Presidential Forum on skilled and innovative Finland

Office of the President of the Republic of Finland Press Release 10 November 2006

President of the Republic Tarja Halonen will host a forum on welfare society and education at the Presidential Palace on Thursday, 16 November 2006. The theme of the Presidential Forum is a skilled and innovative Finland, and the purpose of the Forum is to discuss the role and future of education in the Finnish welfare society.

People from different parts of society - political decision-makers and civil servants, representatives of business and workers' organizations, researchers, students and representatives of educational institutions - have been invited to participate in the forum.

In addition to President Halonen, speakers will include Professor Pekka Himanen; Ms Kirsi Lindroos, Director General of the National Board of Education; Professor Mauri Ylä-Kotola, Rector of the University of Lapland; and Mr Christoffer Taxell, President of the Board of the Confederation of Finnish Industries EK. The floor will also be open for discussion. Mr Tarmo Ropponen will serve as moderator.

This is the second Presidential Forum organised by President Tarja Halonen. The first Forum, held in August, discussed the competitiveness of Finnish work.

The Finnish Broadcasting Company, YLE, will broadcast the Presidential Forum live on the YLE24 channel from 10 to 11.35 and from 12 to 14.