Parliament Members Jukka Kopra and Hanna Holopainen Joined Local Stakeholders and Immigrants in Pioneering Open Dialogue for developing Lappeenranta as an inclusive community
On May 20, 2024, NordConnect hosted an exclusive event – Let’s make Lappeenranta Great Again bringing together policy makers and key local stakeholders including Kaakkois-Suomen TE-toimisto, ELY-keskus, Saimaan ammattiopisto Sampo, the City of Lappeenranta, Siivous Lappee Oy, Edusampo Oy, Arnora Oy, and immigrant communities. This initiative is a significant step toward Nordic Council of Ministers vision of making the Nordic region competitive and socially sustainable through effective integration strategies.
This event is organized by Project NordConnect, financed by the Nordic Council of Ministers and coordinated by Saimaan ammattiopisto Sampo. One of the deliverables of the project is to facilitate open and constructive dialogue, bringing together citizens and policymakers to address the critical issue of immigrant integration. The event began with a welcome address by Antti Lehmusvaara, Rector of Saimaan ammattiopisto Sampo, followed by a project overview from Rozabela Singh, Project Manager at NordConnect, Saimaan ammattiopisto Sampo. Terhi Toikkanen, CEO of Edusampo Oy, emphasized the importance of collaboration between policymakers and the immigrant community.
Key discussions were centered around language learning, internship opportunities, and on-thejob training after graduation and other essential components in empowering immigrants to pursue their aspirations locally, without feeling compelled to relocate to larger cities for better opportunities. Several members of the international community stepped forward to participate as speakers, raising issues related to key topics of language learning, internships, and on-the-job training after graduation during the discussions. These topics were meticulously chosen based on inquiries submitted by immigrants themselves before the event, ensuring the dialogue addressed their most pressing concerns. While not every question could be addressed during the event, rest assured that all voices matter. The questions with members were shared afterward to ensure every perspective was considered. “The title of the event received considerable criticism; however, we clarified that the provocative theme was intended solely to capture attention and encourage community participation. They emphasized that the initiative does not adhere to any political ideologies or the negative associations it might have had in the past.”, said Rozabela Singh, Project Manager, Saimaan ammattiopisto Sampo.
The event concluded with a vibrant networking session and refreshments featuring international dishes prepared by immigrants, providing a unique culinary experience. As the event drew to a close, participants expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to engage in such meaningful discussion. Many acknowledged the importance of continuing similar dialogues in the future to further advance understanding and collaboration in Lappeenranta. About Project NordConnect: NordConnect is a consortium funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers aimed for immigrant empowerment. Project partners consist of Saimaa Vocational College Sampo, Finland, Charge Incubator, Norway and Crossing Borders, Denmark. In this collaboration, each partner brings to the table their wealth of experience and successful
approaches to empowering immigrants. Through a concerted effort, we collectively develop a comprehensive framework that embodies these best practices. This framework serves as a guiding blueprint for implementing tailored strategies in each partner country, aiming to strengthen the Nordic region’s competitiveness.
