The Human Rights Committee of the Council of Finnish Academies, in collaboration with Aalto University, is organizing an event titled “International personnel in Finland – challenges and perspectives”. We would like to invite you to join the discussion on how we can work together to create a safe and welcoming environment within universities and in Finland. The event can be attended either in person or online. The language of the event is English.
Career opportunities for international talent is currently a topic of rigorous public debate, with questions surrounding whether people with an international background can or want to stay in Finland long-term. With the ageing population and decreasing number of people actively employed, economic growth in Finland is based on increasing productivity. In practice, this means new technologies, new ideas, innovations, and education. Finland’s future depends on research, education, innovation – and integrating international talent.
Finnish Science Academies’ Risto Pelkonen Human Rights Award 2025 will be opened for applications at the event. The award can be granted for active efforts in promoting freedom of science, academic freedom or human rights of academics. Its purpose is to increase the visibility of human rights issues in the scientific world and to highlight actions for scientific freedom. In 2025, the award will be granted for the fourth time, and the award ceremony will be held in May.
For more information and registration: Link to Aalto University’s event page
Programme
Opening
Kristiina Mäkelä, Provost, Aalto University
Experiences from international community – Interview of international faculty
Interviewer: Emilia Palonen, Research Programme Director in Datafication / Associate Professor in Political Science, University of Helsinki
Interviewees: Ali Tehrani, Associate Professor, Textile Chemistry & Julia Valle Noronha, Assistant Professor,Fashion Design, Aalto University
Towards a safe and welcoming Finland – Panel discussion
Panel host: Marius Anger, Chair of Aalto Doctoral Researchers
Migri perspective – Elina Nurmi, Director of Reception Unit, Migri
City perspective – Takura Matswetu, Head of International Talent & Softlanding team, Migration Affairs Unit, Business Helsinki and doctoral student at Aalto School of Science
University perspective – Tiia Tuomi, HR Director, Helsinki University
Closing and Finnish Science Academies’ Risto Pelkonen Human Rights Award – Call for nomination
Liisa Laakso, Professor, Chair of the Human Rights Committee, Council of Finnish Academies
Get-together – networking opportunity over coffee and pulla