Society and civic participation

Learning goals 

Society is made up of individuals and the groups they form. Society also entails the structures created by the state and the economy – these are the limits within which people act. Understanding these structures helps to place one’s own everyday life into a larger context. Understanding the structures of society is also important for civic participation. When you understand how society works and which agents are involved, you can find ways to impact both your local environment and broader society, if you so wish. 

Once you have found out more about Finnish society, you may wonder: How do democratic decisions function in Finland? How is Finland governed? What is the economic system in Finland? What ways are there for civic participation in Finland? Which political parties participate in political activities in Finland? What is the role of the media in society?

After completing this section, the participant of the civic orientation will:

• Be able to explain what democracy means 
• Know the basics of Finland’s system of governance 
• Know basics about Finland’s economic system 
• Understand how they can impact Finnish society 
• Understand the opportunities offered by association activities 
• Know what elections are organised in Finland, who can vote and who can be a candidate 
• Have a grasp of the Finnish political field 
• Understand the role of the media in Finnish society 
• Understand what critical media literacy skills mean and why they are important.

Case study

Sayed moved to Finland with his family as a quota refugee four years ago. He has learned Finnish and found a job. The family lives in a small town where there are not many other immigrants. However, a few other groups of quota refugees from Sayed’s home country have also settled in nearby areas. Sayed knows some of the families, but he wishes for a stronger sense of community. He also knows from his own experience that newcomers would surely benefit from peer support for integration and help with various practical matters. 

Sayed previously found an association founded in a city by a few people from his home country who had also moved to Finland. The association offers support with everyday matters in Sayed’s native language and organizes events where people can get to know each other and, for example, celebrate cultural holidays. However, the city is quite far away. Sayed has started to consider, together with a few acquaintances, the idea of founding a similar association in their own area. They would also like to organize events where they could present their culture to other residents and thus help promote interaction between newcomers and the local population. 

Sayed and his acquaintances start to explore what is needed to establish an association. They learn that founding an association is relatively simple, but running one involves some paperwork and bureaucracy. Fortunately, they find good instructions online, as well as organizations that offer advice to smaller associations on how to get started and operate. The association is founded, and Sayed becomes its chairperson. To celebrate its founding, the association organizes a party at the local community centre, open to everyone. Many people from Sayed’s home country who have moved to the area attend the event, along with some curious locals. This way, the association immediately gains recognition in the area, and its activities get off to a good start.