May Behind Us, Summer Ahead

Investigation into Data Breach Continues

May began with the unfortunate news of a data breach in the education and training sector. It is advisable to actively protect your personal information at this stage, even though the extent of the breach is still under investigation.

Currently, it is estimated that the data breach affects about 150,000 learners and their guardians. As the city has previously reported, the entire city staff, around 38,000 employees, is also affected by the breach.

The city continues its investigation in cooperation with the authorities and will provide updates as the situation progresses. At this stage of the preliminary investigation, residents do not need to contact the police.

For consolidated information on the matter, visit: hel.fi/tietomurto.

Art at Its Best Changes the World for the Better

In May, I had the honor of opening a very timely and important anti-racism exhibition titled “Only Waste is Sorted” at the Maatulli School on Työpajankatu.

The exhibition discusses how racism affects people and how we can collectively fight against it, as the youth expressed in their speeches at the event. This included addressing racism in classrooms and sharing personal experiences.

Through art, these issues were further explored both individually and in groups. I find the courage and willingness of young people to tackle difficult topics inspiring. The importance of art is particularly emphasized in challenging times and in addressing difficult issues.

At its best, art reaches toward the future, helps us see things differently and from other perspectives, sparks thoughts, and challenges us. A wise and responsible society cherishes and protects art and culture, recognizing its value in strengthening community and building the future. For children and young people, engaging with art is especially meaningful as it enhances inclusion, enables agency, encourages advocacy, and facilitates sharing one’s views and thoughts through art.

At its best, art changes the world for the better! This exhibition is undoubtedly one such example. Changes, according to the youth, have already been visible in the school, both in classrooms and during recess.

Even though the exhibition cannot be admired live, you can get a glimpse of the atmosphere here: HS Article Link.

Early Childhood Educators from Spain

The availability of early childhood education personnel is a global issue, as I have noted in international meetings. Helsinki, or even Finland, is not alone in facing this challenge.

The city has been working to solve this issue in various ways. We have also started experimenting with international recruitment from Spain for Swedish-speaking early childhood education.

Now we have reached the point where we expect seven experienced early childhood educators to relocate to Finland and begin work in August.

Read more: Helsinki’s Swedish-speaking Early Childhood Education.

Strengthening Child Impact Assessment in Helsinki

Advocacy work and political work are often described as a marathon. This has often been told to me, and it is true. Since 2017, I, along with many other child rights lawyers and individuals interested in children’s rights, have been keeping child impact assessments in focus. We have organized training sessions, events, materials, and speeches together and separately.

The greatest achievement was when, during Sanna Marin’s government, we successfully created a national child strategy in a parliamentary committee. This was a significant and historic act that clearly advanced the understanding of children’s rights.

Now, we have crossed another finish line. Helsinki is also taking children’s rights seriously and promoting them more broadly, equitably, and with higher quality.

The goal is for the entire child impact assessment process to become visible to both us as political decision-makers and the residents. This will also make it possible to evaluate the process afterward and see whether we succeeded or not.

Read more: HS Article on Child Impact Assessment.