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Independence Day message from the President 2016

Message from the President of the Republic Mr Sauli Niinistö to Finnish expatriate communities on Finland’s 99th Independence Day 6th December 2016.

Photo: Office of the Republic of the President of Finland

2016 Message to Finnish expatriate communities

The President's Independence Day Reception on 6. December 2016 photograph of President Sauli Niinistö and his spouse Jenni Haukio

Flag day of Expatriate Finns 5. August

(English translation to come)

Ulkosuomalaiset ovat toivoneet liputuspäivää ulkosuomalaisuudelle parlamentti-istunnon päätöslauselmin (34/2015; 29/2012). Ulkosuomalaisuuden merkkipäivä 5. elokuuta olisi myös osoitettu lipun symbolilla vapaaehtoiseksi liputuspäiväksi almanakassa ja Valtiokalenterissa.

Maamme omaleimaisuus ja kansainvälisyys juontuu maastamuutosta ja paluumuutosta. Tunnemme kaikki, tai olemme itse, joko tulevia, nykyisiä tai entisiä ulkosuomalaisia. Ulkosuomalaisuus ansaitsee oman merkkipäivänsä, joka sitoo kansakuntaa yhteen, maan rajoista riippumatta. Ulkosuomalaisuuden päivän sanoma on, että suomalaiset yhdessä muodostavat maailmanlaajuisen verkoston.

Liputtakaamme 5.8. yhdessä ulkosuomalaisuuden päiväksi, 100-vuotiaan Suomen kunniaksi vuonna 2017 (20-vuotiaan ulkosuomalaisparlamentin perustamispäivänä)! Ulkosuomalaisuuden merkkipäivää edistetään kannustamalla liputustavan käyttöönottoon maailmalla ja Suomessa!

Jokaisella suomalaisella on oikeus liputtaa kansallislipulla aina, kun hän näkee liputuksen aiheelliseksi. Liputus aloitetaan aamulla klo 8 ja lopetetaan auringon laskiessa, kesällä viimeistään klo 21.

Suomessa on kuusi virallista liputuspäivää, vaalipäivien ja presidentin toimeenastumispäivän lisäksi. Muita eli ns. vakiintuneita liputuspäiviä on 13. Otollisena, kesäisenä liputuskuukautena elokuussa ei Suomen kalenterissa ole ainuttakaan liputuspäivää. Suomen lippu on kaunis katsella. Liputtamalla 5.8. kodeissa, kouluissa ja järjestöissä, voimme me ulkosuomalaiset ja Suomessa asuvat liputtaa ulkosuomalaisuuden päivän yhdessä meille kaikille.

Finnish Expatriate Parliament handbook updated

The Finnish Expatriate Parliament Handbook has been uppdated.

The FEP Handbook was originally written by Deputy speaker Veli J. Ylänkö, Canada, in 2002. The Handbook was modified after the 6. session in 2010, and uppdated in January 2013. This newest uppdate bears the date September 2016. Changes and additions are incorporated so that they are easy to trace. The regional operating policies of four FEP regions have been added as attachments.

Read and download here (only in Finnish): USP_kasikirja_2016

ID CARD FROM FINNISH EMBASSY IN THE FUTURE

(päivitetty 4.1.2017)

Vuoden 2017 alusta eli 1.1.2017 lähtien ulkosuomalaisten asema parani, kun ulkoasiainministeriö laajensi Suomen kansalaisen henkilökorttien myöntöoikeuden kaikkiin Suomen edustustoihin, jotka myöntävät passeja - samalla kun Suomen poliisin lisäksi henkilökortteja saavat ensimmäistä kertaa myöntää lisäksi myös Suomen ulkomaan edustustot. Aiemman, syksyn 2016 tilanteen mukaan myöntöoikeus olisi rajoittunut Euroopassa toimiviin Suomen ulkomaan edustustoihin eli alueella jolla henkilökortti käy matkustusasiakirjana (EU:n jäsenvaltioissa, Schengen-sopimusta noudattavissa maissa).

Pohjoismaissa (Ruotsi, Norja, Tanska ja Islanti) ei tarvita matkustusasiakirjaa, mutta henkilön on aina vaadittaessa kyettävä osoittamaan henkilöllisyytensä ja se, että hän on jonkin Pohjoismaan kansalainen.

Suomen poliisi perii henkilökortista 54 €. Edustustojen perimä 90 € on hieman alle kustannusvastaava hinta. Vuoden 2017 aikana odotetaan, että kuitenkin henkilökortin saisi edustustoista 50 % halvemmalla, jos sen hakee yhtä aikaa passin kanssa. Alennus riippuu siitä, laajeneeko Poliisin palveluvalikoima passin ja henkilökortin samanaikaisella haulla.

Toinen uudistus on, että samalla henkilökortin hakuprosessi muuttuu passin tavoin sähköiseksi! Henkilökortin hakuprosessia joustavoitetaan vastaavalla tavalla kuin passin osalta on jo tehty. Hakemuksen voi edelleen laittaa vireille henkilökohtaisesti Poliisin kanssa asioiden, mutta nyt voi lisäksi valita sähköisenkin asiointipalvelun. Sähköinen asiointi ei kuitenkaan ole mahdollista edustustoissa. Valmis henkilökortti toimitetaan Suomessa suoratoimituksena henkilökorttivalmistajalta hakijalle, jolloin hakija voi noutaa henkilökortin yksityisen palveluntuottajan toimipisteestä.

Edustustoissa voidaan myöntää tavallinen, matkustusasiakirjaksi EU-alueella kelpaava henkilökortti. Edustustot eivät myönnä alaikäisen henkilökortteja, ulkomaalaisen henkilökortteja, eivätkä väliaikaisia henkilökortteja. Huom.! alaikäinen voi saada em. tavallisen henkilökortin, jos hänen huoltajansa antavat siihen suostumuksen. Ulkomaalaisen henkilökortti voidaan jatkossa myöntää kaikille oleskeluluvan ja kotikunnan saaneille.

Henkilökorttiuudistus tuo moninaista hyötyä ulkomailla asuvalle suomalaiselle. Klikkaa otsikkoa lukeaksesi lisää tästä tärkeästä uudistuksesta.

