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Sitra’s Leadership Training for the Future EU aims to boost Finland’s capacity to make a difference on the future direction of the European Union. The twice-yearly training courses usually bring together some 60 decision-makers and influencers to debate the future of the EU and strengthen their potential to influence it.
Many of the laws that affect Finland are made in the EU. The EU also decides how we respond to crises, what we do to mitigate biodiversity loss and climate change, or how we work together to promote sustainable economic development.
The future of the EU is currently high on the European Council’s agenda. Next year will see European elections and the appointment of a new Commission.
“Now is the right time to discuss how and in what ways we can make a difference in the EU and seek solutions to the challenges of the future together with others. If we want to make a strategic difference, we need to know how and where to do so,” says Päivi Hirvola, one of the training facilitators and the director of the training programme.
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Global competition, the EU’s changing security environment, enlargement and economic, climate and migration reforms have all altered the nature of the EU. Responding to global tensions requires cooperation.
“The participants in our training courses play a key role in thinking about the future of the EU. We want to broaden the debate about the EU. By influencing the future of the EU, we are laying the foundations for a sustainable future for Finland,” says Riikka Marjamäki, Senior Lead at the Leadership Training for the Future EU.
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The training will provide up-to-date information and insights from top experts on the future of the EU and how to lead it.
To support the training, Sitra published on 5 October a memo by European researcher Timo Miettinen, entitled ‘The EU in a time of crises” (coming soon in English), which examines how the EU developed, its current situation and future direction.
The first Leadership Training for the Future EU will involve 28 decision-makers and influencers. The course starts on 10 October.
The participants in the first pilot course
| Name | Title | Organisation |
| Minna Aila | EVP, Sustainability and Corporate Affairs | Neste |
| Eeva Aittoniemi | Head of Unit EU and International Affairs | Ministry of Justice, Finland |
| Pia Björkbacka | Adviser for International Affairs | The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions |
| Eveliina Heinäluoma | Member of Parliament, Finland | Social Democratic Parliamentary Group |
| Lauri Hirvonen | Director, European Correspondent European correspondent | Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Finland |
| Maria Häggman | Head of International Affairs | Finnish Confederation of Professionals STTK |
| Tuomas Iso-Markku | Senior Research Fellow | the Finnish Institute of International Affairs – FIIA |
| Markku Jokisipilä | Assistant Professor, Centre for Parliamentary Studies | University of Turku |
| Atte Jääskeläinen | President | Sitra |
| Eeva Kalli | Member of Parliament | Centre Party Parliamentary Group |
| Tuuli Kaskinen | CEO | Climate Leadership Coalition |
| Ville Kaunisto | Member of Parliament | Parliamentary Group of the National Coalition Party |
| Lea Konttinen | Senior Lead | Sitra |
| Johanna Lahti | Editor in Chief | Ilta-Sanomat |
| Maria Mekri | Executive Director | SaferGlobe |
| Jani Mäkelä | Member of Parliament | The Finns Party Parliamentary Group |
| Jussi Mäkinen | Director, EU Regulation | Teknologiateollisuus |
| Päivi Nerg | State Secretary | Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry |
| Elisa Newby | Head of Department | Bank of Finland |
| Maria Ohisalo | Member of Parliament | Green Parliamentary Group |
| Paula Pokkinen | Head of | Yle News |
| Maria Rautavirta | Director of Databusiness Unit, Senior Ministerial Adviser | Ministry of Transport and Communications |
| Petri Salminen | Chairman | Suomen Yrittäjät |
| Heli Siivola | Senior Specialist for EU Affairs, | Prime Minister’s Office |
| Totti Sivonen | Executive Director | European Movenment Finland |
| Sari Tanus | Member of Parliament | Christian Democratic Parliamentary Group |
| Ismo Ulvila | Head of Communications | European Commission’s Representation in Finland |
| Päivi Wood | Chief Policy Adviser | Confederation of Finnish Industries |
Sitra’s training courses have been bringing together Finnish decision-makers since 1977.Over the years, more than 2 500 decision-makers and influencers have participated in the leadership training for sustainable economic policy courses.
