Helsinki, 19 October 2026 – Mirsal ry brought together young people, political decision-makers, civil society representatives and diplomatic guests at Eurooppasali in Helsinki for the seminar “From Finland to Democracy: Inspiring Success Stories.”

The event, organised as part of the Erasmus+ funded Migrant Voices for Democracy project, welcomed approximately 90 participants to discuss youth participation, democracy, inclusion and the importance of creating meaningful dialogue between young people and decision-makers.

Former President Tarja Halonen: “Finland Is Your Country Too”

One of the highlights of the seminar was the participation of former President of Finland Tarja Halonen, whose presence sent a powerful message about inclusion and the importance of listening to young people from diverse backgrounds.

In her speech, Halonen reminded participants that Finland belongs to them too and that they have the right to participate in shaping its future.

Her warm and approachable interaction with young participants created an encouraging atmosphere. She even used the Arabic expression “Yalla Yalla,” bringing humour and smiles to the audience.

Her message reflected one of the seminar’s central ideas: young people with migrant backgrounds are not simply recipients of integration services but active members of Finnish society with the right to influence decisions affecting their lives.

Bringing Youth Voices into Political Discussions

The seminar featured a panel discussion with Members of the Finnish Parliament Veronika Honkasalo and Inka Hopsu, Naima El-Issaoui, Vantaa City Councillor representing the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and civil society advocate Melis Arı-Gürhanlı. The discussion was moderated by young participant Ismail Benaalla, who has been actively involved in the Migrant Voices for Democracy project.

The discussion addressed several challenges facing young people today, including hate speech, discrimination, political participation, funding cuts affecting civil society and the growing distance between young people and political institutions.

Participants also reflected on the upcoming 2027 elections and how political engagement could become more accessible to young people, particularly those with migrant backgrounds.

Young participants were encouraged to ask questions, challenge perspectives and share their own experiences directly with decision-makers.

An International and Multicultural Gathering

The seminar welcomed representatives of diplomatic missions, including the Embassy of Tunisia and the Embassy of Morocco, alongside representatives of Finnish institutions, civil society organisations and youth communities.

Their participation highlighted the importance of cooperation between public institutions, civil society and communities in strengthening democratic participation.

The event also demonstrated the value of creating spaces where people from different backgrounds and generations can meet on equal terms.

Young People at the Heart of the Event

A particularly important aspect of the seminar was the active involvement of young people in its planning and implementation.

Young volunteers contributed to programme development, communication, photography, registration and event coordination. Their contributions demonstrated that meaningful youth participation goes beyond attending events. It means having responsibility, taking initiative and helping shape the conversations that matter.

The seminar also marked an important moment in the Migrant Voices for Democracy project, which has supported young people in developing their understanding of democratic institutions, advocacy and active citizenship.

From Dialogue to Action

The discussions did not end with the seminar.

Following the event, former President Halonen shared a practical suggestion for bringing young people closer to political decision-making: organising visits to the Finnish Parliament to observe parliamentary question time and better understand how political decisions are discussed.

This proposal reflected the wider ambition of Mirsal ry to transform dialogue into concrete opportunities for civic participation.

“Democracy becomes stronger when young people are not only invited to listen but are genuinely given space to speak, question and influence. Seeing young people from migrant backgrounds engage directly with a former President, Members of Parliament and other decision-makers shows what inclusion can look like in practice,” said Sandra Tutah, Executive Director of Mirsal ry.

Continuing the Work for Inclusive Democracy

For Mirsal ry, the seminar represented more than a single successful event. It was part of a broader commitment to ensuring that young people, regardless of their background, have opportunities to participate in society and influence their future.

Through the Migrant Voices for Democracy project and its wider youth initiatives, Mirsal ry continues to promote active citizenship, equality, youth leadership and dialogue between communities and institutions.

The message of the day was clear: democracy belongs to everyone, and young people must be part of shaping its future.

The seminar was organised by Mirsal ry as part of the Erasmus+ funded Migrant Voices for Democracy project.

Photography: Younis Alshaikhkhalil