Speakers' Council Autumn meeting 2016

The Speakers' Council of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament will hold its autumn meeting in Helsinki on Thursday and Friday 20.-21. October 2016.

The responsibility of the Presidium is to advance the resolutions adopted by earlier sessions and other matters important to Finns living outside Finland. Press the title line to read more about the visits with different ministers and with the chairmen of various Committees of the Parliament.

The agenda of the Presidium contains also the Regional reports of the eight Deputy speakers, the development of the resolutions of the 2015 session, as well as follow-up of the advancement of the 'Government's expatriate Finnish political program for years 2017-2021'. Under work is also the FEP's 20th jubilee session next summer on the 16. and 17. June 2017 - which will be organised during the 100th anniversary year of our national independence. A day before the session on the 15. June 2017 a Finland 100 Worldwide concert will be held. Both the session and the concert of expatriate Finnish culture will be held in the same premisesa the Festive hall of the Old Building of the University of Helsinki.

FEP 20th anniversary session in June 2017

The 9. session of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament is also its 20th anniversary session. The two-day long session will be held on Friday and Saturday 16.-17. June 2017, at the Old Main Building of the University of Helsinki, by the Senate Square. The plenary takes Place the university's Festive Hall while the Committees will work in the adjacent auditoriums. The festive session takes place during Finland's 100th national independence anniversary celebration year, when also the FEP secretariat Finland Society turns 90 years.

2017_timeline_jubilee_session
Timeline of Jubilee Session preparations

The ninth session has its own event page in Facebook here. Click there 'Interested' to begin receiving event updates. Furthermore, FEP's very own organisational Facebook page is also useful. Click there 'Tykkää'/'Like' to be notified about new entries.

On Thursday 15. June FEP Regions will hold their Regional meetings early in the Morning . Then there is at 10am a celebratary service at the Helsinki Cathedral. Thursdays other side program (from midday onwards) includes Senior Seminar and Suomi-koulu seminar.

Morever, on Thursday evening 15. June we will celebrate at the University's Festive Hall expatriate Finnish culture of the 100-year old Finland. The 'Finland 100 Worldwide Concert' at 5.30-8pm (entry fee) is organised by Finland 100 Worldwide where the Finnish Expatriate Parliament and Finland Society joined with Finnish network partners. More about Finland 100 Worldwide on our opening page.

Grants to expat (youth) organisations

Did you know that irrespective of membership in Finland Society, a Finnish expatriate organisation can apply for the organisation, youth and student organisation grants of the Finland Society.

The applications must be with Finland Society by the deadline day of September 30, 2016. Delayed applications will not be processed. Please send in your application in good time, containing as precise information as possible and with required attachements. Do note down your bank account number in IBAN form - this speeds up grant payment. The next possibility to apply for organisation and youth organisation grants is at the end of February 2017.

NB! Finnish expatriate media, organisational magazines and homepages: end of February 2017 is also the deadline for information grants, given only once a year.

More information and application forms: www.suomi-seura.fi - Grants. Application forms in case you cannot print them from the internet, and more information also directly from Finland Society: info@suomi-seura.fi, tel. +358-9-6841 210, fax +358-9-6841 2140.

FEP joins the SuomiAreena 11.-15.7. in Pori

Finnish Expatriate Parliament and Finland Society joined the SuomiAreena in Pori, 11.-15. July 2016. There were more visitors than ever: 63.000.

This year the theme of SuomiAreena in the west coast city of Pori was FINNISH WORK AND CIVIL SOCIETY ACTIVITY.

The Finnish Expatriate Parliament and its permanent secretariat the Finland Society had a joint visitors' reception tent all week on Kansalaistori square. People came to chat and obtain information about how the Finland Society helps Finns in moving abroad, in living abroad and in questions related to returning in Finland! We told about how joining the Finland Society as an individual or as an organisational member simultaneously helps the Finnish Expatriate Parliament which brings the wishes and needs of Finns abroad to Finland's decision makers.

Our Market Quarter (Torivartti) on Kansalaistori square's MTV3 main stage on Wednesday 13.7. at 4pm - 4.20pm entertained with a quizz "Do you want to become an expat Finn?", being a show following a well-known TV quizz. Our host was a journalist, former MTV correspondent Kari Lumikero who grilled Member of Parliament Ben Zyskowicz.

The show kickstarted with band Viva Melancolia's 'Sijamuotosamba' (Grammatical case samba). This Brussels based band creates Finnish language "world music" by combining Kalevala song poetry with Latino rhythms. Their Pori team: Antti Maunu: acoustic guitar and singer, Jari-Matti Riiheläinen: electric basso, Aleksi Maunu: okarina fluit. 'Sijamuoto-samba': comp. Antti Maunu, words Antti Maunu-Elena Savia. 'Kuluu ikä laulamattaki' (Life runs out also without singing): comp. Antti Maunu, words adopted from Kanteletar.

Watch in Facebook our SuomiAreena's Torivartti film "Do you want to become an expat Finn?" (Viva Melancolia and the quizz in two separate recordings).
Facebook: @Ulkosuomalaisparlamentti
www.suomi-seura.fi
http://suomiareena.fi

The theme of summer 2017 is FINLAND'S CENTENARY ANNIVERSARY. Come with us to Pori's SuomiAreena next year!

New managing director to Finland Society

31.5.2016

TINA STRANDBERG APPOINTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SUOMI-SEURA

Master of Social Sciences Tina Strandberg has been appointed Executive Director of Suomi-Seura ry (The Finland Society). Suomi-Seura, established in 1927 and based in Helsinki, Finland, is an interest group providing expertise and service to Finns living or moving abroad or returning to Finland. It also acts as the Secretariat of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament, established in 1997 at the initiative of Suomi-Seura.

Currently Tina Strandberg holds the position of Head of Administration in the City of Kauniainen. Previously she worked as Deputy Head of Administration of the City of Kauniainen. In 2002 – 2005 Strandberg worked as Secretary of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament at Suomi-Seura.

