Fourth Presidential Forum to discuss future of elderly care

Office of the President of the Republic of Finland Press Release 25 October 2007

President of the Republic Tarja Halonen will host a forum on elderly care and welfare society at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday, 30 October 2007. The theme of the fourth Presidential Forum is ‘Future of elderly care in Finland’.

People from different parts of society - political decision-makers and civil servants, voluntary and care professionals, researchers and representatives of civil society and the media - have been invited to participate in the forum.

In addition to President Halonen, speakers will include Minister of Health and Social Services Paula Risikko; Dr Vesa Vihriälä, State Under-Secretary for Economic Affairs, Prime Minister’s Office; Dr Vappu Taipale, Director General of STAKES; and Archiatre Risto Pelkonen. Journalist Tarmo Ropponen will serve as moderator.

The event is a continuation of the Presidential Forums arranged twice in the autumn 2006 and once in the spring 2007. Their themes were ‘Competitiveness of Finnish work’, ‘Skilled and innovative Finland’, and ‘Finland, Europe and the world – Finland’s foreign policy challenges and opportunities’.

The Finnish Broadcasting Company, YLE, will broadcast the Presidential Forum live on the internet and show the highlights of the forum the same day from 4-5 pm on TV1.