Europe Forum will be organised for the sixth time in Turku, Turku, from 30 August to 1 September 2023. The event will take place in halls at both Linnankatu 56 and 60 and online. On Friday 1 September, a Speakers' Corner will be set up at Turku Market Square. The University of Turku is one of the organisers of the European Forum.
Discussion programme organised by the University of Turku:
- Wednesday, 30 August at 1–1.45 pm in Sigyn Hall (Linnankatu 60): European Universities and Alliances for excellence: Reaching towards new Frontiers with Northern America (debate in English)
The event is organised by the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University. Main themes in the discussion will be: What do the European (and Finnish) Universities look like from the perspective of the US? What should be done in order to match with the perceived level of excellence, strategies and collaboration? What can we learn from each other in the sense of HE policy and science diplomacy?
Participants of the discussion are Officer Susan Bridenstine (Public diplomacy section at US. Embassy Helsinki), Rector Jukka Kola (University of Turku), Rector Mikael Lindfelt (Åbo Akademi University) and CEO Terhi Mölsä (Fulbright Finland Foundation). - Wednesday, 30 August at 4–4.45pm in Crichton Hall (Linnankatu 60): Politics Outside Politics: Contemporary Euro-American Currents (debate in English)
The roundtable discussion produced in English by the John Morton Center at the University of Turku considers how political currents crisscross back and forth between Europe and the Americas, and addresses the connections between politics and culture. The addressed questions include: how do contemporary politics operate outside traditional political forums, what is the significance of social media and popular culture to the political rhetoric between the continents, how identity politics and political celebrity culture influence the political culture, and how do various contested topics, concepts, and discussions translate when crossing the Atlantic?
The participants of the discussion moderated by Journalist Anna-Sofia Berner from the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper are Professor Benita Heiskanen from the University of Turku, Professor Teivo Teivainen from the University of Helsinki, University Researcher Johanna Vuorelma from the University of Helsinki, and Postdoctoral Researcher Oscar Winberg from Åbo Akademi University. - Friday, 1 September at 10–10.45am in Crichton Hall (Linnankatu 60): Transatlantic trade relations in turmoil: a challenge or an opportunity for Nordic export companies? (debate in English)
The discussion will address the operation of the Trade and Technology Council launched in 2021, the aim of which is to promote the convergence of transatlantic regulation, and create a closer synergy in political positions and in standard development. However, in the fall of 2022, the United States announced new government subsidies for green technology, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the impact of which is causing concern for European actors. These subsidies have been seen as a way to attract European green technology companies to move their production to the United States.
Participants of the discussion held in English are Director-General of National Board of Trade Sweden Anders Ahnlid, CEO of Miltton USA Kristiina Helenius, Professor Edvard Johansson from School of Business and Economics at Åbo Akademi University, and Director of Entrepreneurship, EU and International Trade SME-Affairs Petri Vuorio from the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK). The discussion will be moderated by Research Manager Anna Karhu and Postdoctoral Researcher Eini Haaja from Turku School of Economics.
Researchers from the University of Turku are participating in the following discussions:
- Wednesday, 30 August at 10–10.45am: What is the significance of EU cooperation for municipalities and regions? - Examples from Turku and Southwest Finland (debate in Finnish, simultaneous interpretation in English)
The participants of the discussion include Rector Jukka Kola from the University of Turku, the details of the programme will be announced later. - Wednesday, 30 August at 10–10.45am in Crichton Hall (Linnankatu 60): Autonomy in the Åland Islands and Crimea – governing a particular population in a national context (debate in English)
The panelists of the discussion held in English are Dr. Yulia Tyshchenko from the Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research, Director of the Peace Institute of the Åland Islands Sia Spiliopoulou Åkermark, and Professor of International Politics Henri Vogt from the University of Turku. Professor Markku Suksi from Åbo Akademi University will moderate the discussion. - Wednesday, 30 August at 1–2.30pm at Crichton Hall (Linnankatu 60): Turku Climate Forum (debate in Finnish, simultaneous interpretation in English))
The keynote speaker is Professor of Management and Organisation Satu Teerikangas from Turku School of Economics at the University of Turku.
During the one and a half hour session, there will also be two panel discussions. Professor Ilari E. Sääksjärvi, Director of the Biodiversity Unit and Jussi Vahtera, Special Adviser in Public Health will attend in panel discussion How do biodiversity loss and climate change show in Turku and how do they affect the well-being of city residents?. Sampo Ruoppila, Research Director of Urban Studies will attend in discussion Increasing biodiversity in cities. - Thursday, 31 August at 9.30–10.15am in Köysiteatteri (Linnankatu 56): Finland's foreign and security policy in a world of division / the new Cold War (debate in Finnish, simultaneous interpretation in English)
The participants of the discussion held in Finnish are Director General of the Bank of Finland Olli Rehn, Member of Parliament Pekka Haavisto and Professor of International Business Kari Liuhto from the University of Turku.
Speakers' Corner at the Market Square 1st September
The theme of Speakers’ Corner, which was launched at last year’s forum, will be “Europe NOW” this year. The programme will be held this time at Turku Market Square on Friday 1 September from 12:00 to 17:00. Speakers’ Corner is open to everyone and no advance registration is required.
The programme will include discussions on the European Year of Skills and on how the green and digital transitions will open up new opportunities for people and the EU economy. Speakers will include MEPs Ville Niinistö, Sirpa Pietikäinen, Petri Sarvamaa, Henna Virkkunen and Nils Torvalds and Parliamentary Speaker Jussi Halla-aho and the President of Sitra Atte Jääskeläinen. Speakers’ Corner will be hosted by Markku Jokisipilä, Head of the Centre for Parliamentary Studies at the University of Turku.
As with all Europe Forum events, you can also participate in Speakers’ Corner in livestreams via the virtual event page
This is Europe Forum
Europe Forum provides up-to-date information on the EU and promotes an open, informed and wide-ranging debate between citizens and policy-makers. The Forum consists of seminars, panel discussions and citizens' debates.
The European Forum will be organised as a hybrid event in Turku from 30th August to 1st September 2023.
The main venues of the European Forum will be Sigyn Hall (Linnankatu 60), Crichton Hall (Linnankatu 60), Köysiteatteri (Linnankatu 56) and Turku Market Square.
The discussions can also be followed remotely online (a link to the programme page will be updated closer to the event).
