The Finnish Expatriate Parliament (USP / FEP) was founded by Suomi-Seura ry. in 1996. The purpose of USP is to provide an information and discussion channel both for expatriate Finns and Finland, and secondly to voice the expatriate concerns in the making of public policy in Finland.
The first congress was held in Ritarihuone in 1998, when membership had already reached 295 organizations. The subsequent congresses have been held at 2-3 year intervals, always in Helsinki.
Membership consists of organizations interested in Finnish language and/or culture. Organizations can become members by agreeing to support the objectives of USP / FEP. There are just over 500 members worldwide in 37 countries, representing over 1.6 million Finnish expatriates.
Canada has over 60 member organizations, making up about 12% of the USP / FEP membership. Annual General meeting is held in conjunction with the annual Finnish-Canadian Grand Festival, and ad hoc information sessions whenever it is convenient for the interested clubs.
The world is divided into seven geographic regions (see www.usp.fi) and representation for the Swedish speaking Finns. The USP / FEP Speaker is always the serving Suomi-Seura Chairman, and a local Deputy Speaker heads each region. Speakers Council meets twice a year in Helsinki to deal with day-to-day issues and to present expatriates’ concerns to the Government of Finland and/or to selected institutions.
The Expatriate Parliament meets to set future activities based on the initiatives sent by the member organizations. The USP Secretary, Sini Castrén, works in an office provided by Suomi-Seura at Mariankatu 8. She looks after the administration and researches the background information for all new initiatives.
The general objectives of USP / FEP are as follows:
- Information distribution to and from Expatriate Finns
- Support Finnish language schools
- Support Finnish culture among Expatriate clubs
- Operate advisory infrastructure in Helsinki
What has USP / FEP accomplished over the years?
- Dual citizenship in 2003 & Reasonable pricing for it
- Portable passport machines (6) – 3 in North America
- Fair taxation of pensions in 2006
- Maintained consular services in Toronto
- Advisory group (4 persons) established in Helsinki
- Updated Finnish Expatriate policy, etc
On-going objectives
- Funding of Suomi-Koulut, annual education grants
- Mail voting, followed by electronic voting
- Better access to YLE radio and TV programs
- Supporting expatriate seniors
- New initiative – Obtain legal status for USP / FEP in Finland
USP is planning to celebrate the Centennial of Finnish Independence (and Canada’s 150th birthday) in 2017. The activities will consist of bringing outstanding expatriates back to Finland for speaking engagements, publish a book on the “Finns of the Year”, mount a traveling art show, which finishes in Helsinki, and hold the 2017 Congress in the summer of that year. The government of Finland is planning to fund up to half a dozen major events in Finland.
Finnish-Canadian organizations are encouraged to celebrate the centennial by organizing a major event, not necessarily on the Independence Day, but rather throughout the year, capitalizing on the special occasion. For example, a book on outstanding Finnish-Canadians, businesses and accomplishments is in the works.

Sivun alkuun