Waqar Naseem Wamiq

RIYADH – Finland Embassy here hosted an event with the journalists to share their experience about their media visit of Finland in connection with the celebrations of 100 years of Finnish independence. The event was well attended by the ambassadors of various countries, diplomats, high officials and professionals.

Deputy Head of Mission Vilma Peltonen opened the session with a welcome note, and said, “Finland celebrates 100 years of independence in 2017. During that 100 years Finland has become one of the world’s most innovative and competitive countries with a world-renowned education system and one of the highest life expectancies at birth. Four journalists based in Riyadh went to Finland recently to explore and they are among us tonight to share their experience.”

At the event, the journalists recounted their encounters and experiences while in Finland. Mouhab Alawar marveled at the extent of supplies provided by the maternity package, commonly dubbed ‘the baby box’, which in Finland is given to all families expecting a baby. He was also impressed how the pupils in schools are having fun while studying.

During his presentation, Fateen Ebeid brought up preventive healthcare and how in Finland people might seek medical attention while in perfectly good health, not only when they’ve get sick. While Cyma Azyz was impressed by the kindness and hospitality she was met with in Finland. She had the opportunity to join in on the fun at the sandbox with some pre-school children, and praised the experience at the event.

Waqar Naseem described Finland as the innovative superpower of the world. He was impressed by the work that the small Finnish healthcare companies have been doing and appreciated the Finnish educational system.

Finnish Ambassador Pekka Voutilainen thanked the guests and appreciated the journalists for sharing their experiences. “I am glad to have all of you tonight and I am really delighted with the experiences of the journalists. Their reviews and observations are really very important for us,” Pekka said.

Finland has a long history in the provision of healthcare and welfare related services. The maternity package was introduced as early as 1937 to fight infant mortality and to provide assistance to all mothers regardless of their status or income level.

In 1963, the law on public medical insurance was passed, guaranteeing each citizen the right for publicly funded medical services when needed. These reforms among others have resulted in a dramatic decline in the infant mortality rate, which today is one of the lowest in the world.

The year 1972 saw a reform of the basic education system take place. Previously, low-income families could not necessarily send their children to higher-level basic education as tuition fees were beyond their financial resources.

The renewed system provided a free full basic education program to everyone. This was certainly not the first nor the last education reform as Finland continuously aims for further improvement.

Today, Finland’s primary education is ranked as the best in the world.

Nowadays the differences between schools are relatively small and the best school for your child is usually the nearest one. The same basic principle goes for healthcare as well.

The year 2017 marks Finland’s 100th birthday, and the centenary birthday will be celebrated throughout the world. Several gatherings will take place both abroad and in Finland, and the overarching theme for the events is ‘together’ as inclusion has been such a major element in the history of Finland.