Finland Times

 

Prime Minister Alexander Stubb. File Photo Lehtikuva.

Prime Minister Alexander Stubb has invited the prime ministers of Nordic countries, Baltic states and United Kingdom to discuss future trends in northern Europe at the Northern Future Forum seminar scheduled to be held in Helsinki on November 6 and 7.  

 

The themes of the meeting are competitiveness of education system and promotion of innovative business activities, said a Government Communications Department press release on Friday. 

 

The Northern Future Forum, which has proved to be a successful concept in previous years, will bring together for the fourth time in an informal setting the prime ministers of nine countries as well as business leaders and experts.  

 

Finland, this year’s host country, wishes to stimulate debate on means to create new, innovative business activities and reform education systems. Finland has strong expertise in both sectors. All the countries participating in the event are facing common challenges, which include the need to balance public-sector finances, digitalisation, and the intensification of international competition. 

 

“Economic growth and wellbeing arise from business activity, the strengthening and diversification of which represent a key challenge for all the northern European countries. Here in Finland and also elsewhere in Europe, successful business activity will increasingly depend on expertise and a high level of education,” observed Prime Minister Stubb. 

 

He said, “Finland has much to offer in both fields, but has also much to learn from others. I look forward with interest to an open and inspiring discussion on these themes.” 

 

The seminar will be held on the premises of the internationally respected Start-up Sauna business accelerator on Aalto University’s Otaniemi campus. It will be possible to follow the event’s opening speeches, closing session and press conference by webcast. 

 

The Northern Future Forum met for the first time in London in January 2011.