Finland ‘s Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers 2021
In 2021, Finland will lead the Nordic Council of Ministers. The presidency will enable Finland to influence the implementation of shared objectives, consolidate Finland’s position in the Nordic Region and strengthen the Nordic identity of Finns. Special focus will be on the participation of Åland in the work of the Council of Ministers, as the 100th anniversary year of Åland’s self-government will begin in June 2021.
The vision for Nordic cooperation is that the Nordic Region will become the most sustainable and integrated region in the world. The programme of Finland's Presidency is based on this vision and in accordance with it, the programme is based on three strategic priorities: "A green Nordic Region", "A compe titive Nordic Region" and "A socially sustainable Nordic Region".
During Finland’s Presidency, the Ministry of Justice will particularly promote digitalisation in the justice sector, and focus on the prevention of corruption, money laundering and human trafficking.
Finland to lead the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2021
Justice in Nordic cooperation
Justice is a key area of Nordic cooperation. Nordic judicial cooperation promotes, among other things, the common basic principles of Nordic law in accordance with the common Nordic values.
As President of the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Justice promotes the themes listed below.
During the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Justice will promote the prevention of corruption and money laundering. The project will investigate corruption and money laundering related to international business in the Nordic operating environment. The key goal is to increase awareness of international corruption and improve the possibilities of identifying risks and various phenomena. Further information about the project
Finland will continue the work initiated by the previous holder of the presidency, Denmark, to combat severe cross-border crime. A seminar focusing on the best practices in anti-trafficking action was arranged on the 18th of November 2021. On the basis of the seminar, the next years Presidency held by Norway, will propose how to further deepen Nordic cooperation in combating human trafficking.
Further information about the project
As part of the key project of Finland’s Presidency, “Towards the most smoothly functioning everyday life and mobility between the countries through digitalisation”, a digital Nordic statute book will be created. A common Nordic electronic information search on statutes will make citizens’ life easier as they move, travel and relocate, or work in the Nordic Region. Further information about the project here
In 2019, the Nordic Council of Ministers issued a report on the state of democracy in the Nordic countries. In March 2021, the Permanent representation of Finland to the EU organized , in Brussels, in cooperation with the Democracy Network 2021, EDP and IDEA, a high level conference on the theme “Democracy as part of the EU’s external relations”. The Ministry of Justice participated in the conference.
In 2021, 15 years have passed since the adoption of the Nordic Language Declaration. The Declaration defines the priority areas, which the Nordic countries have agreed to follow in their national work on language policy. The Nordic Council of Ministers has begun preparations for implementing the Declaration and for updating it. As a result, a virtual Nordic language conference was held on 16th September 2021 as part of Finland’s Presidency. The conference examined the Nordic language cooperation and guidelines for a common understanding of language and culture.
Together with Hanaholmen and Svenska.nu network, the Ministry of Education and Culture, which is responsible for cooperation in the education and culture sector in the Nordic Council of Ministers, was primarily responsible for organizing the language conference. The Ministry of Justice participated in the work to reform the language declaration within the framework.
The programme for Finland’s Presidency states that social equality and gender equality are inalienable values in Nordic societies. During the Finnish Presidency, implementation of the specific programme for LGBTI rights will continue. In addition, a project focusing on work to combat violence and hate crimes against LGBTI individuals will be implemented during the year. In November 2021 a hybrid expert seminar was arranged on the topic.
As part of the programme of the Presidency, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health arranged a conference on hate speech and sexual harassment in Helsinki during the summer 2021. The conference aimed to recognize good practices and exchange information as well as experiences on gender-based hate speech, sexual harassment and online threats. The conference brought together experts, decision-makers and non-governmental organisations from the Nordic countries to discuss hate speech, online threats and online harassment. The Ministry of Justice supported in the organization of the conference.
In addition, several reporting projects are in progress in the justice sector, including digitalisation of courts of law in the Nordic and Baltic countries, sexual harassment in the legal administration sector in the Nordic countries, online sex offences targeting children, and a report on the challenges due to the rapid digitalisation of the public administration and courts in view of compliance with obligations relating to administrative and constitutional law, such as basic and human rights.
Coordination of the Presidency
Jussi Tikkanen, Ministerial Adviser
Ministry of Justice, Management Support and Core Services, EU and International Affairs international cooperation, general issues cooperation with Estonia/the Baltic States cooperation with China Telephone:0295150270 Email Address: [email protected]
Members of the Nordic Committee of Senior Officials for Justice Affairs
Susanna Siitonen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Legislative Affairs
Ministry of Justice, Management Support and Core Services, Legislative Editing and Development of Legislation Finlex better regulation development of law drafting Telephone:0295150083 Email Address: [email protected]