Together we are stronger — polari­sation

Growing polarisation is tearing Finland apart — challenges are solved through cooperation, not by blaming each other. As President of the Republic Alexander Stubb noted in his New Year’s speech , we are a small nation whose strength has been facing hardships together. Along with community, culture, civilisation and freedom have always been our strengths. They are also what makes Finland worth defending.

Community, culture, civilisation and freedom make Finland worth defending.

What threatens our community?

Unfortunately, our country is simultaneously threatened by growing polarisation, a weak economic situation, slow economic growth and a collapsing birth rate. In addition, in the name of fixing the economic situation, Finnish culture, civilisation and education have been pushed into a corner.

The situation is not hopeless, however. Immigration could help us address both the economy and the birth rate. In labour productivity, there is much room for improvement. In the green transition, we can play a role larger than our size on international markets. And by looking after education and civilisation, we can ensure that we remain the world’s happiest nation.

By treating those around us better, we reduce polarisation.

How do we build a better society together?

Many of these things start with each one of us. With how we treat those around us, how we speak about one another and how we regard each other. A fine example of coming together was the Folkhälsan Lucia collection before Christmas: when people showed in record numbers that racism is not Finnishness.

Cooperation is not new to us. After World War II, Finland rebuilt itself in roughly 20 years into one of Europe’s most prosperous countries — without natural resources, relying only on labour, education and mutual trust. That did not happen through polarisation. The same logic applies today: challenges are solved through collective effort, not by blaming each other.

For the new year, I would wish one thing from everyone. Let us assume the best of one another. Every one of us is needed, and we will achieve nothing by refusing help.

I have written a broad essay on immigration: on the immigration debate , on the scale of immigration , on asylum seekers and about the four most persistent myths about immigration . Read more in my posts on immigration .

Published in Kirkkonummen Sanomat on 8 January 2025.