Talks and discussions at World Village Festival explore peace from a broad perspective. What is the role of women, youth and people with disabilities in peacebuilding? How can peace be achieved around the world? What is the significance of veganism, artificial intelligence or LGBTQ+ rights in peace work?
– An impressive line-up of speakers and talks from Finland and around the world will be featured on stage. Many of them have first-hand experience of wars, conflicts and injustice. We want to highlight voices that are rarely heard in public debate. This year’s Talks and discussions will be profound – peace is both an acute and tangible issue in this time, all over the world, says Johanna Eurakoski, Programme Manager of the festival.
Perspectives on world peace
One of the most internationally renowned speakers at the festival is Malian musician, filmmaker and UN Goodwill Ambassador Inna Modja, who will talk about the role of women in the fight against climate change and desertification in Africa.
Finn Church Aid’s programme will explore different understandings of peace and how to reconcile them. The topic will be discussed by Piya Itkonen, FCA Country Director for Somalia, Patricia Maruschak, FCA Country Director for Ukraine, and Mohamed Elsanousi, Executive Director of the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, who also serves on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.
The programme by the European Union reflects on whether there is still a place for EU values-based global policy and global rules in today’s world politics. In discussion with MEP’s Sirpa Pietikäinen (EPP, NCP) and Jussi Saramo (The Left, vas.), and EU Youth Delegate Eetu Leinonen.
Regarding international conflicts, the programme will focus on acute crises and past conflicts. What can we learn from the bloodless revolution in Mongolia, the experiences of Japanese survivors of nuclear bombs or the civil war in Sri Lanka, where true peace and justice have yet to be achieved? What is the role of international correspondents in promoting understanding?
The Finnish Palestine Network Sumud will lead a discussion on the current situation of May in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. What is Finland’s role in promoting a just and sustainable future in the region? The City of Helsinki will highlight the role of cities as agents of a peaceful and civilised future. Mayor of Helsinki Juhana Vartiainen, Mayor of Dnipro in Ukraine Borys Filatov and Ukrainian Ambassador to Finland Olga Dibrova discuss cooperation between Helsinki and Dnipro.
In the Abilis Foundation’s programme, the MP and experienced peacebuilder Pekka Haavisto (Green), Klaus Korhonen, Chair of The Finnish Institute of the International Affairs, Mikko Patokallio, expert at the CMI-Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation, Iryna Sarancha, Abilis Foundation Country Coordinator for Ukraine and Amu Urhonen, Chair of the Abilis Foundation, will offer their perspectives on a more disability-inclusive future for Ukraine.
The youth as peacebuilders
The role and empowerment of young people will be addressed in several discussions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ programme looks at how to involve young people in peace negotiations. The discussion, moderated by journalist Pasi Toivonen, will feature Adina Nivukoski, Finland’s UN Youth Delegate, and Laura Hendry, an expert from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Centre for Peace Mediation.
YMCA Finland’s programme asks how Lebanese youth manage to build peace and a better future, generation after generation, during crises. In the Deaconess Foundation’s programme, an older generation fleeing war in the Horn of Africa, and young people from immigrant families who grew up in Finland, discuss how family experiences of conflict affect young people’s lives.
The discussion held by City of Helsinki and Children of the Station highlights concrete achievements when young people are given support and ownership in resolving conflicts that affect them.
Music and humour can help to understand sore points that either erode or strengthen social peace. Media personalities and artists Seksikäs-Suklaa and Dosdela talk about what it feels like to be an outsider, to find your voice and take your place.
Digital power or digital peace?
Arda Awais and Savena Surana, founders of London-based Identity 2.0, summarise how digital dehumanisation aggravates conflict – and how human creativity can create a better digital future.
Fingo’s Digital Power or Digital Peace? -discussion will raise the question: what can each of us do to promote democracy in an era of digital power? Join journalist Susani Mahadura for a discussion with Aram Aflatuni, an expert on peace projects for children and young people, Ville Merinen (SDP), MP known as terapeutti-Ville, and Jukka Vahti, who specialises in foreseeing Sitra’s transformation of the security environment.
Food production is linked to climate change and social conflicts around the world. Viral Vegans’ talk will ask what kind of footprints do Finns’ favourite foods leave behind, when animal and human rights are considered in addition to emissions?
The antigender movement threatens the peace of individuals, communities and societies by restricting human rights. Joining Väestöliitto’s discussion are Terry Munansangu of the Zambian trans and intersex organisation, Julia Ehrt, director of ILGA World, an organisation for sexual and gender minority rights, and researcher Julian Honkasalo.
Kids’ programme, art and workshops will be published on 16 April
World Village Festival has previously published the Music Stage programme and two Talks and discussions. Kids’ programme, art, workshops and festival clubs will be published on 16 April and the exhibitors on 5 May. See the full programme and timetable.
Organised by Finnish Development NGOs Fingo, the main partners of World Village Festival are City of Helsinki, the European Commission Representation in Finland and the European Parliament Liaison Office in Finland, Finn Church Aid and Maailman Kuvalehti magazine.
World Village Festival on theme Peace 24.–25.5.2025 in Suvilahti, Helsinki. Admission free!
More information
Communications Manager Nelli Korpi, nelli.korpi@fingo.fi, +358 50 317 6698
Programme Manager Johanna Eurakoski, johanna.eurakoski@fingo.fi, +358 50 317 6696
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World Village Festival is Finland’s leading event for global action for the whole family, an admission free cultural festival, and a trade fair for sustainable development. The event will be organised in the Suvilahti event venue, Helsinki 24–25 May 2025 with Peace as its theme.
