REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE SECRETARIAT AND THE SPEAKERS COUNCIL: 2010-2012 The previous session was held at Helsinki University from 24.-25/05/2012. Speaker Ville Itälä presented the resolutions of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament s sixth session to the Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi on 7/12/2012. In the years 2010 to 2012 the speakers and the secretariat have endeavoured to promote all resolutions made at the 2010 session as well as at the previous sessions. This report briefly presents the development of the 2010 resolutions. The report can also be read on the FEP s website www.usp.fi - Session 2012 The 2010 Parliamentary Resolutions. On the same website you also have access to the full texts of the 2010 resolutions. 1. Price of the citizenship declaration and the right of special groups to regain Finnish citizenship free of charge Changes to Citizenship law became effective on September 1, 2011. After this date a former Finnish citizen and his under aged child may apply for the restoration of Finnish citizenship without residency in Finland. This right does not include adult children of former Finnish citizens or the grandchildren of former Finnish citizens. The price of the citizenship declaration remains the same. 2. Separate constituency for expatriate Finns (dismissed) 3. Postal voting possible for expatriate Finns The Ministry for Justice has asked for statements from all coalition government political parties on granting postal voting for expatriate Finns. If the parties take a positive view on the project, the responsible minister will submit a proposal to the government, which in its turn would lead to a proposal in the national parliament (Eduskunta) during Fall 2013. 4. Extending the period of validity of biometric passports So far, the technical aspects of the biometric micro chips are not considered safe enough to allow validity past five years. However, the Finnish Chief of Police Mikko Paatero in June 2012 stated that long term passports are necessary and that they would be issued soon again, maybe as soon as within five years. 5. Portable passport system to ease applying for a Finnish passport In 2010 pilot projects were started in Canada and Spain. In 2011 a portable unit was taken into use in the USA. In 2012 a portable unit was acquired by the Finnish Embassy in Australia.
6. More flexible passport application procedures to be implemented by the Finnish authorities Because of problems with resources the Foreign Ministry does not have plans to prolong service hours at foreign embassies. Because of security issues and application procedures any other staff but those especially appointed by Finnish authorities, cannot issue official documents. 7. Applying for an identity card abroad The matter is not currently considered. 8. Expatriate Finnish artists to be covered by state grants In several of the 2010 resolutions it was stated that more support and funding should be available for expatriate Finns for various activities (resolution 8, 23, 26, 44 and 58). As a rule the state does not directly support Finnish activities abroad but strives to channel possible financial support via various channels operating in Finland so that the state can ensure the best possible tracking and control of tax revenues. Most of the funding that expatriate Finns receive is issued by the Ministry of Education and Culture and is administered by Suomi-Seura. Suomi-Seura grants funding to Finnish Schools abroad (Finnish Schools activityfunding), Finnish expatriate organisations, Finnish expatriate media as well as to Finnish expatriate youth- and student organisations. For more information go to: www.suomi-seura.fi Grants (Apurahat). Raha-automaattiyhdistys (RAY) The Finnish Slot Machine Association Raha-automaattiyhdistys mainly grants financial support to the social- and health sector. Until now Rahaautomaattiyhdistys did not directly support activities happening abroad but only supported expatriate Finnish activities indirectly via domestic agents. One example for this is the Benelux-project which was managed by the Finnish Seamen s Mission (Merimieskirkko). Another example is RAY s support of the LUETUS-project which is helping the visually impaired and which also benefits the Finnish-speaking visually impaired community in Sweden. Part of Suomi-Seura s Information Services for Senior Citizens is equally financed by RAY. In spring 2012 RAY has changed its funding criteria and since then Finnish expatriate organisations may apply for direct funding. In addition to the usual funding criteria expatriate applicants must fulfil the following criteria: - The successful applicant represents a charitable organisation registered in Finland or an institution/foundation promoting health and social well-being. - The law on grants by RAY applies to such grants for use outside of Finland unless regulated in a different law. - The supported project/activity is consistent with RAY s strategy and principles. - The successful applicant shows stable activity, good management and economic efficiency. The applicant has a robust position in the target country as well as among relevant collaborators in the area of activity. Furthermore the applicant collaborates with Finnish agents. - Together with his interest group the applicant maps out and clearly defines his/her needs for the activity that is being supported. - The project/the activity is clearly targeted at expatriate Finns. - The project/the activity may not be superimposed onto an activity organised by local agents but for instance supports and complements it. The activity is not within the mandate of the public sector. The activity may only have a slight effect on competition or market activities.
