Canadian Representative of the Youth Committee of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament interviewed by the FCS

The Finnish Expatriate Parliament held its last plenary session in Helsinki from May 26-29, 2005. Expatriate Finns from all over the world descended on Helsinki for four days of sessions. Currently some 428 organizations from 33 countries have ratified the by-laws of the Parliament. Some of the board members of the Finnish-Canadian Society were able to meet some of the Canadian representatives. Just recently one of our board members mentioned that there is a Youth Committee of the FEP as well. Markus Räty, who is the current Editor in Chief of Vapaa Sana, We caught up with Markus and posed the same questions we posed to Veli J. Ylänkö and Niilo Saari earlier this year. You have to get a copy of Vaahteranlehti to see what issues they touched on in their interviews. Find out more about the Finnish Expatriate Parliament on the web at: http://www.usp.fi/. Contact us at the Suomi-Kanada Seura by e-mailing us: info [at] suomikanadaseura.fi.

Finnish Canadian Society: How long have you lived in Canada?

Markus Räty: Born in Toronto, Ontario on June 4, 1975 - lived here since then!

FCS: How did you get involved with the youth expatriate parliament?

MR: First a slight clarification; it's actually the Youth Committee of the FEP, there is no official Youth FEP as such.

I represented the Finnish Social Counselling Service of Toronto at the first Expat Parliament session in 1998. The youth committee was the obvious choice for me. I then had the chance to be the spokesperson for the committee and have been involved one way or another ever since (I served as Chairman at the most recent session in May)

FCS: What kind of criteria must you fulfill to be in this kind of position?

MR: Simple criteria - passionate about Finnishness. The only specific criteria is that you are the representative of a Finnish organization that has ratified the bylaws of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament.

FCS: What kind of duties must you fulfill as a member of the Youth FEP?

MR: My duties are as minimal or expansive as I want them to be. Meaning that at minimum it means showing up in Helsinki every couple of years and participating in the meetings. Ideally a member of the youth committee would remain in touch with their committee peers in between sessions developing initiatives for future work as well as being active in their own local Finnish communities.

FCS: What would you consider the greatest achievements of the Youth Committee of the FEP?

MR: Our greatest achievement has been connecting dynamic and passionate Finnish youth all over the world and engaging them in meaningful dialogue with respect to our shared identity. This will result in greater visibility of the Finnish diaspora and its unique
culture in all corners of the world.

FCS: Who are some of the other prominent Finnish-Canadians that you work with?

MR: You name them; I work with them in some capacity -Veli Ylänkö, Acting Consul Sisko Peltonen-Siren, Former Ambassador Ilkka Ristimäki, leaders of all Finnish organizations in Toronto (Osuuspankki, Vapaa Sana, both churches, etc.)

FCS: Do you meet often, and when you do, what do you discuss?

MR: As General Manager of Canada's Finnish newspaper Vapaa Sana, and Chairman of the Board of Toronto's Osuuspankki, my professional life is one big meeting of Finns and their issues. We discuss all matters that affect Finns, young and old, in Canada.

FCS: What have been the major goals for the youth delegates of the FEP?
MR: 1. Improving awareness of the FEP and indeed Finnishness itself internationally. 2. Establishing a viable and active international network of young Finns. 3. Improving communication from Finland (e.g. information of educational opportunities and military
service requirements) to young expat Finns wherever they may be.

FCS: What are some of the more important issues the Youth Committee of the FEP is discussing these days?

MR: See above.

FCS: How do you think Finns (in Finland) see Canada today?

MR: As a land of opportunity and ethnic diversity. And as the greatest hockey-playing nation on earth. I think most Finns feel a certain kinship with Canadians. This may be the result of similar geography, an appreciation of each others' way of life, and shared
sensibilities societally and economically.

FCS: How do Canadians see Finland today?

MR: There really isn't nearly enough awareness about Finland in Canada today. To be frank, most Canadians don't know much at all about Finland and several old stereotypes (alcoholism, suicide, introvertedness) are still pervasive amongst many. However, with Finland's increasingly prominent place on "best in the world" lists, attitudes are slowly changing, first to one of bewilderment then to one of mutual respect (since Canada shares a high placing on many of these lists). ALSO, many Canadians have only been exposed to Finland through hockey and because of Finland's recent ascension to the top-ranks; much respect has been garnered on this front.

FCS: What would you say Canada and Finland have in common?

MR: Lots. northern-type countries with four distinct and similar seasons. this shared geography penetrates the fabric of both societies. We are both winter-peoples. Also, similar social welfare attitudes (if not practices), and shared environmental sensibilities.
Both quiet and reserved, at least when compared to larger, limelight-hogging neighbours. To that point, both have existed, and come out from, the shadows of much larger, richer neighbours. This has served to develop a shared respect for each others' histories and challenges therein. Similar athletic pursuits; especially with hockey. Again, climate-driven. Both fundamentally left-leaning and liberal-thinking.

FCS: How could relations between Finland and Canada be developed further?

MR: Culturally we could become much more aware of each other. Economically there are many deals to be made. Finns want to deal with Canadians and vice versa.
Also, both have much in the way of products and services to offer each other. But before any of this can happen, we have to proactively engage one another into exploring our shared sensibilities AND future opportunities.

FCS: Thank you for your time Markus, we appreciate the time you took to “speak” with us.