New training for decision-makers aims to boost EU skills in Finland

This October, Sitra is launching a new leadership training course for the future EU aimed at increasing Finland's ability to influence the direction in which the EU develops. The training will bring together 60 decision-makers and influencers each year to discuss the future of the EU and to strengthen the participants' ability to influence the Union. 

"In Finland, we need to have a bold debate about how we want the EU to develop and how we want to influence the European Union," says Sitra President Atte Jääskeläinen.  

Many of the laws that affect Finland are made in the EU. It also decides how we respond to crises, what we do to mitigate the loss of biodiversity and climate change, and how we jointly promote sustainable economic development. The European Council is currently discussing the future of the EU. Next year, we will see the European elections and the election of a new Commission.  

“It's important that we increase understanding of the EU's role in decision-making and broaden the debate about the EU. It is not only politicians who have an influence in the EU. Businesses and organisations also can also have a lot of influence," Jääskeläinen points out. 

Pressures on the EU increase the need for cooperation  

Global competition, the EU's changing security environment, enlargement and economic, climate and migration management reforms are challenging the Union. Responding to global tensions requires cooperation.

"All these issues require that Finland takes an active and proactive approach. The debate should not be left to EU experts alone," says Timo Miettinen, researcher at the Centre for European Studies, University of Helsinki. 

In a new report by Sitra, Miettinen describes the key challenges facing the European Union in a time of crises and looks at the future and direction of the EU.  

"Historically, the EU has been shaped by crises. Its legitimacy in the future will continue to depend on how well it solves Europe's key problems and challenges," says Miettinen.  

The first EU leadership training course for the future EU will bring together 28 decision-makers and influencers. The course starts on 10 October.  

Sitra's training courses have been bringing together Finnish decision-makers since 1977. Over the years, more than 2500 decision-makers and influencers have participated in the economic policy leadership courses.    

Sitra's memorandum "The EU in a time of crises" examines how the EU was built, its current situation and future direction. It has been written by Timo Miettinen, Adjunct Professor, Researcher on European issues (University of Helsinki). Download the memo here (in Finnish).