Along with Finland’s increasing diversity has come an effort to strengthen the influence immigrants have on the direction of society.

Just some 30 years ago, seeing a person of foreign ethnic background in Finland was a rare thing. Since then, an influx of immigrants has made the landscape much more colourful. The rainbow extends from the Russians and Estonians who make up most incomers, to Somalians and Chinese, Thais and Turks, and also Latin Americans, just to name a few. But within these growing numbers, the societal influence remains limited. Thus, organisational efforts are arising to give these groups a stronger voice in a still very Finn-dominated society.

The final part in our series talks about the online offering of sports clubs.

Almost all sports clubs in Finland today have a website and may offer mobile services as well. Using the Internet, clubs and their members can exchange information, maintain contacts and fuel their fervour. Most clubs rely on voluntary effort; an example is the American football club Roosters in Helsinki.

As the world cringes in disbelief that the brutal Israel-Palestinian conflict rolls on, the lion’s share of people who had initially planned to make their way to the region during this period would have reconsidered their itineraries. Not so for a group of 60 Finns, mind you, according to a recent article in Helsingin Sanomat. Rather than shy away from what is going on, or bury their head in their hands in disbelief, these Finns have recently headed over to the war zone to assist and relieve the Israeli army.

Fans of Helsinki football club IFK take their support to new levels, all around the country.

“Allez, Allez,

Allez, Allez,

Allez, Allez, Aleeeez, Allez!

Then it’s Monday,

Then it’s Tuesday,

Filomena Nurmela and Ke’ahi

Moving from the city to the sticks. 6D chats to two who have changed their life.

New York has her five boroughs, London its inner city districts, with the Thames bisecting the city into two. Paris has her 20 arrondisements circling the city, divided into historical neighbourhoods, with history dating back to Roman times. So what does the city of Helsinki have to boast about? What does she call the various neighbourhoods and districts within her borders?