JEF Finland took part in the Future Forum on International Politics, held in Helsinki on 8–9 September 2023. The event brought together young people, decision-makers, experts, and organisations to discuss the future of international politics and young people’s opportunities to have an impact. The programme included panel discussions, speeches, and various workshops. JEF Finland’s President Amanda Alvesalo took part in the panel discussion “The Future of International Institutions” together with Erik Lundberg, Deputy Director of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ Political Department, and Paula Pättikangas, UN Youth Delegate. The panel examined the future of international actors, particularly the EU and the UN, and their ability to respond to future challenges. The panel was moderated by Johannes Vänttinen, former chair of the Finnish Association for International Affairs.
In connection with the youth forum, the youth organisations drew up a joint statement on Finland’s role on the international stage. The statement emphasises that Finland must be an active and bold actor internationally, and must boldly defend its own values. The youth organisations see international cooperation as essential for success, for solving global challenges, and for upholding these values.
“Finland’s interest is often talked about as if it were one single, unambiguous thing. What is in Finland’s interest depends entirely on whose Finnish perspective you’re looking at any given issue from. In the big picture, Finland, as a small exporting nation, has always benefited from the opportunities created by international cooperation. Expertise is one of our most important exports, and other countries could benefit from it even more – whether the issue is environmental technology, peacebuilding, or the circular economy. Functioning international institutions and Finland’s own initiative are prerequisites for improved cooperation and shared benefit, which is an inseparable part of Finland’s national interest. On that point, we youth organisations specialising in international affairs are in absolute agreement”, sums up JEF Finland’s President Amanda Alvesalo.
Read the full statement here!
Organisations that signed the statement:
Suomen YK-nuoret
JEF Finland
Sadankomitea
Suomen Malli-YK (FinMUN)
Helsingin YK-yhdistys (HYKY)
Tampereen YK-yhdistys (TAYK)
Kansainvälisen politiikan yhdistys (FAIA)
European Youth Parliament (EYP) Finland
Nuorten Agenda 2030-ryhmä