Minister Tiilikainen talked with the Agenda 2030 Youth Group about progress in sustainable development in Finland
The representatives of the Agenda 2030 Youth Group want to make sure that sustainable development is among the themes of Finland’s EU Presidency preparations. The Minister of the Environment, Energy and Housing Kimmo Tiilikainen met the new representatives of the Agenda 2030 Youth Group on Wednesday 4 April.
The group, set up on the initiative of Minister Tiilikainen and Prime Minister Sipilä, operates alongside the National Commission on Sustainable Development to make sure that the implementation of sustainable development is duly accounted for by the policy-makers. The term of the new group started on 1 March 2018 and it extends until the end of the year.
Minister Tiilikainen, vice-chair of the National Commission on Sustainable Development, has a very favourable view of the group. “Cooperation with the previous group was highly rewarding: young people are active, skilled and committed to promoting sustainable development. I trust that the new group will continue the work with the same level of expertise and enthusiasm.”
At the meeting of the Agenda 2030 Youth Group and Minister Tiilikainen ideas were put forward on the various means to influence the implementation of Agenda 2030 in Finland. The Agenda 2030 Youth Group stresses the need to establish the position of a Future Generations Ombudsman and wishes to participate in the monitoring of sustainable development, influence the upcoming county and parliamentary elections together with other similar interest groups, and make sure that sustainable development is on the agenda in Finland’s EU Presidency preparations.
During the previous term the group organised a presidential elections panel discussion on sustainable development where the six candidates answered questions concerning the climate and young people, and gave presentations in various kinds of events of civil society organisations. “Young people were seen as persons of influence of an equal standing, not just seminar participants” says Heta Heiskanen, member of the previous group.
The task of the young representatives appointed from different parts of Finland is also to communicate on the sustainable development challenges and encourage young people living in their home areas to take concrete action in support of sustainable development.
“Youth agents are the best way to achieve concrete changes. The young are the best actors to get other young people excited about strengthening sustainable development”, Minister Tiilikainen says. According to the minister, the young people understand very well the global nature of sustainable development, and he encouraged them to be active in international contexts as well.
The Agenda 2030 Youth Group cooperates with the Ministry of the Environment and Prime Minister’s Office and has a representative at the meetings of the National Commission on Sustainable Development.
Inquiries
Annika Lindblom, Secretary-General of the National Commission on Sustainable Development, Ministry of the Environment, tel. +358 295 250 163, [email protected]
Taru Savolainen, Special Adviser to Minister Tiilikainen, Ministry of the Environment, tel. +358 40 535 8622, [email protected]
