Finland

With poverty defined as families that make less than 50% of the country’s median, the rate of poverty in Finland has been at a rise in comparison to the past. Compared to 1995, when the poverty rate was only 2.4%; in 2001 the rate almost doubled to 4.5%. More women are affected by poverty than men. Although Finland’s poverty rate has recently been at a rise, Finland continues to have one of the lowest levels of child poverty in the world. In comparison to the United States, which has 22.4% of its children living in poverty, Finland only has 4.4%.

Although in August, 2003 Finland revised their Penal Code to help reduce discrimination by including “racial motives” as part of the aggravating circumstances in a crime and by punishing participation in organizations that promote racial discrimination, racial discrimination continues to be one of the most troublesome human rights issues in Finland. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination still found a relatively high rate of racist attitudes in some sectors of the population, particularly the young. Furthermore the UN Committee found that one of the major reasons why victims of racial discrimination were reluctant to file a complaint was the belief that the complaint would fail to lead to any result. For this reason, it is clear that Finland needs to better target acts of racial discrimination and the “legal avenues to obtain compensation in such areas.”

Finland has one of the lowest rates of AIDS in the world’s population. As the adult prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS is less than 1%, the number of people living with this debilitating disease is only 1,500.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART), discovered in 1996 is one of the most effective breakthroughs to assist patients with HIV. The therapy consists of a combination of drugs that help to extend that patient’s life. Recognizing the importance of antiretroviral drugs, Finland has one of the most effective systems to combat the epidemic, by having a universal guarantee of antiretroviral drugs.

To accelerate access to medications on a worldwide basis, Finland encourages all states to adopt appropriate measures to promote the accessibility and availability of antiretroviral drugs. It is clear that other countries should follow in Finland’s footsteps to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic on a universal scale.

One of Finland’s main environmental issues is air pollution. In 2005, Finland emitted 45.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. The main contributor to the release of carbon dioxide are industrial sources and car emissions. Impaired air is very harmful to human health, as the National Public Health Institute found that 2,000,000 Finns suffer from occasional respiratory symptoms because of airborne particles. These symptoms particularly peak during the spring season, as the dust particles from road sanding during the wintertime rise into the atmosphere. It is estimated that 200-400 Finns die prematurely every year as a result of air pollution.

Another environmental issue that affects Finland is the preservation of its wildlife. In 2001, 4 of the nation’s 60 mammal species, 1 type of freshwater fish, as well as 4 of its 248 breeding bird species were threatened. To protect and preserve threatened animal species, nature protection areas, closed hunting seasons, and other game-management measures have been applied. As of 2001, 5.5% of Finland’s total land area was protected.

Finland has often been “hailed as having one of the most successful educational systems.” Attendance is compulsory between the ages 7-16 and there is no tuition. Instead of primary and secondary schools, children stay at the same local school between the ages of 7-16. It is thought that this “unified school system” is what contributes to the educational system’s success.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, an international organization consisting of developed countries, developed the Programme for International Student Assessment. The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) carries worldwide assessment tests every three years and has consistently found Finland to be one of the highest scorers worldwide. In 2003, Finland came in first in reading literacy and science, and second in mathematics, worldwide.

Finnish AIDS Council - was the first non-governmental organization in Finland to focus exclusively on HIV/AIDS issues. They give moral and social support to all people living with HIV/AIDS in Finland. They work to address not only the individual but friends and family members and consult government official in the media regarding HIV/AIDS related issues. Their main goal is to provide their services to the entire population of Finland. Some of which include: rapid HIV-testing, counseling, day centre activities, and peer group support groups.

Freenet Finland is a nationwide network for teachers, parents, students, and other activists in learning environments. It offers free internet services including: bulleting boards, news, e-mail, etc, when the person sets up an account. Freenet Finland also publishes plenty of information relating to the school world. Its goal is to offer all users equal access to high quality services as well as encourage collaboration between different interested parties and organizations.

Friends of the Earth Finland is an environmental organization that is part of an international network. They conduct their own campaigns that address issues regarding climate change, forests, oceans, biodiversity, mining, trade, and water. The campaigners work on local, national, and international campaigns.

High Level Commission of Legal Empowerment of the Poor - is a global organization that explores how nations can reduce poverty through reforms that span access to legal opportunities and protection for all. They are relatively new, having been launched only in September 2005, by a few countries. Their main goal, which they hope to achive by 2008, is to provide broad access to legal systems, contribute tools that will help guide policymaker’s reform efforts at the country level, and to ensure the empowerment of the poor.

Rotary Club of Orimatilla Finland EU - is a branch of Rotary International. Rotary International is an organization whose members can be found from all over the world. These members are business and professional leaders in their communities that encourage high ethical standards in all professions, provide humanitarian service, and help build peace and goodwill around the world. One of the most notable projects launched by the Rotary International was Polio-Plus, which helped contribute to the global eradication of polio.

SETA - (Seksuaalinen Tasavertaisuus RY, Sexual Equality) is the main gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender right organization in Finland There are several different chapters established in all of Finland to fight for legal equality and social justice for sexual minorities. This organization’s main objectives are to achieve equal treatment irrespective of sexual orientation and gender identity, provide services for sexual minorities otherwise unavailable, and bring together people of all sexual minorities. One of the main ways SETA communicates their objectives is through their publication of Z magaine, the biggest GLBT magazine in Finnish.

Spay Our Strays (SOS) is an organization founded in 1996 to help alleviate the problem of unwanted dogs and cats in the Fuengirola/Mijas region in Southern Spain. They sterilize and find new homes for homeless dogs in Finland, Germany, Austria, and Sweden. To this date, SOS has found homes for more than 1,000 dogs.

Volunteers For Peace - Inc. offers several affordable short-term voluntary service projects. These programs provide opportunities to participate in meaningful community service while interacting and living in an international environment. Volunteers live and work with an international group for 2-3 weeks. This allows diverse cultures to interact between other volunteers in addition to the local hosts.