- The project s/the activity s output, models, good practices etc. are as far as possible also transferable and beneficial to other countries in which expatriate Finns live as well as to Finland itself. For more information go to: www.ray.fi/fi/jarjestot Veikkaus Oy Veikkaus transfers betting funds to the Ministry of Culture and Education which distributes the funds according the legislation on division (jakosuhdelaki 23.11.2001/1054). The ministry of culture and education supports for instance projects related to education, science, culture, sports and youth work. Application forms and guidelines as well as more information on grants are available on the ministry s website: www.minedu.fi. The European Union EU support is available via the regional policy funds as well as other EU-programs. For more information go to the EU s own website: europa.eu/policies-activites/funding-grants/index_fi.htm Private distributors of grants and scholarships In Finland there are numerous foundations and organisations funding the cultural and scientific activities of non-governmental organisations and individuals. When applying for funding for the expatriate Finnish activities it is essential to check on the grant-maker s application form or in the application rules whether grants are also given to activities or projects taking place abroad and if so on what conditions. If necessary, Suomi-Seura can issue a statement or recommend a project for funding. On the website of the Council of Finnish Foundations you can find links to websites of Finnish private foundations: www.saatiopalvelu.fi. 9. Support for the historical opera (see resolution 8) 10. Equal funding for educational purposes to the Finland Societies on the Spanish Costa del Sol Discussions have been held both initiated by the Finland-Society and within the Costa del Sol Cooperation Board (Aurinkorannikon neuvottelukunta). On Costa del Sol there is a development project, SYKES ry, which was founded to develop the local Finnish associations' interests and services. 11. State support for Finnish expatriate events The Finnish government still supports expatriate events through annually distributed grants administered by Suomi-Seura. 12. The Finnish Artist of the Year prize to Sweden The topic does not belong to the FEP. 13. Translating publications on the history of Finnish migration into English
The Institute of Migration does not consider translating the whole series into English expedient. Rather, the Institute is planning a one volume summary based on all six original books. Financing is being applied for and an author is being engaged. The book will be available both in Finnish and in English. 14. The Finnish Emigrant Museum in Peräseinäjoki The Finnish Emigrant Museum s Support Association (Suomen Siirtolaisuusmuseon Tuki ry) completely took over the management of the Finnish Emigrant Museum and its Global Village Road (Maailman Raitti) as of 1/6/2012. Independence from the Institute of Migration and Seinäjoki s city administration was a step towards the acquirement of the status of a special national museum. Consistent with with the demands of a special museum, the museum is seeking funds to pay for museum staff and the development of the museum. 15. Former citizens of Finland and their descendants to be able to acquire Finnish citizenship without time limits (see resolution 1) 16. Summer jobs in Finland for Finnish expatriate youth Due to the economic crisis youth unemployment is rising also in Finland. 17. Finnish trainees in Finnish expatriate organizations The Finland-Society gives advice on the best way to apply for a Finnish trainee. In Spain for instance there are examples for how Finnish trainees got a job at a local organisation. 18. Paid journeys for Finnish conscripts residing abroad The Ministry of Defence is going through radical cost cutting at the moment so a change in financing on this score is not expected. 19. Student financial aid for expatriate Finns The FEP decided not to decide on the issue. 20. Student discounts on train and bus services in Finland to be made available again to those Finnish expatriate students who do not receive financial aid for students In autumn 2011 the State Railways (VR) have renewed their ticketing systems. The earlier you buy a ticket, the cheaper it is. The old student discount policy is still retained within some ticket categories. Students who do not receive student support through Kela are not entitled to student reductions. 21. Activities for young people during sessions of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament
