Helsinki, 19 October 2026
Kuva: Younis Alshaikhalil.
“Belonging, Equality and Finding Your Voice in Finnish Democracy”
Dear friends,
Thank you for inviting me to this seminar. It is a pleasure to be here now with you, and especially with so many young people who are interested in democracy, participation and the future of our society. To begin with I would like to point out that Finland is also your country.
When we speak about democracy, we often begin with institutions: parliaments, elections, political parties and laws. These are, of course, important. But democracy is more than parliaments and elections. It begins in our everyday lives. It begins with the feeling that you belong to this country, that your voice matters, and that you are treated with dignity and respect.
For many young people, and particularly for those who have migrant backgrounds, this sense of belonging is established through experiences – when people listen to you, when you are welcomed into communities, and when you feel that you have a genuine opportunity to participate in society.
Finland has changed profoundly during my lifetime. That is a fact. When I started my studies, Finland was fairly uniform, although there were minorities also then. I am referring to the swedish-speaking people, the Sami and the Romany.
Today, our society is more diverse than ever before. Diversity is a reality to be understood and a strength to be developed. Different life experiences, languages, cultures and perspectives enrich our common society. We are stronger when more people feel that they have a place within our society.
At the same time, I am concerned about the challenges we face. Racism, discrimination and hate speech are still part of everyday life for too many people. We must remember, however, that the loud and hateful voice of one person does not represent the views of the majority. And we must never let these vicious voices make us feel that we do not belong here or that our views do not matter.
As I already said, democracy is not only about elections or institutions. It is also about how we treat one another in our daily lives. It is about listening, respecting differences and making sure that everyone can participate. When some voices are silenced or pushed aside, our democracy becomes weaker.
We must remember that equality and human rights are not privileges to be granted to some, but rights that belong to all of us.
When we talk about participation in democracy, we often think first of elections. Voting is both a right and a responsibility. I encourage everyone who has the right to vote to use that right. Every vote counts and every vote matters.
But there are also many ways to participate. We can ask questions, exchange views, join associations, work in our local communities or stand up for issues that we believe are important. We do not have to agree on everything. In fact, disagreement is a natural part of democracy. What matters is that we are willing to listen to one another and treat one another with respect. If you’re a student, get involved in the students’ union’s activities. If you are in working life, join the trade union.
For me, democracy is at its best when people do not simply wait for others to solve problems, but come together and ask: what can we do? Because democracy belongs to all of us, and it becomes stronger when everyone can take part.
I often hear that political institutions are distant and far away from people’s everyday lives. I understand that feeling. Institutions may sometimes appear slow, complex or difficult to approach. This feeling is shared also by many Finns. We have to remember that democratic change often begins when citizens bring forward new ideas, challenge old assumptions and insist that society can do better.
History shows that progress rarely happens when people remain silent. It happens because individuals and groups decide that they have something important to say and the courage to say it.
For young people with migrant backgrounds, I would particularly like to emphasize this point. Your experiences matter. Your perspectives matter. Your participation matters.
I should say: get involved. You should not wait for someone to give you permission to care about the future of Finland. If you live here, study here, work here and build relationships here – if you contribute to your communities here, – then Finland is also your society. The future of our country will be shaped by all of us living here.
As Finland approaches the parliamentary elections in 2027, there will be many debates discussing the direction of our country. Such debates are normal and healthy in a democracy. My hope is that you will engage in these discussions openly and critically. Listen to different viewpoints. Ask difficult questions. Seek reliable information. And most importantly, think for yourselves.
Democracy needs citizens who think differently. Democracy needs citizens who participate, who care, and who take responsibility for the shared future.
I would like to conclude with a message of encouragement.
Never underestimate the importance of your own voice. You may not always change people’s minds immediately. You may encounter setbacks or frustrations. But participation itself matters. Every generation leaves its mark on society, and the future is always partly shaped by those who are willing to become involved.
Democracy is ultimately a collective project. It belongs to all of us. And like all important projects, it requires patience, dialogue, courage and hope.
I wish you a productive seminar, thoughtful discussions and the confidence to continue making your voices heard.
And I hope you will make new friends here today!
Thank you.