The Finnish government, which is setting up the program as part of a special state-owned company called the Work Channel, has emphasized that it must be seen as a last resort when all other employment attempts have failed.
This week, the South African newspaper Daily Maverick emphasized Finland’s commitment and continued success in achieving the goals of sustainable development. Finland on UN Sustainable Development Report for the first time this year.
The country’s strategies include shifting from fossil fuels to low-cost renewable energy sources and increasing the use of nuclear power in energy production, as well as the efficient use of water resources.
Finland’s efforts to move to a circular economy have also helped pave the way for more sustainable production and consumption patterns.
A new domestic velomobile – a two- or three-wheeled human-powered vehicle – from Finland, which closely resembles a classic car, was also presented this week in several automotive magazines and websites.
Designed by Ari Jukka Luomaranta, a Finnish guitar manufacturer restoring classic vehicles, the velomobile is 285 cm long and 100 cm wide and can accommodate two people.
Customers can choose whether the chassis of the Kinner is made of carbon fiber, fiberglass or undisclosed green “bio-based material”.
At the same time, Finland is setting up a commission to investigate injustice and discrimination against the Nordic indigenous people, the Sámi. Norway and Sweden have also begun trying to make up for the ill-treatment of the minority community.
The committee examines the harmful effects of the state’s assimilation policy on the Sámi and finds out how their rights as an indigenous people can be sufficiently exercised in Finland.
In other words, Sweden and Finland are cooperating to improve industrial exports. Countries work together to promote new technologies, attract investment and encourage innovation through joint research and development.
By working together, countries can also provide an impetus for small businesses in the region that would not otherwise have the resources to succeed independently.
Finland is setting up an employment program for the disabled
The Government establishes a state-owned specialty company called Työkanava (Työkanava Oy) as part of an initiative to promote the employment of vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.
The Work Channel, inspired by the Swedish state-owned Samhall, which creates job opportunities for people with disabilities, will start operations in 2022.
The company receives EUR 20 million in share capital funding from the Sustainable Growth Program and directly hires extremely disadvantaged job seekers.
The original story was published by IceNews and TheMayor.eu and can be found here and here.
Finland was praised for the progress made in sustainable development
The South African newspaper Daily Maverick has published a breakdown of how Finland has managed to overtake other countries in its efforts to achieve sustainable development.
By Marko Saarinen, As a development adviser at the Finnish Embassy in South Africa, one way in which Finland has made significant progress in its goals is to ensure equality through high-quality education.
Other key factors contributing to the country’s success include the emphasis on renewable energy sources, efficient management of groundwater resources, circular economy-friendly business models that encourage recycling, and efficient waste management.
The original story was published by the Daily Maverick on October 26, 2021 and can be found here.
The new Finnish velomobile rolls into the headlines
The Finnish electric velomobile has attracted the attention of vehicle enthusiasts. The aerodynamic vehicle designed by Ari Jukka Luomaranta is 285 cm long, 100 cm wide and has a wheelbase of 220 cm, so it can be classified as an electric bicycle in Finland.
Luomaranta hopes to get a mass-produced vehicle named Kinner after the Finnish-language velomobile. Vehicles are available for 1500 euros each. Those interested can place an order with a deposit of 500 euros and the estimated delivery time in April 2022.
The original story was published by FormaCar and Wonderful Engineering, and can be found here and here.
Finland is setting up a commission to investigate injustices against the Sámi
Finland is setting up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate the discrimination and injustice faced by the Sámi population in the country.
Community languages and traditional livelihoods have been threatened by the state’s merger policy and the proliferation of modern industries such as mining and tourism.
By the end of November 2023, the reporting committee intends to make information about the Sámi discrimination experiences available to the public.
The original story was published by Bloomberg on October 28, 2021 and can be found here.
Sweden and Finland are cooperating to speed up trade
Sweden and Finland are joining forces to help Nordic companies penetrate the global market. The strategy includes promoting inter-university cooperation and promoting new technologies such as green solutions.
According to the Swedish Minister for Foreign Trade and the Nordic Countries Anna Hallberg, Co – operation between Sweden and Finland helps to “counterbalance” the “fragmentation” of trade in global politics.
The original story was published by Euractiv on October 28, 2021 and can be found here.
Tahira Sequeira
Helsinki Times
Source: The Nordic Page