Discussion on the future of the European Union underway — Minister Sarkkinen to participate in the discussion in Kuopio on 1 November
What does the future of the European Union look like? What solutions does a social Europe offer? What would be socially just climate measures? What are the future prospects for young people’s employment, wellbeing and inclusion? Come meet Minister of Social Affairs and Health Hanna Sarkkinen and discuss a socially sustainable Europe at Piispantalo, Piispankatu 8, Kuopio, on Monday 1 November 2021 at 11.15–13.30.
The event will also discuss, for example, how the EU supports non-discrimination, gender equality and diversity among all people, how the EU supports the wellbeing of Europe’s peripheral regions, what young people are talking about and what concerns they have and how they would like to exert influence in society. The discussion will be held in Finnish.
Minister Sarkkinen and students from the University of Eastern Finland will discuss the social future of Europe. Other participants in the discussion will include Maria Kokkonen from the European Commission, Paula Saikkonen from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare and Pauliina Ryökäs from the Board of the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland. Helena Länsimies from the Mieliteko programme (ESF) will bring a perspective of people living in Eastern Finland to the discussion.
The event will be organised in cooperation with the Regional Council of Pohjois-Savo, Europe Direct Kuopio and the University of Eastern Finland. The event will be open to all. To participate in the event, please register your attendance by 31 October using this form (in Finnish). The event will also be available as webcast, and it will be possible to submit questions during the webcast. We welcome everybody to participate actively in the discussion. After the discussion, the Europe Direct Kuopio information point will be opened at the head office of the Regional Council of Pohjois-Savo.
This autumn and winter, Finnish ministers will tour the country to listen to people’s ideas and hopes for the future of Europe. The citizens’ messages will be passed on as part of an EU-level reflection on what kind of Europe we want to build. The “We are Europe” discussion events are part of the Conference on the Future of Europe.
Inquiries:
Jiri Sironen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Social Affairs and Health, MSAH, tel. +358 40 4509 077, [email protected]
Päivi Saarimaa, Secretary to the Minister of Social Affairs and Health, MSAH, tel. +358 2951 63535 (requests for interviews with the Minister)
Juuli Hakulinen, Specialist, MSAH, tel. +358 295 163 651, [email protected]
Elina Häkkinen, Specialist, MSAH, tel. +358 295 163 119, [email protected]
Jessica Gustafsson, Communications Specialist, MSAH, tel. +358 295 163690, [email protected]