Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Finland Christer MICKELSON: “SUCCESS OF FINNISH PROSPERITY WAS DETERMINED BY LIBRARIES AND SYSTEM OF EDUCATION”

Almost a hundred years ago we lived in one state. Today Ukraine and Finland are separated not only by years, but by substantial distance in level of life of the two nations. Nowadays, Finland is one of the most developed countries of the world with the high level of income per head. And although its part in world production is not big, but it takes one of the first places in the world in size of gross national product (over 20 thousand $ per year).

They say that Finland reached such level of prosperity thanks to extremely intensive industrialization of production, which had explosive character in the 70th-80th years of the last century.

As Finns assure, success of that “explosion” was determined by… libraries. Being traditional and very popular in the country, they are first link in turn to well-educated workers and Finish economy of advanced technology. The next and the most important link in the chain of success is taken by the national system of education, which is considered one of the most successful in the world.

Ambassador of Finland in Ukraine Christer Mickelson

We will find out about these and other peculiarities of our old “relative” in our conversation with Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Finland in Ukraine Mr. Christer MICKELSON.

— Mr. Ambassador, one of September days, on the Day of Libraries of Ukraine, on behalf of your Embassy, you presented books to children`s libraries in Kiev and mentioned that libraries were rather popular in your country, they were one of the elements of success of Finnish society. Will you please tell about it in detail? Who “rules” librarianship in Finland?

— Libraries are part of traditional Finnish culture. The basic factor is that knowledge has always been and is still appreciated in my country. That`s why we believe that libraries should be free for everyone, who wishes to attend them. So libraries should be accessible to everyone and always be near us. Books are delivered even to the most distant and sparsely populated Finnish towns; we have special librarian buses for that. But you`d better see everything with your own eyes, it will be much more convincing than any story.

Now, when the whole world has gone over to new means of communication, city and village libraries implement up-to-date informational technologies actively and all over. Local authorities have enough rights and financial resources for that. The basic factor is that libraries are a matter of municipal self-sufficiency. That is why I think that Finnish libraries are the best in the world. I`m a big fan of books, so I can judge about it with certain competence.

As far as I Know, there are good librarian traditions in Ukraine too. That`s why we want to help them to strengthen their positions in modern world and use them for better presentation of Finnish culture to Ukrainians.

— Finnish literature, published in Ukrainian language, has been presented in Ukraine lately. Along with the world-known books about Mummiy Trol, now our readers have got a chance to get to know works of one of founders of Finnish national self-identification Zacharias Topelius, whose creative work is tightly connected with bases of Finnish culture… How substantial is the role of the Embassy of Finland in that?

— The Embassy of Finland plays very active role in this process, but it would be better determine as catalyzing − the main work is carried out by different parties of the market: editions and authors, in particular. I am lucky: I had good predecessors on my current position, who laid good base.

Work at new projects is being carried out now. For example, a translator from Lvov Natalia Ivanychuk has finished translating a book about history of Finland by young Finnish professor Henrik Mennaider. This book in Ukrainian edition was introduced to public and got positive resonance in several publishing houses. I can recommend this rather informative edition, which will tell about many instructive lessons of Finnish history.

As to Finnish literature, published in Ukrainian, I understand not too much has been done. There are very few professional translators who could take up this responsible task. Nevertheless, there are positive examples – I can mention novels by Andrey Kurkov, translated into Finnish and Swedish languages. “Zapovit” of the Ukrainian genius, translated into Finnish, is kept in the exposition of National Taras Shevchenko Museum in Kiev.

— If books and libraries are traditional part of Finnish culture, how can you explain such enviable addiction of Finns to published mass media in the epoch of powerful informational technologies and opportunities, provided by them? Since their circulation per head is the highest in European Union and in the world…

— Reading newspapers and magazines is national tradition. It is also part of our culture. Our habit, if you wish. In spite of modern technologies in informational space, I also have my newspapers delivered to my house and read them at breakfast. Many Finns do the same thing – when buying newspapers and journals, subscription is preferred to buying at news stalls. That`s why general circulation of our newspapers (it is about 200 titles) comes to three million copies, great part of which is issued daily.