Tina Strandberg will begin in her new position on September 1, 2016.
Strandberg’s predecessor, Master of Arts, MBA Paula Selenius will retire in October 2016. Selenius has worked as Executive Director of Suomi-Seura since June 1996.

More information from Finland Society: press director Leena Isbom, tel. 09 - 684 12123, 050 - 516 4462, leena.isbom@suomi-seura.fi.

Tina Strandberg. Photo: Finland Society/Leena Isbom

Speakers' Council Spring meeting 2016: summary

(English translation to come)

Ulkosuomalaisparlamentin puhemiehistö kokoontui Helsinkiin kaksipäiväiseen kevätkokoukseensa torstaina ja perjantaina 21.-22. huhtikuuta 2016, ulkosuomalaisten edunajotyöhön edistämään istuntojen hyväksymiä päätöslauselmia.

Tiivistä vierailuohjelmaa väritti kokouksen alla saatu työvoitto: istuva hallitus oli budjettiriihessään tehnyt poliittisen päätöksen tukea ulkosuomalaisten äänestysmahdollisuuksien parantamista: kirjeäänestysoikeus ulkosuomalaisille kansallisissa vaaleissa toteutetaan valtiontalouden vuosien 2017-2020 kehyspäätöksen sisällä siten, että kirjeäänestyksen toteuttamiseen ja tietojärjestelmien muutokseen on osoitettu määräraha 1,12 miljoonaa euroa vuosille 2018-2019. Oikeusministeriö voi nyt ryhtyä lainvalmisteluun (vaalilain muutos).

Toinen huomionarvoinen ja erittäin ajankohtainen teema on USP:n aseman vakiinnuttaminen ja turvaaminen saattamalla se lainsäädännön piiriin. Edistäessään asiaa vuoden 2015 täysistunnon päätöslauselman no. 39 mukaisesti, puhemiehistö tapasi ulkosuomalaisten oman vastuuministeriön Sisäministeriön Maahanmuutto-osaston osastopäällikön, ylijohtaja Jorma Vuorion. USP:n aseman uudelleenarvioinnista keskusteltiin niinikään tiiviisti eduskunnan puhemies Maria Lohelan kanssa. USP:n puhemiehistö korosti esimerkein USP:n merkitystä ulkosuomalaisia koskevien asioiden edistäjänä ja edunajofoorumina. Koska ulkosuomalaisparlamentti on ulkosuomalaisten ääni ja yhdysside Suomeen, puhemies Lohella ehdotettiin, että ulkosuomalaisparlamentin aseman virallistaminen ja turvaaminen olisi kansallisen itsenäisyyden merkkivuonna 2017 sovelias eduskunnan 100-vuotisjuhlavuoden päätös.

Puhemiehistö toimii jo tiedotuskanavana kumpaankin suuntaan Suomen 100-vuotisjuhlavuoden valmisteluissa. Tuen ja tiedon tarve ulkosuomalaisten parissa on ilmeinen. Maailmalla asuvien suomalaisten paikallisia juhlavuoden hankkeita on jo tiedossa useita satoja (noin 800). Suomi tarvitsee ikkunan tuodakseen niitä esille yhdessä ulkosuomalaisten kanssa.

Suomen juhliessa itsenäisyytensä 100. vuotta, järjestämme ulkosuomalaisparlamentin 20-vuotisjuhlaistunnon 16.-17.6.2017.

USP:n kaksipäiväistä juhlaistuntoa edeltävänä iltana pidetään Ulkosuomalaisen kulttuurin juhla torstaina 15.6.2017 Helsingin yliopiston päärakennuksen juhlasalissa. Maksullisen juhlan ajankohta on noin klo 17-20. Juhla on ikkuna ulkosuomalaiseen kulttuuriin.

Iltajuhlan tarjoaa Suomi 100 Maailmalla. Suomi 100 Maailmalla on Suomi-Seura ry:n, Suomen ev.lut. kirkon ulkosuomalaistyön/kirkkohallituksen ja Siirtolaisuusinstituutin yhteinen hanke, ja osa Suomen itsenäisyyden juhlavuoden Suomi 100 -ohjelmaa. Hanketta tukevat myös ulkoasiainministeriö ja Merimieskirkko ry. Klikkaa otsikkoa lukeaksesi lisää.

PREPRATIONS FOR LETTER VOTING TO START

SUOMI-SEURA RY & ULKOSUOMALAISPARLAMENTTI

TIEDOTUSVÄLINEILLE

Julkaisuvapaa heti 15.4.2016

Suomen hallitus on huhtikuussa pitämässään kehysriihessä kohdistanut kirjeäänestyksen aloittamiseen yhteensä 1,12 miljoonan euron rahoituksen vuosiksi 2018 – 2019. Kirjeäänestys on suunniteltu otettavan käyttöön vuoden 2019 eduskuntavaaleista lähtien. Kirjeäänestyksen tarkoitus on parantaa ulkomailla asuvien ja tilapäisesti oleskelevien äänioikeutettujen äänestysmahdollisuuksia.

Kehysriihipäätöksen myötä oikeusministeriö voi aloittaa kirjeäänestyksen käyttöönottoon johtavan lainvalmistelun sekä tarvittavien tietojärjestelmien kehittämisen.

Suomi-Seura ry ja ulkosuomalaisparlamentti ovat 15 vuoden ajan kampanjoineet kirjeäänestyksen sallimiseksi ulkosuomalaisille. Ulkosuomalaisten äänestysprosentti on pysynyt noin 8 – 12 prosentissa. Syynä tähän ovat pääasiassa pitkät ja kalliit matkat äänestyspaikoille erityisesti pinta-alaltaan suurissa maissa. Ulkosuomalaisia äänioikeutettuja on yli 242 000.

Ulkokansalaisten kirjeäänestys on käytössä ainakin 47 maassa, muun muassa Ruotsissa. Ruotsin ulkokansalaisten äänestysprosentti on kirjeäänestyksen käyttöönoton myötä noussut 8 - 10 prosentista viimeisimpien Ruotsin vaalien 41 prosenttiin.

Lehdistotiedote_15-4-2016_Suomi-Seura_ja_USP

Speakers' Council spring meeting 2016

The Speakers' Council of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament will hold its spring meeting in Helsinki on Thursday and Friday 21.-22. April 2016. Double-click the title to read more.

DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THE STATEMENTS THAT

...the Finnish Expatriate Parliament prepares annually statements about Government propositions for bills (draft laws) which influence the living conditions of expatriate Finns and involve matters important to them? The statements are typically made together with Finland Society which provies the parliament its permanent secretariat. Our statements are respeced and judging by results, the Finnish Expatriate Parliament is also listened to.

You will find our latest statement here below. It concerns a draft bill aiming to change Law on foreigners.

Our earlier statements include among others: 'Government proposition to the Parliament for law on changing law on consular services and some related laws' (2.10.2014)(only in Finnish):
Lausunto_konsulipalvelulaki_USP_ja_SuomiSeura

and 'Government proposition to the Parliament for law on identity cards and on changing some related laws' (10.12.2015)(only in Finnish):
Lausunto_henkilokorttilaki_USP_ja_SuomiSeura

To our recent important statements include also our own 'Proposal on realisation letter voting to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament 30.10.2014 (see below, in Finnish, or read directly here in Finnish).

STATEMENT ON BILL TO CHANGE LAW ON FOREIGNERS

Finnish Minstry of Interior has prepared a draft for a bill by the Government to change law on foreigners. Finnish Expatriate Parliament and Finland Society have prepared on 19.2.2016 a joint Statement on this bill. The Statement asks the Ministry of Interior not to apply the law to residency permit and family reunification applications by Finnish and Nordic citizens.
Lausunto ulkomaalaislaki

Grants to expat (youth) organisations & media

Did you know that irrespective of membership in Finland Society, a Finnish expatriate organisation can apply for the organisation, youth and student organisation and media grants of the Finland Society. The applications must be with Finland Society by the deadline day of Febuary 29, 2016. The next possibility to apply for organisation and youth organisation grants is at the end of September 2016. NB! February is the deadline for Finnish expatriate media, as well as organisational magazine and homepage grants, which are given only once a year.

More information and application forms: www.suomi-seura.fi - Grants. Application forms and more information also directly from Finland Society: info@suomi-seura.fi, tel. +358-9-6841 210, fax +358-9-6841 2140.

Independence Day message from the President 2015

Message from the President of the Republic of Finland Mr Sauli Niinistö to Finnish expatriate communities on Finland’s 98th Independence Day 6th December 2015.

2015_Message_to_Finnish_expatriate_communities

FEP jubilee session 2017

The 9. session of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament is also its 20th anniversary session. It will be held in year 2017 during Finland's 100th independence anniversary celebration year. The parliament session will take place at the Old Main Building of the University of Helsinki on Friday and Saturday 16.-17. June 2017.

Schedule of preparations for the 9th session (print version):
2017_aikataulujana

The Facebook event page of the 9. session is here.

On Thursday 15. June FEP Regions will hold their Regional meetings. There is also a celebratary service at the Helsinki Cathedral, and other side program, that is, Suomi-koulu seminar and Senior seminar.

Morever, we will then celebrate at the University's Festive Hall expatriate Finnish culture of the 100-year old Finland.

FEP MEMBER SURVEY 2014

To be able to carry on our work and continue to serve Finnish expatriate interests abroad and in Finland, the Finnish Expatriate Parliament needs the viewpoint of its every member organization on our work. The last FEP survey was done in 2004, so it was high time we gathered opinions and experiences in the member organisation Survey 2014. By following its feedback and development suggestions, we will prepare best for the Finnish Expatriate Parliament 20th anniversary, which we celebrate during Finland's Centennial celebrations in 2017. Our member survey closed in summer 2014. Thank you to all of the 84 expatriate Finnish organisations who participated in our questioning about FEP activities. Those answering are experienced in FEP work, have participated in FEP plenary sessions or are interested in furthering interests of expatriate Finns both in Finland and in their home countries.

Read here, how with help of its results cast a view into the future:
USP-järjestökysely 2014

Speakers' Council autumn meet 2015: summary

The Speakers' Council fo the Finnish Expatriate Parliament convened in its two-day autumn meet in Helsinki on 19.-20. October 2015. In the advancement work of the resolutions adopted by the parliament, focus was on most urgent and current matters and thematic groups of matters. The meetings were held at ministerial, state secretary and parliamentary committee chair levels.

In the tail waters of the meeting, careful optimism surfaced about the updating of the Government's expatriate Finnish program 2012-2016, regarding the review of the position of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament, and even conserning letter voting right in national elections. What is certain, is that the FEP will be needed in these economically dire times, in order to safeguard the teaching of language and culture of expatriate children and youth, and to guarantee the conditions of operation of the Finnish comprehensive schools abroad (6) and of the language teaching Suomi Schools (numbering about 140, with ca. 4000 children).

The next Finnish Expatriate Parliament session was decided to be held in June 2017. The ninth plenary, our 20th anniversary session, will meet Fri-Sat 16.-17.6.2015 at University of Helsinki main building. On the previous evening on 15.6.2017 expatriate Finnish culture will be celebrated at the University's Festive Hall.

Speakers' Council autumn meet 2015

When the Finnish Expatriate Parliament Speakers' Council held its Autumn meeting in Helsinki on the 19th and 20th of October, part of the official program was an open FEP information and lobbying event at the Parliament's Infocentre ULKOSUOMALAISTEN ASIALLA, SUOMEN HYVÄKSI ('Working for Expat Finns, for Finland') on Tuesday 20. October 2015 at 2.30 - 3.30 pm:

The Finnish Expatriate Parliament, its permanent secretariat the Finland Society and Member of parliament Ms Sari Sarkomaa along with National Coalition Party offered, for starters of the parliament's autumn, to MEPs, their assistants and to everyone interested important information to expatriate Finns and Finland: how to secure the language and culture teaching and school conditions for expatriate Finnish children. Another topic was rate of elecetion participation and how it can be raised for expatriate Finns by immediate implementation of letter (postal) voting rights to expatriate Finns in national elections.

