Sustainable growth model report published

Sustainable Growth Model, the final report of an international research project led by Professor Pekka Himanen and Professor Manuel Castells was published today on 7 November. The final report prepared by the research group consisting of 7 experts highlights new, internationally relevant elements of a sustainable growth model. The concept of a dignified life has been raised as a development goal. Their vision is a society where everyone can live a dignified life.

The research outlines three key challenges for Finland's future: the transitions from a welfare state of the industrial era to a well-being society of the information age and to an ecologically sustainable economy of the information age and the intellectual culture that supports them.

The research carried out consists in a two-year academic project whose results and conclusions have been drawn on in the preparatory work for the Government Report on the Future. The Government Report focusing on well-being through sustainable growth was adopted by the Government on 30 October 2013. Discussion on the report at Parliament will begin on 7 November.

Focus on leading development models in various areas

In addition to comprehensive theoretical considerations, the international research group has studied leading development models of different areas and their development goals over a longer time span than the current period shadowed by the economic crisis. The case studies selected to the final report represent growth models from all over the world. In addition to the Finnish model, the models studied include the Silicon Valley model, the state-led development model of China, the welfare model of Europe and the development models of Chile and South Africa.

Final report to be published abroad later

The final report published today is a translation into Finnish of the original report in English to be published by Oxford University Press in spring 2014. The Finnish version has a separate preface and a section on conclusions relevant to Finland.

The final report entitled 'Sustainable Growth Model – a Global View' is available in Finnish on the Prime Minister's Office website at www.vnk.fi/julkaisut.

Inquiries: Professor Pekka Himanen, tel. +358 50 557 2269, pekka.himanen(at)aalto.fi and Pekka Lindroos, General Secretary, chair of the project's steering group, tel. +358 50 396 3313, Prime Minister's Office