Northern Future Forum generates a wealth of ideas regarding the future of northern Europe

The Northern Future Forum hosted by Prime Minister Alexander Stubb convened in Helsinki on 6–7 November. The prime ministers of the Nordic and Baltic countries and the UK gathered in an open and informal setting to generate ideas on how to promote entrepreneurial activities and education in the face of ever-stiffening global competition in a changing world.

“The Northern Future Forum concept spurred a creative and lively exchange between the prime ministers and experts. My hope was that each participant would have at least one tangible idea to take home to work on. I myself made a special note of three ideas: meetings between entrepreneurs and investors hosted by the prime minister, teaching coding at schools, and bringing classrooms closer to the present times”, Prime Minister Stubb says.

Additionally, the prime ministers took part in the thematic debates held in the Startup Sauna of the Aalto University where experts shed light on the challenges of the future from fresh perspectives. New ideas were explored in areas such as the interaction and dialogue between growth companies and the public sector, diversification of the models of financing available to companies, and the priorities of teacher training.

“The experts presented their cases in highly concrete terms raising important issues. My colleagues agreed with me in that the presentations really opened our eyes and ears to new approaches. The societies of northern Europe are facing many common challenges, and therefore is it is extremely fruitful to try and find common solutions”, concludes Prime Minister Alexander Stubb.

Now held for the fourth time, the next Northern Future Forum will be organised in Iceland in 2015.

For more information on the seminar and opening addresses, summary and press conference, see nff2014.government.fi. Twitter: #nffhelsinki

Inquiries: Anna-Kaisa Heikkinen, Special Adviser (International Affairs), tel. 040 7483 867; and Pekka Sinko, Secretary General to the Economic Council, tel. 0295 160 189, Prime Minister’s Office