Representatives of all the eight parliamentary party groups participated in the event, relaying official commentary speeches of their parliamentary caucuses on matters important to expatriate Finns:
Center Party group: Mr Olavi Ala-Nissilä
The Finns group: Ms Maria Tolppanen
National Coalition Party group: Ms Sari Sarkomaa
Social Democratic group: Ms Eeva-Johanna Eloranta
The Green group: Ms Krista Mikkonen
Left Alliance group: Mr Matti Semi
Swedish group: Ms Eva Biaudet
Christian Democratic group: Ms Sari Tanus

(See also: Facebook.com/Ulkosuomalaisparlamentti)

Finnish Expatriate Parliament session in May 2015

The 8th session of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament convened in Helsinki at the University of Helsinki old main building by the Senate Square on 22.-23.5.2015. The plenary session sections undewent and the festive speeches were heard at the beautiful Grand Hall. All information about the 2015 session is on these home pages at www.usp.fi > Session 2015. For example the session minutes describe the statements made and the process, containing also the festive speeches and the participant list.

For the purposes of Committee work the 187 session participants (141 representants of expatriate Finnish organisations and their 46 official observers) divided into eight different committees. The resolutions were passed after plenary discussion and voting. Invited guests participated in the plenary session opening and media as well as expatriate Finnish press were present.

The meaning of this expatriate Finnish forum lays in that in May the parliament session accepted 41 resolutions with their backgrounds. Since year 1997 the eight parliament sessions brought together from all over the world hundreds of expat Finnish organisations which had ratified the FEP by-laws. These have submitted for the handling of the session motions which the plenary session changes, dismisses or adopts as the parliament's actually effective resolutions.

The resolutions of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament form a weighty and strong expatriate Finnish voice to Finland's decision makers and legislators.

The 2015 session resolutions will on October 27, 2015 be handed over to the Government at Prime Minister Juha Sipilä's" Office to his deputy State Secretary Paula Lehtomäki, for circulating them for comments by the Finnish Government.

We thank the 11 invited exhibition participants who introduced themselves and distributed information and services tailored for expatriate Finns: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Consular Services, Finnish Centre for Pensions, Finnish Immigration Service, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland abroad, the Finnish Seamen’s Mission, Institute of Migration, Union of Friendship Associations in Finland, Kulkuri School of Distance Education, Hostelling International Finland, Victor Ek removals and jeweller Tarkkanen/Jean Sibelius collection.  

Did you know that Radio Rapu took the Parliament session to the radio?

The whole second day of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament plenary session was broadcasted in radio. Therefore you can still listen to, wherever and whenever, the exciting discussions of over the second-day plenary session: the resolution proposals that ended into 41 accepted resolutions, guest parliamentarian Pekka Haavisto's speech and FEP Speaker Mr Jarmo Virmavirta's closing words of the 8. session. The recordings open here: FEP radio broadcast

With this radio recording sound track, the Private and independent Radio Rapu took the parliament session back to the radio after 10 years of absence since the state YLE Radio Finland ended its service in year 2005.

ANNUAL LETTER TO MEMBER ORGANISATIONS 2014

An end-of-year 2014 review letter sent to all Finnish expatriate organisations which participate in the activities of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament. We are sorry that due to address picking system not all have yet received it. You can read the Year Letter 2014 here as well (English translation under preparation):
Vuosikirje 2014

Peaceful Christmas and Happy New Year 2015

Finnish Expatriate Parliament wishes all expatriate Finns, their families and friends of Finland a Peaceful Christmas and Happy New Year 2015!
Rauhaisaa joulua - God jul - Merry Christmas

We will meet at our eighth plenary session in May 2015 in Helsinki!

Independence Day message from the President 2014

Message from the President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö to Finnish expatriate communities on Independence Day 6. December 2014.

2014 Presidential message ENG

PROPOSAL FOR THE REALISATION OF LETTER VOTING

Finnish Expatriate Parliament and Finland Society passed on 30.10.2014 to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament their proposal on how letter voting model for expatriate Finns could be realised in Finland in national elections. The proposal (attached in full) also explains how letter voting has been managed in a country comparable to Finland, in Sweden. Finland Society and FEP suggest a rapid realisation of letter votinig, which demands change of Law on Elections (714/1998) and a budget allocation for this purpose. - The Committee of Foreign Affairs report accompanying the law it supported in December 2014 takes well into the account FEP's ponts and worries.

Download for reading: Ehdotus kirjeäänestyksen toteuttamiseksi

Speakers' Council Autumn meeting 2014: summary

The Autumn meeting of the Speakers' Council of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament was held on 23.-24. October, 2014. The Speakers discussed matters topical to expatriate Finns and met with decision makers central to the advocacy work, this time the Chairmen of eight largest political parties of the Finnish Parliament. Double click the title to read more.

CHANGES TO CONSULAR LEGISLATION: STATEMENTS

Finnish Expatriate Parliament and Finland Society have given two separate statements concerning suggestion for changing the consular services law.

After these, on 21. October 2014, was completed the report (view) of the Parliament's Foreign Affairs Commitee (UaVM 12/2014). The committee is in favour of accepting the bill and it will be ratified into law as soon as possible. The report of the Foreign Affairs Committee UaVM 12/2014 from here

The statements of FEP and Finland Society have been taken into account in it very well!

The law change is linked to the need of Ministry of Foreign Affairs to renew its foreign representation network which includes diplomatic and consular representations. The FEP and Finland Society central message is that the reorganised consular service network must remain functional and reachable and contain all necessary knowledge and skills. We stress also the need of local presence. Additionally, at shrinking of services on offer, we underline new solutions such as importance of electronic engagement as is linked to the problem of passport pricing structure, and in the case of expat Finn voting, we advocate letter voting.

It is worth mentioning separately, the in the hearing of the parliament Foreign affairs committee on 2. October 2014, committee members expressed a strong standing on behalf of importance of letter voting and linked preparations.

The first statement on Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposal was given to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 23. May 2014. The statement of 2. May 2014 to the Foreign affairs council of the Parliament was delivered on the same day as the hearing.

New parliamentary secretary

The current parliamentary secretary Tina Nordqvist ended her eight-year long service on August 1st, 2014. Best of luck to Tina in her new responsibilities!

