Happy Independence Day to Finland, turning 107! It is a wonderful milestone for this Nordic welfare state, which by almost every measure is one of the best countries in the world to live in. Indeed, Finns have been the world’s happiest people for the past seven consecutive years.
What is there to love about Finland?
Now is a good time to rehabilitate the reputation of patriotism. For I love my homeland Finland, which has taken care of me and my loved ones. Finland, where I received an excellent education. Finland, where school children can safely walk to school on their own. Finland, where my children receive world-class early childhood education. Finland, where no one is left alone. Finland, where everyone is equal. To love, celebrate and defend this — that is patriotism.
Why is equality a form of patriotism?
The Constitution defines the first fundamental right in Finland as all people being equal before the law. That means no one in Finland may be placed in a different position on the basis of gender, age, origin, language, religion, conviction, opinion, health, disability or any other personal reason. This is not always realised, but it must be striven for and practices must be improved. That is patriotism. Love of one’s country.
Happy and peaceful Independence Day to all Finns and everyone living in Finland.
I have written more about equality: about everyone’s right to be proud of their existence, about my council initiative for Pride flag flying in Kirkkonummi and about myths about immigration. Read more in my posts on equality.
Other posts
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Kirkkonummi tells everyone: you belong here
Bullying of rainbow youth is increasing. Kirkkonummi voted 30–14 for flag-flying — a small gesture with measurable effects on young people's wellbeing.
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Council initiative: annual Pride flag flying in Kirkkonummi
Kirkkonummi's strategy promotes equality and equal treatment. Flying the Pride flag is an inexpensive and easy action to implement it.
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AI helps secure municipal services, but it is not free
In Konnevesi, AI cut processing time for road grants from two months to days. Kirkkonummi is too small to act alone — but collaboration makes change possible.
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Council initiative: digital resilience
Kirkkonummi relies on digital systems for nearly all its operations. This initiative calls for mapping dependencies and switching to open file formats.
