World Village Festival to discuss radicalisation, the refugee crisis and funding reductions
The event, organised by umbrella organisation for development co-operation Kepa, will bring together social activists, experts and politicians to talk about radicalisation, development co-operation cuts, the refugee situation, hate speech, and more. The festival’s main theme is justice.
World Village Festival is one of the largest festivals in Helsinki and this May, it will once again assemble a selection of social commentators, politicians, activists and experts to discuss current issues. In addition to musical and other artistic performances, around 50 discussion events are scheduled, featuring representatives of civil society organisations as well as leading politicians.
“World Village Festival has solidified its position as a place for fostering social dialogue, and for civil society organisations, it’s a unique opportunity to present their perspectives and to inspire others to work for a better world. Last year’s festival was attended by 77,000 visitors, and the event’s lasting appeal is evidence of the demand for discussion on civil society issues”, states Timo Lappalainen, Executive Director of Kepa, the festival’s organiser.
Program includes e.g. discussion on cuts to development co-operation funds
The current topics at this year’s festival include, among others, cuts to development co-operation funds. Representatives from Finn Church Aid, the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission and other organisations that specialise in the lives of the world’s poorest will be present to talk about the cuts’ effects on developing countries. Lenita Toivakka, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, will speak on the significance of Finnish aid in Asia and the role of the private sector in sustainable development. New global targets for sustainable development will be examined in a panel that includes representatives from the UNDP, UNA Finland and the festival’s primary organiser Kepa.
Who bears responsibility for building a just world? The question will be put to politicians from various parties in a discussion hosted by Annika Damström at Railway Square. Guests include Merja Kyllönen, Pekka Haavisto, Eva Biaudet, Simon Elo, Saara-Sofia Sirén, Antero Laukkanen and Katri Kulmuni.
Hate speech has come to pose a challenge for freedom of speech, and this theme will be explored in a discussion hosted by Finnish PEN, Maailman Kuvalehti and the Finnish Foundation for Media and Development. Participants include journalists Jessikka Aro and Husu Hussein.
The whole programme on the website of World Village Festival
World Village Festival
World Village Festival is held 28–29 May in Kaisaniemi Park and Railway Square in Helsinki, 11–20 on Saturday and 11–18 on Sunday. The festival’s theme is justice.
The admission to the festival is free.
Organisers
The main organiser of the largest culture and civil society festival in Finland is Kepa, an umbrella organisation for development co-operation. The festival’s main partners are the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, the European Union, Finland’s Slot Machine Association and the Metro newspaper.