The new parliamentary secretary from September 1st 2014 onwards is MSc Sini Castrén.

Speakers' Council Spring Meeting 2014: Summary

The Finnish Expatriate Parliament's Speakers' Council held its Spring meeting in Helsinki on May 8th and 9th 2014. The Speakers Council met with representatives from the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Education, the national public service broadcasting company (Yle) and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. In addition, the Speakers met with the general secretary of the Finnish Independence Centennial Celebrations, Mr. Hannu Hyttinen.

Speakers' Council Spring Meeting 2014

The Finnish Expatriate Parliament Speakers' Council holds its Spring meeting in Helsinki on the 8th and 9th of May.

INTERNET VOTING POLL ON otakantaa.fi

A working group has been commissioned by the Ministry for Justice to come up with a proposal on Internet voting in Finnish national elections and municipal referendums. A poll on the otakantaa.fi web site allows you to give your opinion.

FEP: EXPATRIATE VOTERS COUNT!

The Finnish Expatriate Parliament, in a letter to all the political parties in Finland today on April 2, 2014, calls for the parties to pay greater attention to expatriate voters in their election campaigns and voter information.

PASSPORT LAW CHANGE OF 1.12.2014 AND FEP STATEMENT

The Finnish Expatriate Parliament and Finland Society's statement on 11.3.2014 regarding the Ministry of the Interior's proposal to amend the passport law and the law regarding the handling of personal data by the police.

Meeting with Minister for Justice Henriksson

Representatives for the FEP met with Finnish Minister for Justice, Ms. Henriksson on January 16th 2014 to discuss postal voting, voting from abroad and the newly founded working group on Internet voting.

FEP Yearly Newsletter 2013

The Finnish Expatriate Parliament's yearly newsletter, sent to all FEP member organizations by e-mail on December 19th, 2013.

Ministry for Justice looks into Internet voting

The Finnish Ministry for Justice has appointed a working group to examine the possibility to allow Internet voting at national elections as well as advisory referendums on a municipal level.

Message from the President of Finland 2013

Message from the President of the Republic of Finland to Finnish expatriate communities on 6 December 2013

Speakers' Council Autumn meet 2013: summary

The Speakers' Council of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament held its Fall Meeting in Helsinki on October 10 and 11. The meeting was the first led by the Finland Society's new chairman Jarmo Virmavirta after his election i April 2013. The Finland-Society chairman automatically acts ad Speaker for the FEP.

On the agenda were both meetings with parties concerned with topical expatriate issues but also internal discussions on the parliament's work and future.

Speakers' Council Autumn meet 2013

The Speakers' Council of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament holds its Fall Meeting in Helsinki on October 10 to 11. The Finland Society chairman Jarmo Virmavirta also acts as Speaker for the meeting for the first time. Mr Virmavirta was elected new chairman of the Finland-Society and thus Speaker of the FEP in April 2013.

The Government's new Program for Expatriate Finns

The Finnish Government has approved a new Government Policy Programme for Expatriate Finns. The Programme is valid for the current Government's term of office (2012-2016).

Speakers' Council Minutes

The Finnish Expatriate Parliament's Speakers' Council held its Spring Meeting in Helsinki on April 15th - 16th, 2013.

Speakers' Council Spring meet: Summary

The Speakers' Council of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament held its Spring Meeting in Helsinki on April 15th - 16th. Eight regional Speakers gathered in Helsinki from all over the world. The meeting was also Speaker Ville Itälä's last. On Tuesday, April 16th the Finland Society's Annual Meeting chose Professor Jarmo Virmavirta as his successor. The Chairman of the Finland Society also acts as Speaker for the Finnish Expatriate Parliament.

Speakers' Council Spring Meeting 2013

The Speakers' Council of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament meet in Helsinki on April 14 and 15, 2013. It is the first time since last year's parliamentary session that the new Speakers' Council hold their meeting. Agenda items are postal voting, the Suomi-Schools, the Government's Policy Program for Expatriate Finns and the national broadcasting coorporation's (YLE) services for expatriates as well as other topical issues.

FEP Resolutions are submitted to Prime Minister

On Monday, April 8, 2013, Vice Speaker of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament, Ms Eva Biaudet, and parliament secretary Tina Nordqvist visited the Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen and submitted the resolutions of the previous session to him. The Prime Minister sends the resolutions on to the various ministries for statements. The statements form the foundations for the Speakers' Council's work on behalf of the resolutions.

Printed Versions of the 2012 FEP Resolutions

The 2012 Finnish Expatriate Parliament resolutions are now available in printable and printed form. Due to environmental and cost reasons, the Secretariat will not automatically send every member organization a printed copy of the resolutions. If you prefer a printed version of the resolutions you can either print them yourself or contact the secretariat.

Minutes of the 2012 session

The minutes from the Finnish Expatriate Parliament's seventh session is now available.

Greeting of teh President of the Republic

Message from the President of the Republic of Finland to Finnish expatriate communities on 6 December 2012

Materials from the Seventh Session

When the material from the session and the seminars become available, they are posted on the Seventh Session's web page.

Click here for the session page .

A great thanks to all of you who participated in the session, the seminars and the rest of the events!

The next session will take place in Helsinki in May 2015.

The Seventh Session of the FEP

Information package sent to session participants

On Wednesday, September 26th, 2012, the Secretariat sent out an information package to all participants, representatives and observers, to the next Finnish Expatriate Parliament session.
The next session will be held on October 26th to 27th, 2012 in Helsinki.

Expatriate Finns as an exports resource

There are about 1, 3 million expatriate Finns all over the world. What unites a majority of them, apart from their Finnish roots, is their desire to help Finland and Finnish companies to succeed on a global scale. That is why in conjuntion with the Finnish Expatriate Parliament Session an event will be organised for expatriate Finns and small and medium sized businesses under the title of, Networks abroad – the export power of expatriate Finns on October 25th, 2012.

Report on the Resolutions 2012

The Speakers' Council, at the suggestion of the Secretariat, decided to publish a preliminary and short version of the Secretariat's report on the resolutions of the previous session on the FEP web site. It is hoped that this will help those thinking of submitting an initiative to the next session.

