The Europe Forum brings together top politicians to Turku, Finland, in August, led by the Prime Minister Sanna Marin
The fourth Europe Forum will be arranged in Turku, Finland, on the 25th to 27th of August 2021. The preliminary programme was published today, and it features speakers such as Prime Minister Sanna Marin, Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen, Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto, Minister of Science and Culture Annika Saarikko, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen, Chair of the Finns Party and Member of Parliament Jussi Halla-aho, and Members of the European Parliament Heidi Hautala, Petri Sarvamaa, Eero Heinäluoma and Miapetra Kumpula-Natri.
The EU influencers will lead discussions on topics like influencing through information, the rule of law, EU’s role in promoting digital transformation, and the changes in the EU.
The preliminary programme was published today during the Europe Day virtual event.
“This year, the Europe Forum discussions will focus on the changes in the EU and in Finland. Europe is organizing itself for the post-pandemic reconstruction phase which is politically and economically historical,” says Anders Blom, Professor of Practice and the Chair of Europe Forum Turku, the association organising the forum.
”A great emphasis is on the economy. The programme focuses on the future of the European Union from many angles: the green transition, the recovery instrument from Finland’s perspective, the development of the internal market, the importance of various export agreements for Finnish companies, and the EU's competitiveness in relation to the rest of the world after the corona pandemic.” says Niko Kyynäräinen, Director of Business and Economic Development at City of Turku, and board member of the Europe Forum Turku.
Discussions focus on the changes in the EU and Finland
The Europe Forum is arranged as a three-day hybrid event in Turku on the 25th to 27th of August 2021. Wednesday the 25th is dedicated to science, on Thursday the 26th the focus is on economy, and on Friday the 27th the discussions address political topics.
Guests from all over the EU are expected to attend – business executives, political influencers, researchers, media, and civic organisations. Active participation in the discussions by young attendees is especially desired. The diplomats from the EU member countries stationed in Helsinki are also expected to join.
The European Forum is a national discussion forum based on cooperation between NGOs and business and public authorities, originally initiated by the universities in Turku. The forum plays an important role in the international relations of the City of Turku.
There are 14 member organisations behind the Europe Forum. The newest members are the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, and Eurooppalainen Suomi ry.
The Europe Forum is part of a wider Conference on the Future of Europe. The goal of the conference is to invite people from all over Europe to express their thoughts and opinions and to join in building the future of Europe.
Virtual platform is open for all
The Europe Forum will have four main venues: the foyer of the Turku City Theatre, Radisson Blu Marina Palace hotel, Turku Administrative building, and the Europe Forum virtual platform.
As before, the participation on spot will be limited and invitation-based. The whole programme will be accessible to anyone through live streams online. The public can make comments and ask questions through the chat on the event platform. The discussions will be recorded and can be viewed later via YouTube, among other channels.
The planning and production of the event will adhere to the instructions issued and participant limits imposed by the Finnish Government, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The Europe Forum follows the Clean & Safe Turku principles for a responsible organization of events.
Programme for Europe Forum 2021
Wednesday Aug 25th, Science Day
Discussions about change, including such topics as AI, vaccinations, and influencing through information. Meetings will be chaired by the universities.
Thursday Aug 26th, Economy Day
Seminar on economy and European Ambassadors Forum
Friday Aug 27th, Politics day
Politics are present in a talk by the Prime Minister, in a Parliament of Finland Grand Committee hearing, and in a Foreign and security policy seminar.
In focus of the day is e.g., EU’s transatlantic relations, as well as relations with China and Russia.
Further information:
- Anders Blom, Chair of Europe Forum Turku, tel. +358 400 523 049
- Niko Kyynäräinen, Director of Business and Economic Development at City of Turku, tel. +358 50 559 0538
- https://europeforum.fi/en/europe-forum/
- Europe Forum media releases, logos and pictures: https://europeforum.fi/en/media/
- Video of the 2020 Europe Forum
Europe Forum Turku 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 visual identity, logos and the website of the Europe Forum have been renewed. The website can be accessed at the familiar address https://europeforum.fi/en/europe-forum/.
