A public forum to discuss the effects of the proposed immigration laws in the government programme on the rights of diverse migrant groups in Finland.

The event brings together the public and experts, to help understand the implications of the programme, raise awareness of concerns, offer an opportunity for public dialogue, hear the opinions of experts and civil society, and develop a collective action plan on how to address the concerns. It will consist of informative talks and a panel discussion among experts, and an open mic and Q&A session, through which the public can ask questions and share their experiences, concerns, and ideas.

Speakers:

• Riina Bhatia, Deputy City Councillor, Helsinki, Green Party
• Erna Bodström, Migration Researcher, DSSc, University of Helsinki
• Julia Ståhle, President of the Swedish Youth of Finland
• Teemu Haapalehto, Director of Immigration Affairs, City of Espoo
• Nick Walters, PhD, Co-Founder & Chair, Helsinki LEFT ry

The event is organised by Prof. Nitin Sawhney (Trust-M), Dr. Johanna Leinonen (Mobile Futures), and Dr. Nick Walters & Ditmar Hasanaj (Helsinki LEFT ry).

The forum takes place directly after the MASS PROTEST against the new Finnish Immigration Policy, which departs from Senate Square at 15:00 and finishes outside Parliament House at 17:00. You’re welcome to gather outside or in the lobby of Helsinki Central Library Oodi from 17:30. The event will take place in Maijansali on the ground floor of Oodi and the doors will open at 18:00.

Trust-M aims to create trustworthy digital public services for improved integration of migrants in Finland, hence strengthening Finnish society through increased inclusion and economic vibrance. The project is a partnership between Aalto University, University of Helsinki, Tampere University, and City of Espoo. https://trustmproject.aalto.fi

Diversity, Trust, and Two-Way Integration (Mobile Futures) is an interdisciplinary, action-oriented research project that strives to promote a fair and inclusive society through focusing on integration as a trust-based, two-way process. https://mobilefutures.fi

Helsinki LEFT ry is a new grassroots chapter of Left Alliance. It works to better represent and integrate minority groups—particularly immigrants—in Finnish politics, overcoming knowledge gaps and the language barrier, and raising the profile of immigrant issues in political discourse, in English. www.instagram.com/helsinkileft

Facebook event page: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/315713507491609/

SUMMARY OF THE EVENT HERE:

Migrant Rights X Finnish Immigration Policies