The city of Oulu will compile an anti-racism programme

The Mayor of Oulu Ari Alatossava has launched a multi-professional working group that will prepare a new model for the city’s anti-racism work. 

The anti-racism work model will focus on three perspectives; prevention of racism, corrective action and racism on the societal level. Racism will be prevented by especially working with children, young people and families as well the professionals who work with them. Anti-racism is pursued on the societal level by increasing interaction between population groups and building trust between population groups. The city of Oulu is also applying for project funding that will be used to implement parts of the future anti-racism programme’s actions. The project funding will be used to target rooting out structural racism, offering support to victims of racism and preventing hate speech.  

The working group will be led by Administration Manager Ari Heikkinen, and it includes members of the city’s administration, Education and Cultural Services, Urban and Environmental Services and the Immigration Council. The working group may also consult other specialists. A proposition for the city of Oulu’s new action programme will be compiled by November 30, 2024.  

Legislation on promoting integration obligates municipalities to promote good population relations, and compiling an anti-racism programme supports integration as legislated.  

According to the Non-Discrimination Act, authorities must have a plan of needed actions to promote non-discrimination – the city of Oulu, of course, already has such a plan, but the coming action programme will especially focus on the prevention of racism and thus support the plan with concrete actions. Additionally, the Act obligates authorities to assess the implementation of non-discrimination in their work and take needed action to promote the implementation of non-discrimination. The promoting action must be effective, purposeful and proportionate, considering the authority’s working environment, resources and other circumstances.  

The Non-Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination and unequal treatment based on a person’s background. However, in Finnish society racism arises in different forms – structurally, interactionally and in decision-making. In light of statistics and research, it can be stated that racism is a societal issue in Finland.  

Based on recent events, it can be stated that there is racism in Oulu. The city wants to prevent it together and will work to prevent it together. The city will invite Oulu’s organizations, businesses, communities and people to participate in this cooperation.  

The anti-racism programme’s progress will be communicated on regularly.