Of course today in Finland, like in the whole world, powerful informational technologies play great role – cinema, TV, Internet… They have settled down at their positions firmly. But printed mass media still dominate: the society doesn`t just read much and traditionally, it also stimulates reading in all possible ways: for example, using various literary prizes. The main problem is different: our girls traditionally read more than boys. But Harry Potter helped to change the situation for the better.

— Ukraine also belonged to one of the “most reading countries in the world”… However, if I understood you correctly, Finland managed to use traditional addiction of its citizens to reading rationally and with more use. Did it become the basis for creation of the most successful in the world and the most efficient system of education?

— Yes, the basic factor here is the fact that knowledge has always been and is highly appreciated in Finland. Through centuries talented people had an opportunity to increase their social mobility with help of education. Educational schools have been accessible to everyone since the middle of the 19th century and education has been obligatory for almost a hundred years.

I would like to attract your attention to the fact that during all this time women have had the same rights for education as men. All available resources are used for optimization of educational process. All children are given great attention: the most talented of them study on advanced programs, the rest get the necessary portion of care and attention for harmonious development of their abilities. The essence of all this process is to supply the demand for well-educated workers in high-tech spheres of Finnish economy. By the way, learning of foreign languages and deeper acquaintance with foreign cultures are also important aspect of national development. Special means are invested into it. That is why it is very good that special educational program about Ukraine is studied at the University of Helsinki. It also means that they have realized in Finland: there is a large country in the center of Europe − Ukraine, which is worth learning more about it. New opportunities for learning Finnish in Ukraine have appeared: there are staff teachers at some higher educational establishments and a Scandinavian School functions in Kiev.

— How do you think these cultural and not just cultural relations between Finland and Ukraine will develop?

— Our bilateral links are very good. It regards not only cultural, but a number of other spheres of cooperation. There are a lot of mutual opportunities. The fact that Ukraine is a country with rich potential and well-educated population is guarantee of their successful realization. Cultural exchange is actively developing on this basis. But, of course, it should be more active.

Speaking about economics, personally I stick to the opinion that: more stability in economics, consecutive legislative reform and well-functioning judicial system would substantially improve possibilities for penetration of foreign business and, in particular, Finnish to Ukraine.

Personally I try watch all these processes carefully, notice changes in different spheres of life of your society, how ordinary Ukrainians live. This is the source of searching for new ways of cooperation between our countries, probably Finland`s feasible help in some matters. There are different projects in this regard. For example, we help Donetsk and Lugansk, Lvov and Odessa regions and also directly some Ukrainian villages.

— What kind of help are you talking about?

— For example, we give money to Odessa homeless children… We also support some non-state organizations, watch dynamic of their work. There are several so-called rural reasons for my travelling about Ukraine. I look at your fields: they are definitely different from Finnish ones. We do not have such huge spaces, though they may seem rather attractive to a newcomer, and rural views − amazing. But agricultural Ukraine holds much greater opportunities. I`m well aware of the situation in your country area – people live in an absolutely different way, than in cities there. That`s who needs urgent help. Actually, Ukrainian politicians speak up about it.

— How do Finnish villagers live?

— Finland was mostly agricultural country before the World War Two; industry consisted only of timber and paper production. After the War construction of the most up-to-date industrial objects was started. Alongside, as known, we lost 10% of our land – Karelia and people, who lived there, had to move to other territories. That could be called the beginning of the first big emigration of rural citizens. Soon great number of our workers moved to Sweden – there turned out to be much more work for them there, than on their Motherland. The first wave of outflow of people from rural territories are connected with Finland`s entry to European Union. It was evident that no matter how skillful our farmers were, they had too little space for successful competition on European market. So it was decided to unite small farms, provide them with state assistance. People, who were exempted from agricultural works, got other jobs, mainly in the sphere of service. In other words, during the last several decades Finnish agriculture went through substantial structural changes, very little part of population is engaged in it now.

— Does it mean that joining European Union caused Finland negative effects in social-economic life of society?