The resolution recommends organising a program for the young members of the Finnish expatriate community. However with regards to the 2012 session the Finnish expatriate organisations have not made any suggestions as to what this youth program should look like. 22. Activities for children under 3 years to be included in the state subsidy for Suomi Schools Support for under 3-year-olds is still not covered by state subsidies. 23. Support for students over 18 years of age in Suomi Schools (see resolution 8) 24. The criteria for calculating the state subsidies for Suomi Schools to be reformed and the amount of the subsidies to be significantly increased Through a decision in the Eduskunta 200 000 was added to the Suomi-School allowance for the year 2011. The next year that rise had been eliminated in the budget proposition but lobbying work managed to return 150 000 to the budget. The final state subsidy for the Suomi-Schools for 2012 is 600 000. In the budget proposal for the year 2013 the extra 150 000 added last year have been removed again. 25.Research on the significance of the work done in the Suomi Schools 26. Country-specific training for Suomi School teachers Country-specific money for training is not available. Additional training is financed by the common state subsidy for Suomi-Schools. When the subsidy gets increased, country-specific trainings also get their share. Country-specific training is organised regularly in different parts of the world. (see also resolution 8) 27. Remedial teaching and special needs education as well as good learning conditions to be guaranteed in European Schools The problem has been discussed on numerous occasions during visits and discussions with the Ministry for Education and Culture and the Finnish National Board of Education. 28. Legislation on the financing of and teaching in the basic education of Finnish expatriate pupils The problem has been discussed on numerous occasions during visits and discussions with the Ministry for Education and in Parliament (Eduskunta). In November 2011 the FEP made a submission to the Parliamentary Ombudsman on the matter. In his answer of 17/9/2012 the Assistant Parliamentary Ombudsman stated that no unlawful practices or neglect had been occurring. 29. Post of a lecturer in Finnish at the University of Iceland to be preserved According to the Ministry of Education the costs for maintaining the post are too high if Iceland does not contribute to the costs. According to the Center for International Mobility (CIMO), negotiations are underway with the University of Iceland to allow for a new model that would hire the lecturer locally instead of sending him/her from Finland. This would mean substantially lower costs. A statement is now expected from the
University on the matter, which means this Fall there will be no Finnish language studies available at the University. It is hoped the Finnish language studies could be resumed next year. 30. The special status of Ingrian Finns to be preserved 48 of the Aliens Act (Ulkomaalaislaki) was changed in January 2011 and it entered into force on 1.7. 2011. After this date Ingrians are part of the normal immigration procedures. Right to a permanent residency permit is still retained by former displaced persons and war, not, however, by the politically persecuted. 31. Repatriation of expatriate Finns must be a priority in the Finnish immigration policy The Ministry of Interior is preparing a new Government Policy Programme that will define the special status of Expatriate Finns. The Programme is scheduled to be approved in the Fall of 2012. It is to a large extent an update of the former policy on expatriate Finns. The granting of a residence permit is already easier for former Finnish citizens and to persons with at least one Finnish grandparent currently or formerly a citizen. 32. A monument to be erected in honour of the wartime efforts of Finnish women No action necessary by the FEP. 33. The status and situation of the Finnish language in Sweden Since the beginning of 2012, 40 municipalities and 10 county councils have joined the Finnish language administration area in Sweden. The Finnish language administration are covers about half of the Swedish- Finnish population. In April of 2012 six new municipalities applied to join the language administration area. 34. Statistical data from the Population Register to be made available to Finnish expatriate organizations No action necessary by the FEP. 35. The status of the residence permits of Finns in Turkey to be made equal to the status of the residence permits of other European citizens Turkey renewed its residency permit practices on January 9, 2012. As a consequence, the residency permit fees for Finns have been radically reduced. At the same time, the possibility to extend the 90-day visa free sojourn by leaving the country and then re-entering has been abolished. 36. The significance of the town of Hanko in Finnish migration history Next year Hanko museum will organise numerous events related to the city s history of migration. The exhibition entitled Amerikkaaan, Amerikkaan! will be open from 2/5/2013 until October 2013. In the summer migration festivities and other events will take place complementing the exhibition. For more information contact Hanko musem: museo@hanko.fi
37. The word sauna to be protected The subject is not within the competence of the FEP. 38. Reduction of the basic security pensions in Finland and Sweden The Ministry of Finance has stated that the current policy is in line with the EU Regulation on Social Security and that there is no reason to change the policy. 39. Taxation of retired expatriate Finns 40. and 41. Accrual of earnings-related pension Discussions have been held with the Finnish Center for Pensions and the FCP has participated in expatriate Finnish events.
