/span>Avoin\u00a0areena<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u202fseries.<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Speakers\u2019 Corner public event invites discussion at\u202fHansakortteli\u202fon 27 August<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Europe Forum also invites the\u202fgeneral public\u202fto take part in Speakers\u2019 Corner, which will be held at\u202f<\/span>Hansatori\u202fin\u202fHansakortteli\u202fon Thursday 27 August from 14.00 to 17.00<\/span><\/b>. Turun Sanomat will also stream the event live on its website.<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The event will feature thoughts from Members of the European Parliament\u202f<\/span>Ville Niinist\u00f6<\/span><\/b>,\u202f<\/span>Li Andersson<\/span><\/b>\u202fand\u202f<\/span>Aura Salla<\/span><\/b>, among others. Young people\u2019s views on the future of Europe will be presented by\u202f<\/span>Eetu Hakulinen<\/span><\/b>, Chair of P-klubi, and\u202f<\/span>Alma Jokinen<\/span><\/b>, Finnish EU Youth Delegate of\u202fNuorisoala\u202fry. The role of the media as a pillar of a functioning democracy will be discussed by\u202f<\/span>Rami Nieminen<\/span><\/b>, Editor-in-Chief of Turun Sanomat,\u202f<\/span>Laura Saarikoski<\/span><\/b>, Chief Ombudsman of the Helsingin Sanomat Foundation, and radio journalist\u202f<\/span>Harri Moisio<\/span><\/b>. The event will be moderated by\u202f<\/span>Markku\u202fJokisipil\u00e4<\/span><\/b>, Chair of the Board of the Schuman Society, Professor and Director of the Centre for Parliamentary Studies at the University of Turku. The event is open to everyone and free of charge, and no advance registration is\u202frequired. See you in\u202fHansakortteli!<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Quizzes,\u202fmusic\u202fand exercise in connection with Europe Forum<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

In addition to the official programme, this year\u2019s Europe Forum will also feature a more relaxed side programme.<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the forum\u2019s opening day,\u202f<\/span>Wednesday 26 August<\/span><\/b>, the European Commission Representation in Finland invites everyone interested in quizzes to test their knowledge of Europe at neighbourhood restaurant Arvo from 19.00 onwards. At Bar Kuka, starting at 19.30, participants will dive into the world of music and EU themes in a music panel. The panel members are\u202f\u00a0<\/span>Mika Akkanen<\/span><\/b>, Head of International Affairs at the City of Turku;\u202f<\/span>Pieta\u202fP\u00e4iv\u00e4nen<\/span><\/b>, Chair of European Youth of Finland;\u202f<\/span>Samuel Tammekann<\/span><\/b>, Senior Specialist at European Movement Finland; and the panel\u2019s regular member, musician\u202f<\/span>Jori Hulkkonen<\/span><\/b>.<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On\u202f<\/span>Friday 28 August<\/span><\/b>, the Consulate of Sweden in Turku will organise the God\u202fmorgon\u202f\u00c5bo\u202fmorning run. The run starts at 7.30 in front of Turku City Theatre. Participants can join according to their own fitness level, either walking or running, and the route returns to the same place.<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Join us and set your course towards the future of Europe!<\/span><\/i>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Turku will soon be filled with topical discussions, new\u202fperspectives\u202fand inspiring encounters. Europe Forum, organised for the ninth time, will once again bring together decision-makers,\u202fexperts\u202fand citizens on 26\u201328 August 2026. More…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":13974,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[66],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13984","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/europeforum.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13984","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/europeforum.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/europeforum.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/europeforum.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/europeforum.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13984"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/europeforum.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13984\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13991,"href":"https:\/\/europeforum.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13984\/revisions\/13991"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/europeforum.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13974"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/europeforum.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13984"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/europeforum.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13984"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/europeforum.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13984"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

You can attend Europe Forum on site at\u202f<\/span>Turku City Theatre<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u202fand\u202f<\/span>Hansatori<\/span><\/b><\/a>, or online at\u202f<\/span>www.europeforum.fi<\/span><\/a>. The event is open to everyone and free of charge. Registration for the programme sessions at Turku City Theatre is\u202frequired\u202fat\u202f<\/span>www.europeforum.fi<\/span><\/a>. No registration is\u202frequired\u202ffor the Speakers\u2019 Corner public event at\u202fHansatori.<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n