— On the contrary. And each guest of Finland can be assured of it personally. Being a country, depending on export, but having society, based on its knowledge and high general educational level, membership in European Union became for us an important condition to stay competitive in rapidly developing world. Many experts think that membership in European Union and Euro Zone stabilized Finnish economics, which used to be rather unstable and susceptible to changes in foreign economic conjuncture. So such membership was beneficial for most Finnish citizens, though it meant big changes for some of them, especially in agricultural sector. It can be said that nowadays agricultural sector of Finland is in the process of adjusting to new conditions. But principle conclusion is that if Finland had not joined European Union in 1995, today we would live as we did before − much worse, than we actually do today.

— Much is known about prosperity of Finns. Though it might seem that the part of small Finland in world production is insignificant… So what helped to reached general Scandinavian prosperity?

— I wouldn`t determine Finnish production as insignificant (smiles)… Seriously speaking, we have high level of gross national product per head. Because after the World War Two Finland made certain efforts, which I have mentioned above, and became a developed country. Special attention was given to our strong points: education and permanent life-long studying and also to diversification and internalization of production.

We realized long ago that Finland had four seasons, but they all pass in severe conditions of the North. So people are the biggest treasure and asset of the country. Only their endurance and proper education enable to produce goods of high quality. For now with our level of education and innovations we can compete on the world market. So I will repeat that Finnish get maximum of educational services – as much as possible. And this is the main thing the state does for increasing prosperity of the whole society.

— Finland, by the way like Ukraine, is export oriented and is really rather successful on world market. It is enough to remind of one of the most famous Finnish brands − mobile phones “Nokia”…

— Our government and state are very active in creating conditions, which are necessary for successful activity of companies. The task mainly is to determine our strong points and market needs and then indicate in what particular ways to satisfy the demands.

In this regard the state conscious decision, made in the middle of the 90th years of the last century was basic – to increase volume of researches and developments to the level, exceeding GNP for 3%. Cooperation of business with universities became not less important factor. Let me repeat once more, Finland cannot compete with cheap manpower, we need another sphere for competition.

It is very important for business to constantly get innovative support. Although this process by itself is not very quick. It makes it even more valuable. From this point of view, recent entry of Ukraine into the World Trade Organization seems very important. It means that your business has received new opportunities and certain “rules of play” on the world market. What does this fact mean for a Finnish businessman? Choosing Ukraine for promotion of his goods or services, he first of all pays attention to conditions and rules of business in your country.

— It is hard to disagree with you. Finland has very instructive experience of interaction of the state and business.

— For a long time a lot of basic resources and production of the country, such as, for example, energetic and some timber industry companies and other main productions belonged to the state. One of reasons for that was attempt to encourage economic activity of companies within so-called regional politics. During the last decades Finland has integrated into the world economics, broadened its connections with outer world and decreased participation of the state in direct ownership of resources and production.

On the other hand, participation of the state is not in owning these recourses, but rather in necessity of creation conditions for successful work of businessmen and enterprises. So it is about regulatory system and once more, about education and studying to a great extent. The question sounds like that: what do subjects of economic activity need? It is the source of program of cooperation between the state, business and universities. Business should say what it needs for successful activity today. Universities must correct their educational and scientific programs on this basis. We have good experience in this sphere.

— You have mentioned regional politics. What is its peculiarity in regard of relations between central and local levels of authority?

— Naturally, each society develops in its own way, which depends on historic traditions and preconditions, natural resources and things like that. One of the main differences between Finland and Ukraine in this sphere is in local authorities. Our municipalities have wide and independent privileges: they take care of schools, hospitals, public transport, etc.

Since January 1, 2010 Finland has been administratively divided into six provinces plus autonomous province Aland Islands and also communes, which are provided with broad self-government by the Constitution. The main factor here is that along with greater power and responsibilities, communes also have the right to set taxes and control the obtained money according to decisions of the local, democratically elected assembly – the “Council”. Thanks to it and also to separation of labor in public sector, the communes provide their inhabitants with conditions of society of Scandinavian prosperity.

In practice, it looks like that: the size of local taxes depends on level of salary of inhabitants of a particular region; low-paid workers pay insignificant sum to municipal treasury or do not pay anything. Municipal taxes are not proportional one to another, but each city or district work in approximately the same tax field – from 16 to 20%. Besides, it should be mentioned that the central authorities also allocate means from state budget to municipalities, according to a certain scheme, set by the law.

