The Europe Forum will see top names of politics, economy, and research, again in August

An open discussion on the future of Finland and Europe will take place for the fifth time at the Europe Forum, in Turku, on the 24th to 26th of August. The theme of this year's Europe Forum is the position of Finland and the EU as part of the changing international order. Speakers include Prime Minister Sanna Marin, Minister of Finance Annika Saarikko, Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto, party leaders Petteri Orpo and Riikka Purra, Minister of Education Li Andersson, and Sitra's President Jyrki Katainen. 

Like the rest of the world, Europe and Finland have been hit by many crises: The COVID-19 pandemic, the war, growing tensions in global politics, climate change, rising energy and raw material prices, as well as uncertainty in the economic outlook for the future. The future of democracy, the free market economy, and the stability and security of societies are the subjects of daily social debate.

Once again, the Europe Forum responds to the current need for a European discussion and, for the fifth time, invites people from different areas of society to participate in the discussion: Political decision-makers representing different views, NGOs, business life, experts, and citizens. The Europe Forum is an opportunity to meet and exchange European ideas.

See the entire programme outline of the Forum: https://europeforum.fi/en/programme/
The programme will be updated during the spring and summer.

- Russia's war against Ukraine has dominated and will dominate the preparations and discussions of the upcoming Europe Forum. Finland's security policy will be the subject of a historic debate, before and also during the forum, the core of the debate being our NATO membership. Finland's decision will be made in May, and the forum's programme has been prepared with that in mind, says Anders Blom, Professor of Practice, Chair of Europe Forum Turku. 

The changed foreign and security policy situation provokes discussion

The three-day programme will see discussions on the changed foreign policy situation, both nationally and internationally. The events will include a top-level foreign and security policy seminar, as well as an EU policy prime minister debate, where the leaders of four parties will discuss the current situation in the EU, the future, and the European policy of the future government. The Forum will discuss topics such as EU-NATO relationship, EU's Russia policy, the green transition, as well as the development of international trade and competition.

This year’s event, too, will see a large number of ministers, MEPs, as well as scientific, economic, and political experts participating in the discussion of topical matters. 2022 is the European Year of Youth, and the programme of the Europe Forum offers several opportunities for young people to participate in the debate. The public will be able to take part in the entire three-day event online.  

The autumn season of politics and economics will begin from Turku also this year – welcome!

Further information:

• Anders Blom, Chair, Europe Forum Turku association, tel: +358 400 523 409
• www.europeforum.fi/en
• The entire programme outline of the Europe Forum: https://europeforum.fi/en/programme/
• Programme 2022 launch video: https://youtu.be/-48Qw9foLlo
• Press releases, logos, and images: https://europeforum.fi/en/media/
• Compilation video of the 2021 Europe Forum https://youtu.be/FW2K9cxRTwM

Europe Forum on social media:

• Twitter: @eurooppafoorumi
• Instagram: @eurooppafoorumi
• Facebook: Europe Forum 2022 
• #eurooppafoorumi #europeforum

This is Europe Forum:

• Finland's leading European policy forum and the annual opening of the political season, in Turku, which reflects on Finland's role in Europe and the European Union.  
• The event was first organised in 2018.
• The Europe Forum provides topical EU information as well as promotes open, research-based, broad dialogue between citizens and decision-makers. The Forum consists of seminars, panels, question times, and citizens' discussions.  
• Each year, the Forum has brought together dozens of partners and organisers, whose cooperation has made the Europe Forum an important meeting place for the European discussion.
• In 2021, the Forum was a three-day hybrid event that attracted 200 speakers and 3000 participants on-site and online. A total of 46 events were organised, and the discussion topics included the rule of law and information operations, the green transition, and the transformation of the EU.  
• This summer, the Europe Forum will be held again as a hybrid event in Turku, 24–26 August 2022.