At the invitation of Ambassador Markku Keinänen, JEF Finland is taking part in the opening event of Finland’s EU presidency in London, at the Ambassador’s residence. JEF Finland is represented at the event by Vice President Iida Laurila. The event’s other speaker is Member of Parliament Sinuhe Wallinheimo, and the discussion is hosted by Gary Klaukka, Head of Public Affairs at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
JEF Finland published its own goal programme for the EU presidency last summer. JEF Finland’s programme highlights millennials and calls for solutions on issues such as combating climate change and youth unemployment. The same themes are also highlighted in the programme for Finland’s EU presidency, whose theme is “Sustainable Europe – Sustainable Future”.
”It’s a tremendous opportunity to be the Ambassador’s guest and to share what JEF Finland specifically thinks about the EU’s future. Whenever the EU’s future is discussed, it should be remembered that young people should be included in the discussions, since they are involved in building that future,” reminds Laurila.
Iida Laurila’s trip — her first visit to the United Kingdom — can be followed on JEF Finland’s Instagram on 3-4 July.
Finland holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union, i.e. the Council of Ministers, from 1 July to 31 December 2019. The presidency responsibility rotates among all member states and lasts 6 months. It is the presidency country’s responsibility to ensure that legislative work in the Council progresses and that continuity of discussion is maintained. You can explore the programme for Finland’s EU presidency here.
Follow the progress of the presidency also on the official social media channels @eu2019fi and with the hashtag #EU2019FI.