Sitra’s Leadership Training for the Future EU aims to boost Finland’s capacity to make a difference on the future direction of the European Union. The twice-yearly training courses usually bring together some 60 decision-makers and influencers to debate the future of the EU and strengthen their potential to influence it.

Many of the laws that affect Finland are made in the EU. The EU also decides how we respond to crises, what we do to mitigate biodiversity loss and climate change, or how we work together to promote sustainable economic development.

The future of the EU is currently high on the European Council’s agenda. Next year will see European elections and the appointment of a new Commission.

“Now is the right time to discuss how and in what ways we can make a difference in the EU and seek solutions to the challenges of the future together with others. If we want to make a strategic difference, we need to know how and where to do so,” says Päivi Hirvola, one of the training facilitators and the director of the training programme.

The European Union is changing, can we keep up?

Global competition, the EU’s changing security environment, enlargement and economic, climate and migration reforms have all altered the nature of the EU. Responding to global tensions requires cooperation.

“The participants in our training courses play a key role in thinking about the future of the EU. We want to broaden the debate about the EU. By influencing the future of the EU, we are laying the foundations for a sustainable future for Finland,” says Riikka Marjamäki, Senior Lead at the Leadership Training for the Future EU. 

The training will provide up-to-date information and insights from top experts on the future of the EU and how to lead it.

To support the training, Sitra published on 5 October a memo by European researcher Timo Miettinen, entitled ‘The EU in a time of crises” (coming soon in English), which examines how the EU developed, its current situation and future direction.

The first Leadership Training for the Future EU will involve 28 decision-makers and influencers. The course starts on 10 October. 

The participants in the first pilot course

Name	Title	Organisation
Minna Aila	EVP, Sustainability and Corporate Affairs	Neste
Eeva Aittoniemi	Head of Unit  EU and International Affairs	Ministry of Justice, Finland
Pia Björkbacka	Adviser for International Affairs	The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions
Eveliina Heinäluoma	Member of Parliament, Finland	Social Democratic Parliamentary Group
Lauri Hirvonen	Director, European Correspondent European correspondent	Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Finland
Maria Häggman	Head of International Affairs	Finnish Confederation of Professionals STTK
Tuomas Iso-Markku	Senior Research Fellow	the Finnish Institute of International Affairs – FIIA
Markku Jokisipilä	Assistant Professor, Centre for Parliamentary Studies	University of Turku
Atte Jääskeläinen	President	Sitra
Eeva Kalli	Member of Parliament	Centre Party Parliamentary Group
Tuuli Kaskinen	CEO	Climate Leadership Coalition
Ville Kaunisto	Member of Parliament	Parliamentary Group of the National Coalition Party
Lea Konttinen	Senior Lead	Sitra
Johanna Lahti	Editor in Chief	Ilta-Sanomat
Maria Mekri	Executive Director	SaferGlobe
Jani Mäkelä	Member of Parliament	The Finns Party Parliamentary Group
Jussi Mäkinen	Director, EU Regulation	Teknologiateollisuus
Päivi Nerg	State Secretary	Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Elisa Newby	Head of Department	Bank of Finland
Maria Ohisalo	Member of Parliament	Green Parliamentary Group
Paula Pokkinen	Head of	Yle News
Maria Rautavirta	Director of Databusiness Unit, Senior Ministerial Adviser	Ministry of Transport and Communications
Petri Salminen	Chairman	Suomen Yrittäjät
Heli Siivola	Senior Specialist for EU Affairs,	Prime Minister’s Office
Totti Sivonen	Executive Director	European Movenment Finland
Sari Tanus	Member of Parliament	Christian Democratic Parliamentary Group
Ismo Ulvila	Head of Communications	European Commission’s Representation in Finland
Päivi Wood	Chief Policy Adviser	Confederation of Finnish Industries

Sitra’s training courses have been bringing together Finnish decision-makers since 1977.Over the years, more than 2 500 decision-makers and influencers have participated in the leadership training for sustainable economic policy courses.