Ahtisaari Days to be observed today

The National Ahtisaari Days, aimed at enhancing knowledge about peace mediation, conflict resolution and the importance of reconciliation, will be observed across the country on Wednesday with the slogan “all conflicts can be resolved”.

The Ahtisaari Days are held every year, with the aim of bringing conflict resolution to every school. The Ahtisaari Days are named after Martti Ahtisaari, a politician and diplomat who was President of Finland from 1994 to 2000 and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008 for his long life of working for peace throughout the world.

This year, the annual peace mediation event will be he in Vaasa, said a government press release.

The event also try to make peace work and abilities to resolve conflicts a part of people's daily lives by handling the theme in schools, at public events and among experts.

On Wednesday, experts from the Crisis Management Initiative (CMI) will visit schools in Vaasa and tell about the importance of peace mediation and reconciliation.

There will also be exercises in which pupils may practice their conflict-solving skills. In the afternoon, a panel discussion on peace mediation as a civic skill will be held at the University of Vaasa. Former President Martti Ahtisaari will be present for a brief interview.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini will participate in the Ahtisaari Days by visiting the Tikkurila upper secondary school in Vantaa on 16 November.

In the previous years, the Ahtisaari Days have been held in Tampere, Oulu, Helsinki, Kuopio, Turku and Rovaniemi. The host city for the Ahtisaari Days in 2018 will be announced in Vaasa. The main organiser of the Ahtisaari Days is the CMI.