Speakers' Council's Spring Meeting in Helsinki

The Speakers' Council held their Spring meeting in Helsinki on the 7th - 8th of May 2012.

Networks abroad seminar 25th October 2012

In conjunction with the Parliamentary Session in October 2012, a seminar will be organised on the 25th of October 2012 entitled "Networks abroad. Expatriate Finns as a Resource for Finland". As part of the seminar we are conducting a survey on whether expatriate Finns are willing and able in their own community to aid Finnish companies in their work in foreign markets.

Invitation to the FEP Session

All members of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament are hereby invited to the seventh ordinary session of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament that will take place on the 26th and 27th of October 2012 on the premises of the University of Helsinki.

Independence Day Greeting from the President

Independence Day greetings from the President of the Republic of Finland to expatriate Finnish communities, 6 December 2011

Complaint to the Ombudsman

The Finnish Expatriate Parliament has made a complaint to the parliamentary Ombudsman regarding the Ministry of Education and Culture's interpretation of the legislation on basic education (Perusopetuslaki). According to the Ministry, Kulkuri, which is a distance education school for Finnish school children living abroad, does not fall within the scope of the law on basic edusation and thus is not covered by the state equalization payment system.

Speakers' Council Meeting November 2011

The Speakers’ Council of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament meets in Helsinki for its annual Autumn meeting on November 28th and 29th.

Advance voting in the Presidential Elections

The advance voting locations for the 2012 Finnish Presidential elections have been published. There are 255 advance voting stations all in all. They are located at Finnish missions abroad and other authorized locations in 91 countries. The number of advance voting stations has risen since the previous election in 2006.

Amendments to Citizenship Law in force 1.9.2011

The amendments to the Finnish Citizenship Law will be in force on September 1st, 2011. After this it will be possible for former Finnish Citizens to reclaim their citizenship even if they are permanently resident abroad. Under-aged children of a former citizen are entitled to apply at the same time. This right is not awarded to adult children of a former citizen.

Expatriate Finns and the government program

The political parties forming the new government has agreed on their governmental program. You can find more information on the new government in English on www.vnk.fi/etusivu/en.jsp. By clicking on the heading you can read the parts of the program that have an impact on Expatriate Finns or the work of the FEP. (In Finnish)

Pro Gradu thesis on the FEP

Johanna Peltoniemi has written her Master's Thesis in political science at the University of Tampere about national identity and expatriate Finnishness in the context of the FEP sessions 1997-2007 ("Kansallinen identiteetti ja ulkosuomalaisuus. Ulkosuomalaisparlamentin täysistunnot vuosina 1997 - 2007")

FEP Speakers' Spring Council Meeting

The Speakers' Council of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament met in Helsinki for their spring meeting on May 16th to 17th, 2011. On the agenda were meetings with representatives from Etäkoulu Kulkuri, the Ministry for Foreign Affair, Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE and the chairpersons of the Finance, Constitutional Law and Education and Culture Committees. A summary of the minutes (in Finnish) is available by clicking on the heading.

Parliamentary Elections Advance Voting Abroad

Advance voting in the Parliamentary Elections abroad will take place from April 6th to 9th, 2011.

There are 241 different advance polling stations abroad in 91 countries. In some places the advance voting will be available on all four days but most of the advance polling stations are open only on specific days.

The parliamentary elections take place on Sunday the 17th of April 2011.
Advance voting in Finland takes place from April 6th to April 12th.

The next session of the FEP in 2012

The Speakers’ Council of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament has together with the Secretariat fixed the date of the next session of the FEP. The next session will be held at the University of Helsinki on Monday and Tuesday, the 22nd and 23rd of October 2012.

Raise for Suomi-Schools

The Finnish Parliament approved next year's budget on the 17th December. In the approved budget the Finland-school state grant is raised by 200 000 €.

Submission of resolutions to the Prime Minister

The resolutions of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament were submitted to Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi on the 7th och december 2010. The Prime Minister sends the resolutions on to the different ministries for statements.
Every FEP organization has been sent a copy of the printed resolutions. More copies and translated versions can be ordered from the Secretariat. You can also find the resolutions on the FEP web page or print them as a pdf-version.

President's Independence Day greetings 2010

The Independence Day Greeting to the Expatriate Finns by the President of the Republic of Finland, Tarja Halonen.

Change in the Ingrian return policy

The Government proposal on abolishing the system for repatriation of Ingrians was brought to the Parliament (eduskunta) on November 16th. The queuing system will be abolished according to the proposal but the right to return will remain for persons belonging to the forcibly displaced population and Finnish War Veterans, who served between 1939 and 1945.

read more by clicking on the heading (in Finnish).

hearing on the citizenship law in parliament

The Finnish Expatriate Parliament and the Finland-Society were heard by the constitutional committee of the national parliament (eduskunta) on proposed changes to the Finnish Citizenship Law. The proposal includes the possiblity for former Finnish citizens to regain their citizenship regardless of their domicil. The main argument of the FEP and the Finland-Society is that this right should be extended to the descendants of former Finnish nationals in accordance with the special provisions in force between 2003 and 2008.

Read the complete statement by clicking on the heading (in Finnish).

Meeting of the Speakers' Council in Helsinki

Ulkosuomalaisparlamentin puhemiehistö piti syyskokouksensa Helsingissä 1.-2.11.2010. Kokous oli uuden puhemiehistön ensimmäinen. Kokousta johti Suomi-Seuran puheenjohtaja ja ulkosuomalaisparlamentin puhemies, europarlamentaarikko Ville Itälä.

Kokouksen aikana käytiin ministeritason keskusteluja kirjeäänestyksestä, paluumuutosta, ulkosuomalaispoliittisesta ohjelmasta, Suomi-kouluista, Kotiperuskoulusta ja Eurooppakouluista.

Pöytäkirja kokouksesta valmistuu ensi viikolla ja siitä julkaistaan yhteenveto näillä nettisivuilla.

Statement on 2011 budget

The Finnish Parliament (Eduskunta) is currently considering next year's budget. The Finnish Expatriate Parliament has submitted a statement concerning the expenses of the Ministry for Education and Culture for the year 2011 to the Cultural and Education Committee.

