As a part of the Night of the Ideas, the French Institute of Finland is organizing an event about civil activism and its many forms.

The event, conducted in English, includes a concert and two panel discussions featuring Finnish and French activists, journalists and researchers.

Program:

10.30-11.00
Concert – Pessi Jouste and Eeva Rajakangas
Discover citizen engagement though music!

11.00-12.30
Panel discussion : Why and how does one become an activist?
Activism is understood differently in France and Finland. Non-violent actions like painting on buildings or occupying spaces often shock public opinion, revealing a lack of understanding of activism as a legitimate form of resistance. Who are these activists, and what drives their commitment? A comparison with France, known for its strong activist tradition, offers valuable insights.

14.00-15.30
Panel discussion: Are new tools of citizen participation effective? Or are we doomed to become activists to make a change?

As trust in democratic institutions declines, and citizens increasingly feel powerless in influencing public decisions, institutions have sought to respond by channeling dissent into existing governance frameworks. This has led to the rise of initiatives like citizens’ assemblies and citizen-initiated referendums. But can these efforts truly succeed—and if so, under what conditions?

The Night of the Ideas is an initiative of the French Institute of Paris. The Finnish edition is part of a larger, Nordic Night of the Ideas. Discover the whole program and more information on the website of the French Institute of Finland: https://www.france.fi/en/#/