Kiitos, Tampere! It was such a pleasure to return to this vibrant city to host the “International Expertise for Growth” (Kansainvälisellä osaamisella kasvuun) forum, a day dedicated to discussing how Finland can attract, integrate, and retain international talent to drive regional growth.
The event, organized by the City of Tampere, brought together public sector leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and international professionals for a day of meaningful dialogue on global talent and the future of work in Finland.
And what made this event particularly special for me, I hosted it entirely in Finnish 🇫🇮. After years of facilitating international conferences across Europe, moderating this discussion in Finland’s national language felt both deeply rewarding and personal.
From the very start, the tone of the event was both strategic and heartfelt. Deputy Mayor Jaakko Mustakallio opened with his reflections on internationalization, followed by my own, and together, we turned what could have been a policy conversation into an authentic dialogue about people, belonging, and shared responsibility.
It was inspiring to hear Alaa Salonen and Amandeep Singh share their personal experiences and insights on building careers in the Tampere region. Their stories reminded everyone that inclusion becomes real only when lived experience meets policy-making.
A Return to a Familiar Mission
Coming back to Tampere felt special. In 2018, I hosted my very first Talent Boost forum here, encouraging companies to embrace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and to lead boldly in hiring international talent.
Now, in 2025, it was motivating to see how many of those same companies continue to pioneer inclusive recruitment and drive Finland’s competitiveness through international expertise.
Speakers such as Mikko Kesä, Mari Taverne, and Aki Kangasharju shared strong perspectives on economic growth, innovation, and labor market development, while the panel discussions offered rich insights connecting policy, practice, and people.
Honest Conversations About Inclusion
Maintaining optimism in today’s climate can be challenging. Conversations around immigration and international expertise often carry polarized tones.
That’s why this event stood out, because Tampere is moving with ambition. The city’s 2035 Growth Strategy focuses on improving retention, strengthening family inclusion, and offering realistic career opportunities for spouses, including entrepreneurship.
Representation and inclusiveness must stay at the core of this vision. As we often say: “Nothing about us, without us.” International professionals should not only be discussed, they must help design and decide.
When Finland achieves stronger consensus on economic and labor policies, it accelerates investment, boosts mobility, and opens new opportunities across regions. Tampere’s collaborative spirit proves what’s possible when courage meets commitment.
Gratitude and Highlights
A heartfelt thank-you to Mari Taverne, Laura Ojanen, and Ville Halonen for organizing such a well-structured and inspiring day: and to all speakers and participants for your enthusiasm, openness, and thoughtful dialogue.
Special thanks to the City of Tampere, Talent Boost Finland, and everyone involved for creating such a welcoming space for international professionals and families to connect, learn, and grow.
And just for fun, one question I asked the audience still lingers:
How is Tampere even better than the capital area at keeping international talent and families?
📸 Photos by Mirella Mellonmaa
