Top EU politicians launch the political season in Turku

Several prominent scientists, economists and politicians open the discussions on Europe at the Europe Forum, organised in Turku, Finland, on the 25th to 27th of August 2021. The forum culminates on Friday, the Politics Day, in discussions with the Prime Minister Sanna Marin, Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen, the opposition party leader Petteri Orpo, and the Parliament of Finland Grand Committee. The Friday topics evolve around the position of Finland in Europe.

“This is the fourth Europe Forum in Turku, and keeping in mind the health security during pandemic, it is arranged as a hybrid event. The forum is one of the biggest events in Finland that prepare us for the Conference on the Future of Europe. The views and suggestions presented during Europe Forum are collected and sent as greetings from Finland to the Conference”, says Anders Blom, Professor of Practice and the Chair of Europe Forum Turku, the association organising the forum.

High-quality discussions on science, economy, and politics

During the 3-day forum, the topics of the high-grade seminars evolve around green transition, EU’s competitiveness, the Next Generation EU recovery fund, and the fighter procurement – the largest transaction in Finnish history. During the Science Day, there are discussions on influencing through information and the role of the universities as producers of scientific information.

All the important players of the EU politics are present at the event, from the Finnish Government and Parliament to the European Commission and the European Parliament. Also in attendance are labour market organisations, the Bank of Finland, universities, advocacy organisations, NGOs, and business and industry representatives.

Just like previous year, the participation to the events on spot will be limited and invitation-based, but the whole programme will be accessible through live streams. The public is invited to engage via the Europe Forum virtual platform.

>> Read a summary of the programme: https://europeforum.fi/en/news/the-europe-forum-form-is-implemented-in-heath-safe-manner-in-turku-science-economy-and-politics-provoke-discussion-in-the-midst-of-a-pandemic/

>> See the whole programme and all the speakers: https://europeforum.fi/en/programme/

>> Europe Forum virtual platform: https://event.prospectumlive.com/europeforum

Health security of the Forum a top priority

For health security reasons and following the successful example of last year’s Europe Forum, the event will be arranged as a hybrid event. The public can follow the discussions online via the virtual platform, and comment and ask questions using the chat function.

As proof of a responsible organization of events, the Europe Forum has been granted the Clean & Safe Turku sign. The organizers of the Forum also follow the Safe Events check list compiled by the Finland’s Event Industry Association. The planning and production of the Forum will adhere to the latest instructions issued by the authorities, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

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.