Speech by President of the Republic Tarja Halonen at the opening of the 14th Convocation of the International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences (CAETS) in Espoo on 12 June 2001

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Economic laws and the need to consider rapidly developing technology are more and more influencing governmental policies. National welfare and political and social stability are dependent on control of these factors.

Education and sustainable development are timely topics in international discussion concerning technology. Energy and information technology are in the spotlight. I wish to congratulate you. Your programme covers all these areas very well.

The theme of this convocation, World Forests and Technology, is of key importance. Finland's welfare is based largely on the forest branch and the information and telecommunications industry. Their development began in the last decades of the 19th century. We have been able to take advantage of a good level of education and have invested in research and product development. In spite of rapid structural change, political and social conditions are stable thanks to the Nordic welfare model.

Finland's forest branch is keeping up with the times. It makes effective use of both its own innovations and achievements in other fields of science and technology. Its basic raw material is renewable or recycled. Its products are biodegradable or recyclable. It constantly responds to changes in consumers' needs and the market and competition situation.

In the coming years the forest branch must be able to produce smarter materials for printed products and packaging with less and less virgin wood fibre. Global wood production cannot support an increase in paper consumption corresponding to population growth.

Climate change is the most significant environmental challenge of this century. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, it is no longer a question of whether climate is changing because of human activity, but how fast this change is taking place.

Climate change can be as expensive for humanity as large-scale nuclear war. Globally it has been estimated that climate change will reduce GDP by several percent. The cost of preventing climate change is clearly lower.

Global emissions should be reduced by 60-70% during the next 50-100 years. The industrialized countries should reduce their emissions by as much as 80% in 100 years. But the developing countries' emissions cannot be without limits either. Emissions in the developing countries may exceed those in the industrialized countries before the end of the present decade. The Kyoto protocol's goal of reducing emissions by 5% is modest.

The United States' commitment to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases is important. Finland unreservedly supports the demand that all countries ratify the Kyoto protocol.

Finland's forest branch needs energy and is known for the efficient use of energy. At present it is concerned about our country's basic energy solution.

Sufficiently reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and satisfying the demand for energy requires the utilization of all known energy resources. Technologically advanced countries must substantially reduce the use of fossil fuels and invest more in research on different kinds of clean energy.

Some say tha on this condition the developing countries can for a while continue to use cheaper fossil fuels and develop their own industrial infrastructure. Technology can globally promote equality, human rights and a better living environment. Technology is a good servant when it is wisely used. So we need political will, too.

Sustainable development is one of the biggest educational challenges for humanity. The principles of sustainable development must be put into practice in all sectors of society via young people. Understanding ecologically sustainable development has already found its place especially in the natural sciences. Values and ethics must also be in order.

Environmental and technological education should meet this challenge: it should promote the acceptance and utilization of modern phenomena, tolerance, world peace and sustainable development.

Technological education which leads to creative, active and independent study should be encouraged. We need technology experts who have internalized the requirements of the information society.

Previously the basics of technology were learned at home and on the job. This education was often sufficient for a lifetime. Rapid technological development has changed the situation. Both the older and younger generations need better understanding of technology. Schools must help parents to provide adequate information on the basics of technology and its effects on people and the environment.

Future objectives and skills to meet people's needs and wishes are being sought on all levels of society. In Finland both the private and public sectors bear their own responsibility for monitoring social changes. They also analyse these changes and take a stand on measures which managing the future requires.

In the Finnish Parliament this work is performed by the Committee for the Future. This committee recently recommended that technological education be introduced in our nation's comprehensive schools. The committee wanted to improve girls' and boys' technological literacy at a young age and in this way to ensure skilled resources for every area of society in the future.

Our dependence on technology is growing. According to a recent Finnish study, young people's attitude towards technology and industrial activity has grown more favourable. Some of them see industry as an interesting workplace and career possibility. This is an encouraging development. Young people want to live in harmony with nature, to show concern for preserving its vitality and richness for future generations. We must help them and do it ourselves, too.

The arranging of this convocation in Finland is an indication of the respect for the technologies used in our forestry and wood processing industries.

The Finnish Academies of Technology is hosting this convocation in a series of respected technology countries. The previous convocation was held in France in 1999 and the next will be held in the United States in 2003.

Promoting and understanding technology and industrial activity is indispensable to ensure sustainable development, a good environment, welfare and equality.

My best wishes for success!