Europe Forum challenges the citizens to online discussions on the future of Europe – the event begins on Wednesday 25th of August in Turku, Finland

Europe Forum, the 3-day discussion event focusing on science, economy, and politics, is arranged in Turku, Finland on the 25th to 27th of August. The public is invited to engage via the Europe Forum virtual platform, and comment and ask questions using the platform’s chat function. The discussions will be recorded and can be viewed later via YouTube and other channels.

“Turku has always been the most European city of Finland, and internationality in all its meanings a part of our city’s identity. We want to maintain and develop this role of ours, also with the Europe Forum that once again launches the political autumn season. The Forum offers a very high-quality programme with current domestic and European topics. On behalf of the city of Turku, I want to thank all the organizers for your hard work and commitment – despite the challenges caused by the pandemic, the programme is more versatile than ever before”, says the Mayor of Turku Minna Arve.

The Europe Forum is now organised for the fourth time. The event is a national discussion forum based on cooperation between NGOs, businesses and public authorities, initiated by the universities in Turku, playing an important role in the international relations of the City of Turku. Turku universities are strongly involved in the arrangements for the event. As last year, the live participation in the Europe Forum is invitation-based.

In the discussions: fighter procurement, trade relations and views of prominent politicians

Wednesday the 25^th is Science Day, and one of the topics is Finland’s upcoming fighter procurement. The representatives of the countries taking part in the tender procedure – France, Great Britain, Sweden, and United States – join in a panel discussion.

Thursday the 26^th is the Economy Day, when the Secretary-General of the European Commission Ilze Juhansone talks about her views on the competitiveness of the EU, and the trade relations between the US, China, EU, and Finland.

Friday the 27^th, the Politics Day, culminates in a discussion between the Prime Minister Sanna Marin and the opposition party leader Petteri Orpo. The programme also includes a public Parliament of Finland Grand Committee hearing.

Europe Forum is part of the Conference on the Future of Europe, and the themes presented in the Forum are gathered and forwarded to the Conference.

• See the whole programme: https://europeforum.fi/en/programme/
• Read more: The Europe Forum is implemented in a health safe manner in Turku – science, economy and politics provoke discussion in the midst of a pandemic, Europe Forum brings forth young voices in Turku in August

Media participation at the Europe Forum

Representatives of the media are welcome to join the Europe Forum either onsite or online via the virtual event platform. The platform can be freely accessed at https://event.prospectumlive.com/europeforum and via the Forum website https://europeforum.fi/en/europe-forum.

The Europe Forum will have three main venues on top of the virtual platform: the foyer of the Turku City Theatre, Radisson Blu Marina Palace hotel, and the Turku Administrative building.

Media representatives who wish to join the onsite events are required to register beforehand by sending an email to [email protected]. Please state in your email which days and events you wish to participate in. The pre-registration is part of the event’s health security measures. 

As proof of a responsible organization of events, the Europe Forum has been granted the Clean & Safe Turku sign. The planning and production of the Forum will adhere to the latest instructions issued by the authorities, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

>> More information about the health security at Europe Forum: https://europeforum.fi/en/news/the-europe-forum-commits-to-organise-the-event-in-accordance-with-the-criteria-set-for-safe-events/

For more information:

• Anders Blom, Chair of Europe Forum Turku, [email protected], +358 400 523 409
• Communications & Media: Irene Pendolin, City of Turku, [email protected], tel. +358 40 848 6242
• Programme & Practicalities: Gunilla Sjöberg, Aboa Congress & Event, [email protected], tel. +358 40 515 1537
• https://europeforum.fi/en
• Media releases, logos, and photos: https://europeforum.fi/en/media/

Europe Forum on social media:

Twitter: @eurooppafoorumi
Instagram: @eurooppafoorumi
Facebook: Eurooppa-foorumi 2021
#eurooppafoorumi #europeforum

Facts about Europe Forum Turku:

• The Europe Forum is an annual opening of the political season, featuring discussion on the role of Finland in Europe and the European Union. The event was organised for the first time in 2018.
• The Europe Forum provides topical information about the EU and promotes open, science-based dialogue between citizens and decision-makers.
• In 2018, the Europe Forum consisted of 30 events, where almost 2,000 citizens discussed with a hundred experts and influencers. Thousands of people also attended the Europe market events.
• In 2019, the number of programme organizers almost doubled and there were more than 50 separate events over three days. Almost 6,000 attendees discussed with two hundred experts and influencers, both on spot and through the online platform.
• In 2020, the forum was a two-day event with over 30 high-class events. The number of online attendees was 1,500 unique visitors, on top of the decision makers and experts present on spot. Due to the corona pandemic, the number of attendees on spot was limited and the instructions imposed by the authorities were carefully adhered to.
• In 2021, the Europe Forum is organized as a three-day hybrid event in Turku on the 25th to 27th of August 2021.
• For 2021, the visual identity, logos and the website of the Europe Forum have been renewed. The website can be accessed at the familiar address https://www.europeforum.fi/en.