A Diverse Helsinki
This spring, municipal and regional elections will be held throughout Finland. In Helsinki, you can influence the composition of the City Council with your vote, and it’s no small matter: The Helsinki City Council decides on issues that affect your everyday life, such as transport, education or healthcare.
I am standing for Helsinki City Council on the list of the Left Alliance because I want to work for a greener, fairer and more democratic Helsinki.
We live in a time when many crises are accumulating and interlinking. Climate change and the loss of nature threaten the whole of humanity and life on our planet, which is why we must take planetary boundary conditions into account in our decision-making and make fundamental changes to our society. At the same time, the rise of the far right and nationalism around the world threatens security everywhere. In Finland, the decisions of the right-wing government are undermining the lives of many people, especially those on low incomes, and increasing inequality.
In these circumstances, I believe that we cannot just sit back and wait for things to change for the better, but we must take action. That is why I am running for the City Council: you can also act at city level. The solutions to the global problems of today’s world lie in community, solidarity and democratic decision-making based on evidence. Building a better, safer and fairer Helsinki cannot be done alone, it takes everyone.
Helsinki is for all, not for the few.
Today’s crises threaten diversity. Biodiversity is collapsing as humans over-exploit the planet’s limited resources. The far right wants to close borders and offers the illusion of a homogeneous people, when in reality people have always moved. Life is a joyful mix! The political debate is also dominated by the idea of ’no alternative’, which is cultivated especially by right-wing politicians. But this is not the case. There are alternatives. Throughout history, people have had many ways of organising their common affairs and imagining the possibilities of the future. This lack of alternatives is only one thing: a lack of (political) imagination.
We defend diversity.
I think the most beautiful thing about Helsinki is its diversity, which I want to promote through my work. The diversity of rich natural areas must be protected. Neighbourhoods have their own history and are home to people from different backgrounds. Helsinki residents can meet each other and decide together on issues that affect them. Politics is not just a matter for the City Council and the Parliament, but is made everywhere where decisions are made on common issues.
The main themes of my election campaign are the environment, education and culture, democracy and inclusion, without excluding other important topics and topical issues that I address in my blog posts.
VOTE FOR BIODIVERSITY!
As a prosperous city, Helsinki must do all it can to fight climate change and biodiversity loss. At the same time, environmental action contributes to people’s well-being. They help build a better and more carefree everyday life for all.
Emissions down!
Carbon neutrality must be achieved by 2040. Achieving this ambitious goal will require a new way of designing the city. Instead of private cars and a consumer culture, Helsinki must make room for free public transport and community-based, non-commercial meeting places.
Helsinki’s biggest source of emissions is traffic. The use of private cars must be limited and the city planning must guarantee the possibility of a car-free life, for example by developing local services around the city, as well as a functional and diverse public transport network. Public transport should be affordable or even free of charge.
Light transport routes must be developed and maintained all year round. This will promote walking and cycling, which also have an impact on people’s health and well-being.
Nature for all, not for the few!
Humans do not live in isolation from nature, but share the world with other creatures. The city is a complex and diverse ecosystem where many different species interact. All living things have the right to live, including plants and animals. The rights of all living things must be taken into account in urban planning.
Helsinki has valuable natural sites that must be protected from development, and green spaces must be increased. Being in nature has been proven to support human health and well-being, which is why every Helsinki resident should have outdoor recreation opportunities close to home.
Animal rights must be protected in Helsinki. An animal protection centre must be set up and given resources. Public food services should provide mostly plant-based food, which will promote animal rights and reduce emissions.
Vote for a diverse culture!
Education is the cornerstone of democracy. Children and adults alike have the right to learn, grow and develop, whatever their background. Helsinki is a diverse cultural city, and its cultural operators should be supported.
High-quality education for all ages!
Children are tomorrow’s citizens. Resources must be directed to early childhood education, primary and secondary education. There must be enough adults in all schools for all children. Small group sizes and well-qualified staff make for a safe growing and learning environment. School bullying must be tackled.
Helsinki is a multilingual and multicultural city. This is the richness of our city. Children and young people have various needs for support that have to be taken into account, and we must invest in the integration of immigrants.
Adults also have the right to learn. Voluntary education enables people to develop their skills and promotes well-being. Adult education centres must be supported financially to keep course fees as low as possible.
Vibrant culture for all!
Art and culture are an important part of people’s lives. They connect people, generate well-being and can promote civic participation. Cultural services must be available throughout the city for all Helsinki residents. Support for local actors, such as libraries and cultural centres, must be strengthened.
Children must have the right to pursue their hobbies close to home. Family background must not affect young people’s access to arts education and sporting activities.
The City of Helsinki must support cultural professionals by offering fair employment contracts. Many artists and creative professionals are freelancers who need functional and affordable working spaces. The city should develop the rental of empty spaces.
Vote for diverse neighbourhoods!
Helsinki belongs to everyone. All Helsinki residents must have equal opportunities to participate in decision-making. Democracy is an ongoing process, which also takes place between elections. The City of Helsinki must fight against inequality in the regions by keeping housing prices down and developing the coverage and functionality of local services.
For participatory local democracy!
Helsinki is a big city, made up of many different areas. The residents of each district know best the needs of their own neighbourhood. Forms of participatory democracy need to be developed. The city should set up residents’ panels with representatives of different groups. Neighbourhood councils should allow residents to decide on the use of the budget for their area.
Active politics must be developed, where everyone has real and easy access to the decision-making process. We have to ensure access for all, including young people and migrants, by developing low-threshold means of participation. Non-human animals and flora should also be taken into account in decision-making.
Therefore, democratic urban spaces are needed where dialogue between different people is possible, such as libraries and other non-commercial spaces. Feminist urban planning is needed to ensure that the needs of all are taken into account in the design of public space.
Local services everywhere!
For all Helsinki residents to participate in democracy, they need to live well. The city must provide everyone with high-quality, functional local services that make everyday life easier and also prevent inequality and segregation in neighbourhoods.
The city’s housing policy must be sustainable. People on low incomes and living alone must also have the possibility to live in the capital. Rents down! Participatory democracy should also be brought to the local level, for example in housing associations.
The coverage and availability of social services are key objectives in promoting the well-being of city dwellers. Helsinki residents must have an easy and quick access to care when they need it.
The Helsinki of the future is diverse.
The Helsinki of the future is a city where people live close to nature and share their environment non-violently with other species. It is a city where climate goals, biodiversity and animal rights are taken seriously.
Helsinki of the future is a city where everyone can learn, whatever their background. It is a city where culture thrives and welcomes people from all walks of life.
The Helsinki of the future is a city where decisions are made by the residents themselves and where solidarity and community are more than just words. It will be a city where people feel they belong.
The Helsinki of the future is a city where everyone can live well, not just the few.
Such a city is possible. Vote for the Left Alliance in the municipal elections on 13 April 2025!