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Government invites civil society to participate in seeking ways to combat racism

Ministry of Justice
Publication date 22.10.2020 15.05
Press release
Rasismin vastainen ja ja hyvien väestösuhteiden toimintaohjelma. Valtioneuvosto.

The Government has launched preparations for an Action Plan for Combating Racism and Promoting Good Relations between Population Groups.

The Action Plan aims to reduce hate speech and hate crime and to promote non-discrimination in working life and development of relations between different population groups, among other things. A further aim is to strengthen a culture where racism is intervened in and to improve the related skills and competence. The Action Plan will be drawn up based on a situation assessment that will be compiled in cooperation with civil society organisations, research institutes and authorities during 2020.

“Racism in all its forms must be condemned. There is no place for racism in this country. The Government takes this issue very seriously and our aim is to prepare an effective action plan to address the existing problems,” says Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson.

“It is important for us to conduct dialogue with civil society during the preparation of the Action Plan. That is why we are launching an idea contest to encourage civil society organisations to participate in the planning of measures to be included in the Action Plan,” Minister of Justice Henriksson continues.  

There are three different categories in the idea contest, two of which are implemented as a call for government discretionary grant applications, which means that the best ideas will receive funding. The projects for which government grants will be awarded may be local, regional or national development projects that aim to support the achievement of the objectives of the Action Plan.  

The preparation of the Action Plan will be led by an intersectoral working group. The Ministerial Working Group on Internal Security and Strengthening the Rule of Law will monitor the progress of the work.

The Action Plan will be completed during spring 2021. The work will continue in different administrative branches until the end of 2022.

Inquiries:
Niklas Mannfolk, Special Adviser to the Minister, tel. +358 50 306 3990, [email protected]
Lisa Palm, Special Adviser to the Minister, tel. +358 295 150 069, [email protected]

Action Plan for Combating Racism:
Johanna Suurpää, Director General, tel. +358 295 150 534, [email protected]
Panu Artemjeff, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 150 211, [email protected]
Katriina Nousiainen, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 150 275, [email protected]

Follow the progress of the Action Plan

Idea contest for civil society actors on measures to be included in the Action Programme for Combating Racism

Anna-Maja Henriksson