— Starting from the 60th years of the last century, the so-called “Finnish houses” became real lifesaver for many Ukrainian villagers. Till lately a summer resident of the country could hardly be imagined without them. Reliability, reasoning in planning and durability of “Finnish houses” survived trials by time. What traditions and fashion features prevail in current building of Finnish villages and rest settlements? What does Finland strive to surprise Ukrainians with?

— Log houses and philosophy, hidden behind them, are still very popular. Many people still build such houses – technology of log building is very simple and efficient. Especially in lake areas, where such houses are traditional. On seashore and archipelagoes dwelling houses are quite different. But guests of Finland equally like to have rest everywhere. But the main thing, as you say, that “Finnish houses” are sold in Ukraine. Once I visited an exhibition and saw what your summer country residents were interested in: highly comfortable projects of big size. They are visibly different from traditional Finnish ones. Our summer houses are small as a rule and they don`t necessarily must have hot water and toilet…

Though log houses are just part of Finnish architecture. The Minister of Housing of Finland has visited Ukraine recently. A big seminar on architectural matters, ecological planning of cities and energy saving technologies in construction took place with his participation. At many of his meetings they talked about possible municipal reconstructions and reorganizations in construction sphere of Ukraine. So Finland owns rather attractive base of cooperation, which is capable to overgrow philosophy of the familiar to you “Finnish House”.

— How are things going with Finnish baths? Do you attend them in Kiev? How Finnish are they in their essence?

— Unfortunately, in Kiev I haven`t visited any other baths except for the one, situated in our Embassy. We really have a real Finnish bath in our office. It remained from the times, when part of the building of the Embassy was taken by the residence of the Ambassador. Although I have had a chance to take a steam baths in your Carpathian saunas. What can I say? There are really many pleasant things in our everyday life, which make Finnish and Ukrainian people related…

And still, as far as I know, many producers of log saunas are doing very well in Ukraine. But I still you`d better try a Finnish sauna in Finland.

— Many Ukrainian children dream to visit Finland. To be more exact, they dream to visit Santa Clause, who lives in Finnish Lapland. He invited our children, when he visited Ukraine.

— We, Finns, are also inclined to believe that Santa Claus lives in the settlement of Korvatunturi in Lapland. He really brings joy and happiness to children. That`s why not only Finnish children, but boys and girls from all over the world send him letters and steadily get grateful answers. Santa behaves diligently and if he decides something, it certainly comes true. That`s what happened a year ago, when our Santa Claus visited Ukraine. 60 thousand little Ukrainians met him on the capital Maidan. Santa also visited disabled children in their boarding schools... I am also a father and a grandfather, so I watched happy smiles of Kiev Children with great pleasure and understanding.

However we, adults, understand that Santa Claus is a fairytale and his village in Rovaniemi is just private business. But you should agree that Santa Clause is a symbol, which is worth exporting. It is not accidental that our Santa has competitors – he is attached to different countries. But we are still sure that Santa Claus lives in Lapland (smiles). That is why our government supports him as one of Finnish brands.

— Ukrainians still remember recent visit of the President of Finland Tarja Halonen to our country, which became an important event in relations of our two states. What did it mean for Finland? What changes in bilateral relations should we expect after it?

— Summit visits have two aims: they either symbolize good relations or try to help to solve forthcoming great tasks. Visit of President Halonen is a bright example of the mentioned above.

Relations between our two countries are good, but we hope to intensify them in different directions. We have mutual desire and possibilities for that and there are objective preconditions. Here is an example of that. In general, our trade relations are rather efficient, annual bilateral trade comes to 600 million Euros. Though because of economic crisis this figure has slightly decreased now. But, first of all, Finnish export is 90% of trade turnover. Secondly, it has little influence on investment policy- unlike trade, amount of investments from Finland to Ukraine is not substantial and there is no stability in this sphere yet. It seems that Finnish investors, and not only them, by the way, are rather careful. At least, there are certain barriers for foreign investments in Ukraine, and from our country as well… Though, of course, we would be very glad to see progress in this sphere.

Media Center of “Prime Excursion Bureau”.

May 2010.