The statement is only available in Finnish.

Minutes for the 2010 FEP Session

According to §12 of the standing order of the FEP, the Finland Society will draw up the minutes of the parliamentary session, to be inspected by the speakers. No later than two months after the session, the minutes are to be sent to all of the representatives as well as the communities which they represent. If the participating community or representative has given an email address, the minutes will be sent electronically. If there is no email address, a copy of the minutes will be sent by mail.

The minutes can be read in their entirety here . (In Finnish)

Citizenship law amendment to the Parliament

On Friday the 11th of June 2010 a proposal was submitted to the Finnish Parliament concerning amnedments to the Finnish Citizenship Law. According to one of the proposed amendments, a former Finnish citizens would be eligible to regain his former citizenship through a declaration procedure even if he is not a resident of Finland.

The Sixth Session of the FEP

The Finnish Expatriate Parliament held its sixth ordinary session at Helsinki University on the 24th and 25th of May 2010. 182 organisations, 191 representatives and 44 observers from 23 different countries took part.

Read more on our session page !

A new Speaker for the FEP

Member of the European Parliament, L.L.M. Ville Itälä, has been elected as the new Chairman for the Finland-Society during the organisation's annual meeting in Helsinki on the 30th of March 2010. As a consequence of his election, Mr Itälä will also be the new Speaker for the Finnish Expatriate Parliament.

Registered organisations and submitted initiatives

A total of 165 organisations have registered their participation to the FEP Session in helsinki on the 24th and 25th of May 2010. A total of 80 initiatives were submitted. The deadline for registration and submission expired on the 24th of February 2010.

Citizenship declarations Awaiting Decision

At the beginning of 2010 there were still approximately 1650 unresolved citizenship declarations from former Finnish citizens and their descendants. The aim is to decide on all citizenship declarations, also those for which necessary further information has been received in time, by 1 June 2010.

Proposal on postal voting

The Ministry for Justice is sending a proposal on including postal voting for expatriate Finns in the electoral law for comments in the very near future. A statement by the Finnish Expatriate Parliament is included in the proposal. Minister Brax informed representatives of the FEP of the proposal during a meeting on January 12th 2010.

Submit an intitiative to the FEP session!

Now is the perfect time to submit initiatives to the Finnish Expatriate Parliament Session to be held in Helsinki on the 24th and 25th of May 2010! All member organisations of the FEP are entitled to submit initiatives regardless of whether they will attend the session or not.
The deadline for the submission of initiatives is on the 24th of February 2010.
Read more by clicking on the heading or contact the Secretariat for more details!

President's Independence Day greetings 2009

Independence Day Greetings from the President of the Republic of Finland
to expatriate Finnish communities 6 December 2009

FEP Speakers' Council Fall Meeting 2009

The Speakers' Council of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament met in Helsinki on the 12th and 13th of November. The main subjects were the proposed changes to the Citizenship Law, migration issues especially from teh point of view of the Ingrians and postal voting.

Action Plan on Labour Migration

The Action Plan on Labour Migration was approved by the Finnish Government on the 5th of November. Action Plan on is a document enlarging on the policies created in the government’s immigration policy programme.

Proposed citizenship law

The Ministry of the Interior has published the proposal for amendments to the citizenhip law. It will be circulated among various interested parties and comments and statements on the proposal is invited. Private citizens can also give their opinion on the proposal on the open discussion forum www.otakantaa.fi.

FEP meeting with Minister Virkkunen

The chaiman of the Finish Expatriate Parliament, Mr Pertti Paasio, Executive Director of the Fnland Society, Ms Paula Selenius and parliamentsecretary Tina Nordqvist met with the Minister for Education, Ms Henna Virkkunen on the 9th of October. The topics for discussion were the financing and activity of the Suomi-Schools.

(In Finnish.)

EU-expatriates' rights

The non-governmental federation of national associations for European residents abroad, Europeans Throughout the World, adopted the Stockholm Recommendations as a result of their meeting in Stockholm on the 14th to 15th of May 2009.

Keep your personal data up to date

Only about half of Finns living outside Finland have kept their personal data in the population register up to date compared to 99% of Finns living in Finland. With the new passport law it is more important than ever to keep your data up to date.

Passport Application in Finland for Expatriates

When the new passport regulations came into force in 2006, application for a new passport for expatriate Finns has become more complicated but in Finland the applications process has been made easier. It is now also possible for Expatriate Finns to apply for a new passport when visiting Finland. Unlike before, you don’t have to submit your application to the police in your own municipality. Instead you can submit the application at any police station in Finland.

FEP Speakers' Council Spring Meeting 2009

The Speakers' Council of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament held its Spring Meeting in Helsinki on the 16th and 17th of April. During its two day meeting the Council met with migration- and europeminister Astrid Thors, education minister Henna Virkkunen, the Parliament's constitutional committee and representatives of the foreign ministery. The most important topics on the agenda were postal voting for expatriate Finns, a continuation of the declaration proceedure for regaining of Finnish citizenship and the financial support of the Suomi-Schools.

Student Discounts on Finnish Railways

Finnish student studying abroad are once again entitled to student discounts on train fares within Finland. The condition for the reduction is that the student is receiving student benefits from Kela. the Finnish Railway Company VR withdrew the right to discounts for students studying abroad last year after allegations of discrimination on the basis of nationality.

FEP visit with the Minister of Justice

The Speaker of the FEP, Pertti Paasio, Executive Director of the Finland Society, Paula Selenius and parlament secretary Tina Nordqvist met with the MInister for Justice, Tuija Brax on the 20th of March 2009. Items for discussion were postal voting for expatriate Finns and changes to the law on registered associations (yhdistyslaki).

Over 21 000 declarations for citizenship

A total of approximately 21,500 former Finnish citizens or their descendants applied to have their lost citizenship restored within the five-year time limit provided under the current Finnish Nationality Act.

Approximately 9,000 declarations are still pending at the moment. The goal is to deliver decisions on all declarations by the end of 2009, and the majority by July.

Vote by mail (postal vote) granted!

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