Event

Europe Forum Turku

30 Aug–1 Sep 2018

#europeforum #turku

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Why?

The majority of Finns consider the European Union membership a good thing and think that Finland has benefited from it. Cooperation between the EU countries, the union’s positive impact on economic growth, and the new jobs created by the EU make Finns keep the doors open to Europe. At the same time, almost a third of Finns regard the future of the EU with suspicion.

Finland and the European Union are in the middle of changes. These changes have increased the pressures to develop European cooperation in many fields. This raises a question: What will the EU look like in the future?

In the near future, there will be a need for broad and plural, future-focused civil dialogue on the position of Finland in Europe and the European Union. In order for this dialogue to be be possible, we need an open and fresh mind, a constructively critical attitude, and a willingness to offer new prospects for the development of Europe and Finland. This requires correct information about situations and possible solutions. The need for discussion is not only temporary, but permanent.

Finland lacks a collective platform of different social groups and citizes for EU operators’ public reciprocal discussion, and EU dialogue between a Finnish audience and Finnish policymakers. Relative to Finland, the European Union has a significant role in solving e.g. economy, legislation, immigration, and environment questions.

What?

The Europe Forum in Turku is an event for discussion around the future of Finland and Europe. The event promotes open, science-based dialogue between citizens and policymakers.

The Europe Forum is a platform for civil dialogue about Finland’s current and future roles in Europe and the European Union from a long-term perspective. In the Europe Forum, people from different areas of life get to meet each other: decision-making politicians, non-governmental organisations, economic life, labour market organisations, specialists, and citizens.

Seminars, panel discussions, question times, and civil dialogue will provide a base for constructive dialogue about Europe and the meaning and development of the European Union. Encounters in the Europe Forum in Turku narrow the gap between desicion making and the everyday life of citizens.

The Europe Forum is organised by the Parliament, Prime Minister’s Office, Representation of Finland to the European Commission, City of Turku, University of Turku, Turku University Foundation, Åbo Akademi University, Åbo Akademi University Foundation, Regional Council of Southwest Finland, Turku Science Park, Turku Chamber of Commerce, European Parliament Information Office Finland, Bank of Finland, Ministry of the Interior, Europe Information, Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK), Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK), Finnish Confederation of Professionals (STTK), The Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff in Finland (Akava), Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK), and Schuman Society.

Speakers/guests

  • Vice President of the European Commission Jyrki Katainen
  • Minister for European Affairs, Culture and Sport Sampo Terho
  • Finnish Members of the European Parliament
  • The Grand Committee

Explore the whole programme of the event: