Photo: Jaska Poikonen / 2024 Euroope Forum
The eighth annual Europe Forum will be held in Turku from August 27 to 29. The forum will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Finland’s EU membership. Themes of the 2025 Europe Forum include changes in the security policy environment, European competitiveness and the EU’s multiannual financial framework.
FIIA will participate in the Europe Forum in three different panels. The Europe Forum is open to everyone and free of charge. You can attend on-site or follow the program live online. All panels can be followed either in person in Turku or via livestream. Those attending in person are asked to register in advance due to limited venue capacity.
Europe in the New World Order – August 28 at 10:00
The first panel, “Europe in the New World Order”, will be held on Thursday, August 28 at 10:00 on the Small Stage. The panel is part of the RESLIDE research project, which seeks practical and impactful ways to safeguard democracy in a rapidly changing world. The discussion will focus on the global order and the state of democracy, as well as Europe’s role and the approaches of European states to today’s challenges. Speakers include FIIA’s Senior Research Fellow Sanna Salo, Senior Lecturer Kimmo Elo from the University of Eastern Finland, and Sutherland Full Professor in European Law Imelda Maher from University College Dublin. The discussion will be moderated by FIIA’s Programme Director Juha Jokela and Senior Lecturer Inga Saikkonen from Åbo Akademi University.
EU Partnerships in the Era of Predatory Great Powers – August 29 at 11:30
FIIA’s own panel, “EU Partnerships in the Era of Predatory Great Powers”, will be held on Friday, August 29 at 11:30 on the Main Stage. The EU’s ability to act is weakened by the erosion of the rules-based international order and intensified strategic competition. How can the EU strengthen its position in a world where multipolarity, power politics, and authoritarian regimes are gaining ground? Can the EU become an attractive partner in Africa and more broadly in the Global South? What is the role of values and development cooperation in the Union’s global strategy? The panel will feature CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation’s CEO Janne Taalas, FIIA Director Hiski Haukkala, and FIIA Senior Research Fellow Katariina Mustasilta. The moderator will be FIIA’s Programme Director Juha Jokela. The panel will be held in Finnish.
Europe’s Turn: What Is Europe’s Role in Global Geopolitical Transformation? – August 29 at 13:00
FIIA’s Programme Director Juha Jokela will also be on stage on Friday, August 29 at 13:00 in the panel “Europe’s Turn: What Is Europe’s Role in Global Geopolitical Transformation?”. The panel is organized by Eurooppalainen Suomi ry and Euroklubi ry. What is Europe’s place in the global geopolitical transformation? How can we ensure the survival of democracy within our borders and promote it beyond? Is Europe ready to take responsibility as a defender of democracy and the rules-based international system as the United States retreats from global leadership? These and other questions will be addressed by Juha Jokela, long-time MEP and former Vice-President of the European Parliament Heidi Hautala, and Director for Global Affairs at the European External Action Service Taneli Lahti. The panel will be moderated by Yle’s EU Correspondent Hannele Muilu.