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Finland is facing profound change from within and beyond its borders. Trust in institutions has weakened, and the future of the welfare state looks uncertain. Before the upcoming elections in 2027, we need to have a profound discussion on the future direction.
Only 17 per cent of young people now feel optimistic about the future of the world, down from 39 per cent in 2021. Anyone proposing a new societal initiative today is more likely to meet cynicism than enthusiasm.
Yet Finland has built anew under difficult conditions before. The foundations of the welfare state were laid during the hardship of the 1930s and in a country recovering from war. The recovery after the 1990s recession was the result of determined work rather than favourable circumstances. Turning points have always required setting clear goals, sustained effort, and building broad support behind them.
Demos Helsinki’s event on “Finland’s Defining Questions” brings into focus three questions that will determine what kind of society Finland becomes: demographic change, the irreversible shifts in the climate system, and who steers the digital transformation.
We need humble reflection and imagination, with our society’s key institutions at the centre. We need help from those who have succeeded in finding solutions before. Hope is born from action. Join us!
When? Friday 4 December 2026 from 9 to 12.30
Where? Bio Rex
Registration: Please register through this link
The event is held in Finnish and English. Some sessions are in Finnish, and others in English, as several of our speakers are joining from abroad. The agenda will follow.
If you have any questions, please contact Ella Välimäki ella.valimaki@demoshelsinki.fi