THL commits itself to Government’s campaign against racism – racism can be eradicated only through concrete actions
In addition to participating in the campaign against racism, The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) supports work communities in learning new, anti-racist working methods.
Finnish society has always been diverse in terms of the population, and in the past few decades, this diversity has further increased as a result of immigration.
Studies indicate that racist discrimination is a significant societal problem in Finland. It is experienced both by persons who were born in Finland and by those who have moved here from elsewhere. For example, the MoniSuomi study revealed that, of all persons with a foreign background, especially those who have come from Africa and the Middle East experience discrimination based on ethnicity, origin and skin colour in the different fields of life.
The Prime Minister's Office has launched a campaign against racism in which all communities, companies, associations and organisations are invited to build an equitable Finland free of racism through concrete measures.
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) commits itself to this campaign against racism by listing concrete actions in the non-discrimination work of its own organisation. As one of the measures to be taken, THL’s personnel will complete an online course on anti-racism during 2025.
“In a non-discriminatory society, everyone should have the opportunity to realise their full potential, experience a sense of belonging and become part of different communities. Respecting diversity means that everyone is seen and valued in health and social services, educational institutions, hobbies and at work, among others,” says Development Manager Mona Eid.
THL supports work communities in anti-racist practices – organisations can apply to new training
New workforce is required as the demographic structure is changing. Diversity is already part of everyday life in many sectors and organisations, and the need to ensure non-discrimination at workplaces is becoming emphasised.
In addition to participating in the campaign against racism, THL supports work communities in learning new, anti-racist working methods.
A one-year free accelerator training on anti-racist practices will be organised in THL’s new project “Anti-racism capacity building: accelerating and mainstreaming”.
The accelerator process will be implemented during 2025. A wide range of organisations from different sectors can participate in it. The participants selected to join will receive targeted support and participate in the learning process to strengthen an anti-racist approach to work in their own organisation.
“We hope that a variety of organisations wanting to strengthen their anti-racist structures will participate in the accelerator. In the accelerator meetings, the participants will learn about anti-racism through multiple methods, work on and find solutions to a concrete problem in their own organisation, and network with other actors,” Eid explains.
The application process to the accelerator is open. Fifteen organisations will be selected to join the learning process. They will commit themselves to ten contact meetings, which will mainly be held in Helsinki between 29 November 2024 and 5 November 2025.
Apply to the accelerator process
Apply to the accelerator: call for applications and the application form (in Finnish)
The call for applications to the accelerator process will close on 28 October 2024.
On 9 October 2024, from 9.15 to 11.15, we will organise a Teams question time regarding the accelerator process to provide more information on the accelerator’s operation.
Enquiries:
Mona Eid (anti-racism and campaign launched by Prime Minister's Office)
Project Manager
THL
tel. +358 29 524 8707
[email protected]
Yacine Kalke (accelerator process)
Senior Planning Officer
THL
tel. +358 29 524 7029
[email protected]
Further reading:
Anti-racism capacity building: accelerating and mainstreaming
The accelerator process is implemented by the project “Anti-racism capacity building: accelerating and mainstreaming”. The project is funded by the European Union from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).
Online course on anti-racism for professionals (THL)
The open, independently completed course has been designed especially for professionals and students in the fields of health care and social services, education, and safety. However, it is useful for anyone looking to foster a more equal and non-discriminatory approach to their work.
Online report of the MoniSuomi study 2022: grounds of discrimination (in Finnish)