42. Development and funding of the support networks for aging expatriate Finns residing in Central Europe The Central European network is under construction. Suomi-Seura partners are the Finnish Seamen's Church, the Finnish Evangelical-Lutheran Church and the Institute of Migration. 43. Organizing a chain of care for senior citizens The FEP does not decide on its own initiatives. 44. Support for Finnish senior citizens and Finnish senior homes abroad RAY (Finland's Slot Machine Association) has changed its guidelines on the application of grants in the Spring of 2012. The new guidelines will make applications from abroad for expatriate Finnish projects within the health and social welfare sector possible. In the future the criteria will also be made available on RAY s own website: www.ray.fi. (see also resolution 8) 45. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities The present government has expressed an intention to ratify the convention during its tenure. The national ratification process is still ongoing. Ratification requires changes in many different areas of legislation. The ratification is being prepared by a committee appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its tenure ends in 2013. 46. Inheritance tax The FEP did not decide on the issue. 47. Consular services in the event of lost identity documents According to the Law on Consular Services, financially aiding Finns permanently settled abroad is not part of the duties of the Finnish Foreign Service. A Finnish person temporarily residing abroad has the right to apply for help in emergencies. 48. Specification to the benefits of war veterans The allocation of graves is still the responsibility of the different municipalities. They are responsible for deciding on what grounds a burial place is granted. 49. Social and health services Kela (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland) organises information events both in Finland and occasionally abroad. Discussions have been held with the Finnish Center for Pensions and the FCP has participated in expatriate Finnish events.
50. Extending the healthcare agreement between Finland and Canada to also concern other provinces than only Quebec Negotiations have not yet begun. 51. Change of the time limit in Finnish paternity legislation According to the current Government Programme, the paternity legislation will be revised. The Ministry for Justice has prepared a PM, which Suomi-Seura and the FEP have submitted their comments on. On 25/04/2012 a working group has been put in place for further preparatory works and a control group has been established on 23/5/2012. The working group s and control group s mandate ends on 30/9/2012. In its verdict 2012:11 in January 2012 the Supreme Court of Finland decided that the paternity suit limitations on submitting claims in the case were contrary to the Finnish Constitution 10 and the European Convention on Human Rights Article 8, right to family life. The time limit was left unapplied and paternity was established. 52. Adjustment of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament s By-laws The new by-laws are in force. 53. The permanent establishment of the Committee for Political and Official Issues The Committee is now permanent. 54. The right for observers to speak in committee meetings The Committee may grant permission to observers to speak. 55. Division of the Mediterranean, Middle East and African region The resolution did not lead to any measures. 56. German as an official language of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament The resolution did not lead to any measures. 57. Registration of communities and the deadlines for submitting initiatives The next deadline for the submission of initiatives is July 26th 2012. Because the deadline was in the middle of summer the invitations to the session were already sent to members in February 2012 so that the organisations would have enough time to register already before summer. Even though members had more time to register, many organisations nevertheless only submitted their registration at the same time as their representatives (at the latest by 14/9/2012). On the contrary the deadline for submission of initiatives (26/7/2012) well adhered to. 58. Compensation of travel costs of small Finnish expatriate communities travelling to the Finnish Expatriate Parliament session
The resolution did not lead to any measures. 59. Finnish Expatriate Parliament accounts and budget The annual grant to the Finland-Society has not been increased. 60-63. The Finnish Broadcasting Company's (YLE) services for expatriate Finns Since the beginning of this year satellite broadcasts in Finnish are no longer available outside of Europe. The reason for this change is that YLE is moving its radio broadcasts to the Internet. Radio channels YleSat 1 and YleSat 2 can still be heard in Europe within TV Finland's distribution network and the Thor satellite. TV Finland will go through some changes in the near future so that its broadcasts will include programmes from YLE FST5 and Yle Teema. YLE has moreover opened a channel on youtube (www.youtube.com/yle). The material posted on youtube can also be found on YLE Areena and Elävä arkisto on www.yle.fi. So far only YLE s entertainment programmes can be watched through this service but in the future also the news and entire programmes will be accessible on YouTube provided that an agreement is reached regarding copyrights. The Speakers' Council continues its active dialogue with YLE to develop services for expatriate Finns. 64. Improving the viewing possibilities of Finnish television programs in Turkish Alanya Yleisradio states that the viewing problems in Turkey are the responsibility of the local operator and card system. The operator is a different one from the rest of Europe. 65. Regional subpages to the Finnish Expatriate Parliament website so that Finnish expatriate communities can inform of their own activities The resolution did not lead to any measures. 66. Preserving the history of Finnish war veterans and Lottas in Canada It was preliminary agreed with the Institute of Migration that a formal request should be submitted in writing in September 2010. The Institute has unfortunately stated that it is currently unable to start this project due to lack of resources. In 2011 a working group made up of three persons interviewed war veterans living in the Vancouver area of Canada. The project was called Rintamalta Länsirannikolle From the Front to the West Coast. The result of the project will be a two part television documentary and a book. For further information go to: http://vfc.vcn.bc.ca/from-the-front-to-the-west-coast/ 67. Support for Ingrian historical publications (see resolution 8)