On October 16, 2017, the roundtable discussion “100th Anniversary of the Independence of Finland: lessons for Ukraine” was held at the Faculty of International Relations of the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. Ukrainian and Finnish diplomats, representatives of the administration of the University and local authorities, scholars and students from Lviv and other Ukrainian cities took part in the discussion.
During the official opening, Vice-Rector for Research, Teaching and International Cooperation Mariya Zubrytska pointed out that understanding of the history of Finland and its present is extremely important for Ukraine since 100 years ago Finns were able to gain independence, that is something Ukrainians did not manage to do at that time.
“It is very important for us to discuss and understand how 100 years ago in similar circumstances Finland was able to do what we failed. Moreover, the experience of Finland in building a strong economy and developing state and social institutions is interesting for us,” said Mariya Zubrytska and added that the Finnish educational reforms are of particular interest to Ukraine.
Professor Markiyan Malskyy, Dean of the Faculty of International Relations, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine, expressed his gratitude to all the participants of the round table discussion and pointed out that boosting cooperation between Ukraine and Finland is extremely important for both countries in the context of complicated processes in the international arena.
Mr. Juha Virtanen, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Finland to Ukraine, emphasized that his country faced many challenges and problems for 100 years. However, these days Finland has managed to build democratic institutions, a strong economy and become an important member of the world community. According to the diplomat, modern Finland holds leading positions in many international rankings.
Mr. Andrii Olefirov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Finland, joined the participants by means of videoconferencing and wished them active work and fruitful discussions.
In addition, the participants were greeted by Marianna Hladysh, Head of the Center for the Nordic countries at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv and Polina Li, Director of the Department of International Technical Assistance and International Cooperation of the Lviv Oblast State Administration.
Furthermore, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland (2011-2015) Erkki Tuomioja delivered a report about the process of Finland’s formation as an independent democratic state.
In addition, the participants discussed key aspects of Finland’s foreign policy against a backdrop of escalation of regional and geopolitical conflicts, analyzed the innovativeness of the Finnish economy and the Finnish model of secondary and higher education. They also shared their opinions on the potential of Ukrainian-Finnish relations.