SuomiAreena celebrates its 20th anniversary this summer with a powerful and timely core theme: trust. As Finland’s largest societal discussion festival, this year’s event features a remarkably international lineup of world-class speakers, insightful panels, and inspiring dialogues. Whether you are interested in geopolitics, economic success, AI, or Nordic cooperation, SuomiAreena’s programme has something for everyone.
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SuomiAreena firar sitt 20-årsjubileum i sommar med ett starkt och aktuellt huvudtema: förtroende. Finlands största samhälleliga diskussionsfestival bjuder i år på en anmärkningsvärd internationell uppställning av världsklasstalare, insiktsfulla paneler och inspirerande diskussioner. Oavsett om du är intresserad av geopolitik, ekonomisk framgång, AI eller nordiskt samarbete har SuomiAreenas program något för alla.
Explore the full programme and list of speakers here! (in Finnish)
SuomiAreena’s multilingual programme:
Tuesday, June 23
4:15–5:00 PM: The future of transatlantic defence cooperation and NATO’s strategic transformation
Raatihuoneenpuisto stage
Speakers:
Air Chief Marshal The Lord Peach KG GBE KCB DL, former Chair of the NATO Military Committee
H.E. Mr. Patrick Hébert, Ambassador of Canada to Finland
Mrs. Karoliina Honkanen, Director, Defence Cooperation Unit
Lieutenant General (Ret.) Esa Pulkkinen, former Permanent Secretary
5:00–5:45 PM: The power of deterrence and the legacy of peace – Finland’s international role in 2026
Raatihuoneenpuisto stage
Speakers:
Oskari Eronen, Chief Programme Officer, CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation
Terhi Suominen, Secretary General, Atlantic Council of Finland
Tuomas Forsberg, Professor of International Relations, Tampere University
Mikko Savola, Member of Parliament, Vice-President, NATO Parliamentary Assembly
H.E. Laura Davies, His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Finland
Wednesday, June 24
10:00–10:30 AM: Nordic Council Environment Prize nominees revealed
Kaupungintalon piha stage
Speakers / Talarna:
Harriet Zilliacus, University Lecturer and Docent, University of Helsinki
Eeva Furman, Chair of the Nordic Council Environment Prize
The Finnish nominee for the Nordic Council Environment Prize
Peter Nyman, Moderator
The discussion will be in English and Swedish.
Kl. 14:00–14:45 Svenskans betydelse för Finlands framtid
Kyrkoscen
Talarna:
Anders Adlercreutz, Undervisningsminister, partiordförande för Svenska folkpartiet
Maaret Castrén, Riksdagsledamot för Samlingspartiet
Antti Kurvinen, Ordförande för Centerns riksdagsgrupp
Nasima Razmyar, Riksdagsledamot, första viceordförande för Socialdemokraterna
Marianne Sundholm, Moderator
3:00–3:45 PM: In the name of God
Kirkko stage
Speakers:
Tapio Luoma, Archbishop
Tamàs Fabiny, Bishop Emeritus
Zach Courter, Pastor, Saint Mark Lutheran Church
Tuomas Forsberg, Professor, Tampere University
Pauliina Parhiala, Moderator, Felm
3:00–3:45 PM: Ambassadors’ discussion: How to build the ideal Nordic country – and why is Canada invited to the party?
Kaupungintalon piha stage
Speakers:
H.E. Mr. Jakob Nymann-Lindegren, Ambassador of Denmark
H.E. Ms. Eva Fagerman, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of Sweden
Peter Nyman, Moderator
4:00–4:45 PM: AI is here to stay: How media and politics will change in the next few years
Sata Shipbuilding -stage
Speakers:
Victorina Demirel, Head of Data & AI Enablement, Schibsted
Kalle Silfverberg, Editor-in-Chief, Hufvudstadsbladet
Maggie Keskinen, Secretary General, National Coalition Party
Jaakko Loikkanen, Moderator
6:00–6:45 PM: It is time for men to fight against violence against women
Raatihuoneenpuisto stage
Speakers:
David Pelivot, Human rights advocate
Suzanne Innes-Stubb, spouse of the President of the Republic of Finland
Ville Blåfield, Moderator
Pelicot’s speech will be in English, and the discussion with Pelicot and Innes-Stubb will be held in Finnish and French with interpretation provided.
Thursday, June 25
12:00–12:45 PM: Do global investors still trust Finland? Connecting trust, investment, and economic success
Kirkko stage
Speakers:
Alexandra Pasternak-Jackson, CEO, Amcham Finland
Niina Ekholm-Wenberg, Country Director, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine Finland
Teemu Vidgren, Managing Director, Microsoft Finland
Casper Herler, Partner, Borenius Attorneys Ltd
Rosa Thurman, Director of International Business & Investment, Amcham Finland
5:00–5:45 PM: Where do we put our trust?
Raatihuoneenpuisto stage
Speakers:
Jen Nagel, Bishop
Tapio Luoma, Archbishop
6:00–7:00 PM: SuomiAreena presents: Justin Trudeau
Raatihuoneenpuisto stage
Speakers:
Justin Trudeau, Former Prime Minister of Canada
Jaakko Loikkanen, Moderator, MTV
Friday, June 26
3:00–3:45 PM: The trust deficit: Who pays the price when the systems fail?
Kaupungintalon piha stage
Speakers:
Matthew Bowen, Administrative Director/Project Coordinator, International Professionals Finland ry (InterProFinland)
Tiina-Maija Paloranta, Entrepreneur & Facilitator of Human Connection, Valon kierre
Mona Elo, Researcher/Writer & Owner, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK)/NotesByMona
Nick Walters, Senior Lead, Vice-President, Sitra (The Finnish Innovation Fund
Violeta Ivanova, Chairman & Founder, Pori Entrepreneurship Society (Pori ES)