Invitation to the African diaspora in Finland for a consultation on Finland’s Africa strategy

Welcome to a consultation on Finland’s Africa strategy on 20 November, 2020, at 14:00 – 15:30. The event will be online and open to all.

The Government of Finland is currently drawing up a national Africa strategy. The aim of the strategy is to diversify Finland’s relations with African countries and develop the ambitions and coherence of Finland’s Africa policy. Special attention will be paid to the expansion and deepening of Finland’s political and economic ties with African countries, in addition to the already existing development cooperation, as well as of Finland’s relations with the African Union and other regional organisations on the continent.

The strategy aims at identifying shared interests and strengthening connections in different sectors between Finland and Africa. Points of departure include Finland’s own interests and competencies, Agenda 2030, and the “Africa We Want” Agenda 2063 of the African Union. Finland’s strategy also takes into consideration the policies of the European Union’s recent Strategy with Africa.

As part of the strategy process, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is organizing a virtual consultation with African diaspora in Finland on Friday 20 November, 2020, at 14:00-15:30 (Finnish time).

Tentative programme:

14:00 Opening remarks by Ms. Johanna Sumuvuori, Secretary of State
14:10 Presentation of the strategy process by the Department for Africa and the Middle East
14:25 Panel of diaspora members, moderator Mr. Peter Kariuki, Ministry of Justice
Ms. Sarah Laaru, Finnish-African Society
Mr. Takura Matswetu, Think Africa
Mr. Driss Habti, University of Eastern Finland
Ms. Maiju Korpela, the Finnish Somalia Network
14:55 Discussion
15:25 Conclusion by Ms. Johanna Sumuvuori, Secretary of State

Under the theme How does African diaspora in Finland see Finland’s Africa strategy? the panel (and the discussion thereafter) is expected to answer particularly the following two questions:

1) What does the diaspora expect and wish from the strategy?
2) The strategy aims at expanding and deepening Finland’s political and economic relations with African countries, in addition to existing development cooperation. How can African diaspora in Finland contribute to this goal?

The event will be in English and recorded for internal purposes only. Please register for the event here by 18 November at 16:00. The event will be organised as a Microsoft Teams meeting, a link to which will be sent to those registered for the event.

Since the time for speaking in the event itself will be limited, please send questions and comments beforehand here or by email to Ms. Nanna Hallikainen ([email protected]). Participants are also invited to use the chat option during the event.

For additional information, please contact Ms. Nanna Hallikainen ([email protected]).

More information on the Africa strategy process is available on the website of Finland's Africa strategy. Follow the discussion on the Africa strategy on social media using the hashtag #afrikkastrategia. Please join us in creating Finland’s Africa strategy!