I want to see an Espoo and a Finland where individuals actively participate in society according to their own capacity. That’s why I want to see organisations, associations and other actors working more closely with the city. When we have a connection to others in society, our communities become stronger — and voluntary organisations offer valuable opportunities for social cohesion and meaningful human interaction.
Young people’s wellbeing and schools
School is the most important institution we have in Finland. It’s where our children are shaped, find their path, and grow into independent individuals — at least in theory. In practice, we see that young people’s mental health is deteriorating (Kouluterveyskysely, THL 2023), and that the achievement gap between boys and girls is widening (Helsingin Sanomat 2023).
Particularly concerning is the lack of positive, healthy male role models. The norms surrounding masculinity have often been narrow, and boys who break them may face social punishment. At the same time, boys’ emotions are not always given the space they deserve, which hampers their ability to form a secure identity. The increasing polarisation in society — where young men often turn to conservative or reactionary environments (HS 2024) — may partly be a result of this.
There is another way to talk about masculinity — one that acknowledges the value of emotions and the importance of healthy, inclusive norms. To do this, we need professionals who have the tools to meet young people with understanding. Sexologists have an important role to play. They are not just experts on sexuality, but also on relationships, emotional regulation, and norm criticism (Folkhälsan, 2023).
Sex education is already part of the Finnish national curriculum (OPS 2016), but resources and implementation vary greatly. That’s why sexologists and other experts should be a natural part of both basic and secondary education. There are also organisations like Miessakit ry, which work daily with men of all ages – they should be integrated into city and school operations.
To achieve these goals, I want:
- more sexologists involved in basic and upper secondary education
- increased use of the competence of volunteer organisations
Immigration and integration
Espoo faces challenges today related to youth mental health, unemployment, and the risk of marginalisation. Some of these issues are linked to shortcomings in integration, especially among young people with immigrant backgrounds. It’s not about their background per se, but rather about socioeconomic disadvantage, unequal access to mental healthcare and education, and a lack of future prospects (THL; OECD 2023) — and in some cases, a lack of emotional connection to the society they live in.
Immigration is a necessary part of Finland’s future. Nearly 25% of the population is over the age of 65 (Wikipedia, 2024), and birth rates among native Finns are low. Immigration brings cultural capital, skills and internationalisation. But for integration to succeed, we need concrete action, without compromising our humanity.
As an immigrant myself, I know that the path to employment can be significantly longer than for someone born and raised in Finland. We need solutions that make it easier to access education and work, and that build bridges between newcomers and those who’ve lived here longer. Integration must be active, personalised and based on cooperation.
To achieve these goals, I want:
- the City of Espoo to employ community educators with a focus on supporting young people both in and outside school
- Espoo to actively involve volunteer organisations in integration work
Sources:
- THL – Kouluterveyskysely
- Helsingin Sanomat (2023): Tyttöjen ja poikien ero koulumenestyksessä kasvaa
- Folkhälsan (2023): Sexuell hälsa i skolan – En vägledning
- Opetushallitus (2016): Läroplanen för den grundläggande utbildningen
- Miessakit ry
- OECD (2023): International Migration Outlook – Finland profile
- Wikipedia (2024): Demographics of Finland