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Julkaistu

Social democratic veterans: A very pleasant Christmas lunch with friends and former colleagues

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The ’Old Comrades of the Capital’ – an association of retired social democratic party and trade union employees and political office holders met at the traditional restaurant at Workers Hall in Helsinki. From January onwards I am the president of this respected organisation which meets once a month to discuss a current political theme. At ’my’ first meeting soon after the holidays, former party chair and multiple minister Ulf Sundqvist will discuss Nordic and European social democracy against the backdrop of growing populism.

Humble and pleased to work with these people who have been so important for building up our democracy and the Finnish welfare state, and who are now committed to working actively for protecting these values.

Oh the accordion music – this was Maunu Ihalainen who for many-many years was in charge of the national social democratic party organisation. How many we were? Around 40, I guess.

Julkaistu

Closing the circle – back as secretary of my small social democratic party organisation

Fifty years ago I was president of this Swedish-language small social democratic party local and last night I was asked to be its secretary. So the circle here is kind of closed again. Not really a students’ organisation anymore 😊, but yes there are also some of us original members left. Its not-too-big membership comes from the whole Helsinki (Helsingfors) region and we meet once a month for a political discussion – and a dinner for those who wish. Socialdemokratiskt Forum as it is called is also an active member in the party itself and in its Swedish-language organisation. And Zinnkeller where we met last night once again is an authentic German family-owned neighbourhood restaurant so the cuisine is rich, hearty and delicious…

Julkaistu

Fast, efficient and free – flu vaccination by the Helsinki Finland public health service

Fast, free and efficient. Today’s flu vaccination at a Helsinki municipality service center close to my home took less than two minutes. Walk in, show the government-issued health service card for identification, pull up the left shirt sleeve, a fast vaccination, and that’s it. Free for all those over 65 or under 7 years old, free for other vulnerable groups and people in some professions, and very low cost for others. Public sector in Finland at its best, again.

Julkaistu

Working to preserve and promote the rich culture and heritage of Swedish social democracy in Finland

From left to right: Ulf Sundqvist, Anette Karlsson, Folke Sundman and Rebecka Åkers. I am behind the camera myself. In the background, the Congress of the Swedish social democrats in Finland.

A fast meeting over the lunch break in Porvoo – Borgå in Swedish – at the Congress of Finland’s Swedish-speaking Social Democrats on Sunday.

We met as the board of a small foundation which works to preserve and promote the rich cultural and political heritage of Swedish social democratic labour organisations in this bi-lingual country. We also want to support the human rights and democratic values which are now being increasingly threatened.

At the left is Ulf Sundqvist, our chair, who served as a cabinet minister during many years. Anette Karlsson who works with the social democratic group in Parliament sits next to him, then comes Folke Sundman who is chair of the main Swedish social democratic association in Helsinki and one of our leading sustainability experts, and at the right Rebecca Åkers, social science student and social democratic youth movement leader.

Both Anette and Rebecca were selected as candidates for next spring’s parliamentary elections. Regrettably not in my district, but I hope they will do well!

Julkaistu

Not easy to say no at times – elected president of Pääkaupungin Wanhat Toverit

Not easy to say no, at times. Just back from a meeting with an association of veteran social democratic politicians, officials and activists as newly elected president of the largest local organisation ”Pääkaupungin Wanhat Toverit” – The Old Comrades of the Capital City.

The picture is not from today’s meeting here in Helsinki, however, but from our national conference last year in Tampere.

We get together once a month around a theme which today was the challenge of Europe’s extreme right. Many friends and colleagues from years far back were there. And yes, most looked ’like themselves’, even after my 26 years in Geneva.

This is a group of really experienced people with deeply imbedded values of human rights, democracy, equality and tolerance. Working together with these friends and colleagues is definitely a very special and pleasant but also inspiring challenge. Also happy for the confidence they showed me.

Julkaistu

Great initiative: Helsinki City Pilots promote residents’ participation

I was at the local library today, meeting Stadiluotsi Silja Lindblad – ’Stadiluotsi’ meaning City Pilot. As president of the regional association in this part of town it was of course kind of an obligation, but as you can see from the selfies taken by Silja it turned out to a very enjoyable and relaxed chat, but with much substance as well.

These City Pilots are young women and men coming from outside the municipal services who are here to link people with the Helsinki City administration and services. This is a superb initiative which I could once again see and feel at our small but great Pitäjänmäki – Sockenbacka in Swedish – library today. Kind of our second living room it is.

By coincidence another good friend was there also, Pirjo Kivistö, chair of the influential Pitäjänmäen Työväenyhdistys, the local social democratic association in this very traditional part of town. And no this was not planned so could have been my green or conservative and any other friends as well. They all support our association, the political groups in this city.

Helsinki – or Helsingfors in Swedish – is a dynamic but also progressive city. An interesting new initiative is that anyone living here can make a suggestion about spending part of the city budget on anything that feels important. Over 4 million Euros are reserved for this annually. And even better, the winning proposals that will become reality are selected through a general vote where everyone who is at least 12 years old – yes 12 years – can take part.

So again I felt happy to be home 😊.