The new Finnish representatives have been elected to the delegations of international bodies for the term 2021–2026. The appointments reflect the power balance between Finnish political parties following the municipal elections in summer 2021.
Seven new representatives were elected to the Finnish delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.
Pia Kopra (Finns Party), City of Helsinki
Teuvo Hatva (Centre Party), City of Kajaani.
Tanja Joona (Centre Party), Municipality of Ylitornio
Ulla Santti (Green League), Municipality of Siilijärvi
Lauri Heikkilä (Finns Party), Municipality of Marttila
Saija Karnisto-Toivonen (Social Democratic Party, SDP),
City of Salo
Juha Pitkänen (Left Alliance), Municipality of Tuusniemi.
Three representatives will continue from the previous term: Atte Kaleva (National Coalition Party, NCP) from the city of Helsinki, Jani Kokko (SDP) from the municipality of Muurame and Pia Kauma (NCP) from the city of Espoo.
Jari Heiniluoma (Center Party) from the town of Parkano and Mari-Leena Talvitie (NCP) from the city of Oulu were elected to CEMR’s delegation. Talvitie is also an elected representative in the Finnish delegation of UCLG.
The Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities (AFLRA) acts as the secretariat to the Finnish delegations of the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and the European and international umbrella organisations of local government associations, CEMR and UCLG.
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
The Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities is the voice of cities and municipalities in the international arena. The Council of Europe is the continent's leading human rights organisation. It protects and promotes human rights, the rule of law and pluralistic democracy. The main goal of its Congress of Local and Regional Authorities is to strengthen the political, administrative and financial independence of European local and regional authorities. Democratic local government promotes the political stability of the continent and supports the human rights of minorities.
CEMR
The Council of European Municipalities and Regions, CEMR, influences European policy in all areas having an impact locally and regionally and provides a forum for debate for local and regional governments via their national member associations. CEMR's strategy for the current period is based on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals: the local perspective to social, cultural, economic and ecological sustainability should also be considered.
UCLG
UCLG brings the world’s national local government associations and individual cities in one organisation that speaks with one voice to the United Nations in particular, and unitedly represents the local government sector across the world. The organisation’s mission is to be the united voice and the champion of a democratic local government. UCLG’s key tasks are to mitigate climate change and urban sprawl and support towns and cities in poor countries afflicted by catastrophes.
