Settlement Leaders Meet Parliament: Addressing Finland’s Social Challenges Together

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Settlement Neighbourhood Houses possess a unique ability to quickly identify and respond to people’s needs.

On September 4th, 2024, leaders from the Finnish Federation of Settlement Houses (Setlementtiliitto) hosted a key event at the Finnish Parliament in Helsinki, showcasing their century-long commitment to social justice and democracy. Political leaders, including MPs Paula Risikko, Nasima Razmyar, and Krista Mikkonen, addressed critical issues such as loneliness and youth mental health, highlighting the crucial role of the Settlement Neighbourhood Centers in tackling these challenges.

The MPs emphasized that NGOs like Settlement Neighbourhood Houses possess a unique ability to quickly identify and respond to people’s needs. They voiced concern over recent budget cuts, pointing out that these cuts do not reflect a reduction in people’s needs.

The MPs acknowledged that Settlement Neighbourhood Houses step in where others fail and provide services while empowering individuals to contribute back to society.

“You are ambassadors of hope. You advocate for your work with dignity and resilience. You have the spirit, and you simply cannot give up,” encouraged MP Paula Risikko.

Leaders from various Settlement Houses presented impactful, community-driven initiatives, fostering dialogue on collaboration.

They demonstrated how their grassroots work strengthens social cohesion and promotes national well-being.

Additionally, Pentti Lemmetyinen, CEO of the Finnish Federation of Settlement Houses, briefly shared their policy recommendations, previously presented at the European Parliament in Brussels earlier this year.

The Finnish Federation of Settlement Houses (FFSH) is a life course organization consisting of 32 settlements across Finland.

The settlement movement in Finland employs more than 3,000 professionals and 2,500 volunteers. FFSH has also hosted the International Federation of Settlements and Neighborhood Centers (IFS) office since 2017.

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