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Finnish National Commission for UNESCO At the national level, UNESCO is supported by the national commissions for UNESCO, which act as liaison between UNESCO and national authorities. The Finnish National Commission is an advisory body and issues ...

Conventions and recommendations of UNESCO Aikuiskasvatussuositus. Helsinki 1979.pdf Ammattikasvatussuositus. Helsinki 1981.pdf Avointa tiedettä koskeva suositus 2021.pdf Euroopan alueen valtioiden korkeakouluopintojen, tutkintojen ja oppiarvojen t...

26.6.2026 | The Ministry of Education and Culture has added 22 new elements to Finland’s National Inventory of Living Heritage, based on a proposal by the Finnish Heritage Agency. With this update, the inventory now includes a total of 108 elements.

United Nations The United Nations (UN) works for human rights, equality, social rights, tolerance and peace. Finland became a member in 1955. The implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the achievement of its goals are to...

Safeguarding of cultural heritage The UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted in 1972, responds to the concern about the conservation of the world’s threatened cultural and natural heritage and p...

International conventions related to cultural heritage Key conventions related to the preservation and protection of cultural heritage are, for example, the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and Conven...

EU and international cooperation The Ministry of Education and Culture participates in various international organisations in sport-related cooperation between different countries, as well as in the preparation of sport-related matters in the Euro...

EU and international cooperation The Ministry of Education and Culture participates in various international organisations in sport-related cooperation between different countries, as well as in the preparation of sport-related matters in the Euro...

Statistics and publications on general education The Ministry of Education and Culture uses Finnish and international research and statistical data in its work related to general education. Statistics Finland, which is Finland's public authority o...

International cooperation The Ministry of Education and Culture outlines national policy concerning cooperation with international organisations, councils and other bodies in matters within its remit relating to education and training, culture, yo...

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its effects in the administrative branch of the Ministry of Education and Culture On this page, we will update information on the impacts of the situation in the administrative branch of the Ministry of Education a...

Statistics on higher education and research The Ministry of Education and Culture compiles and uses versatile statistics from numerous sources to further develop higher education. Online statistical data on higher education is available on the web...

EU and international cooperation in the library field When it comes to the international cooperation in the library field, the role of the Ministry of Education and Culture encompasses influencing decisions to be made at state and EU level already...

International cooperation The Ministry of Education and Culture, together with higher education institutions and other parties working in its branch of government, promotes international cooperation in higher education, science and research. The M...

26.9.2025 | The Finnish Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie will attend the MONDIACULT 2025 conference on 29–30 September. Thousands of policymakers and experts will meet in Barcelona to outline the future of cultural policy.

EU and international cooperation in arts and culture The Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for international cultural policy and participates in its development and implementation in international organisations and the European Unio...

EU and international cooperation in arts and culture The Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for international cultural policy and participates in its development and implementation in international organisations and the European Unio...

23.4.2026 | The evaluation of Finland’s National World Heritage Strategy (2015–2025) finds that implementation has been broad‑based and substantive. The strategy has reinforced Finland’s standing as a responsible steward of world heritage and deepened cooperation between world heritage sites. The findings and the role of the strategy were discussed at the World Heritage Forum in Vaasa.

Press releases RSS (Opens New Window) (Opens New Window) Minna Karvonen appointed Director General of the National Gallery Type: Press release Publication date: 2.7.2026 13.41 National Inventory of Living Heritage expands with 22 new elements Type...

Frequently asked questions Here you can find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. If you couldn’t find the answer to your question on our website, you are also welcome to contact us kas.okm(at)gov.fi How are you developing Finni...

26.6.2026 | Supplementing the National Inventory of Living Heritage The UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was adopted by the UNESCO General Conference in 2003. Finland ratified the Convention in 2013, and the Finnish H...

31.3.2025 | Joint Finnish-Swedish proposal prepared for dipnet fishing in the Torne River rapids for inscription on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The decision on inscription is due in December 2026.

22.1.2025 | Finland has nominated a series of 13 properties designed by architect Alvar Aalto's office for inclusion in the World Heritage List. The properties, named "Aalto Works", represent Aalto's modern and humane architecture. At the request of the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Finnish Heritage Agency has drawn up a nomination proposal, working together with Alvar Aalto Foundation and the stakeholders of the architectural sites.

30.10.2024 | Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz will attend the 2024 Global Education Meeting (GEM) organised by UNESCO in Fortaleza, Brazil, on 31 October and 1 November 2024. Brazil is hosting the meeting as part of its G20 Presidency. The meeting will examine strategies needed to achieve the SDG4 Education 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and is expected to adopt the Fortaleza Declaration by the ministers.

14.10.2025 | preencoded.png How universities can protect & promote academic freedom EUA principles and guidelines Enora Bennetot Pruvot, 10 October 2025 preencoded.png Academic freedom today The challenge Academic freedom is the freedom to learn, teach, conduc...

6.12.2023 | The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage has inscribed the knowledge, craft and skills of handmade glass production on the UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In Finland, the Ministry of Education and Culture is in charge of matters related to intangible cultural heritage and the Finnish Heritage Agency is responsible for implementing the Convention and coordinating the application processes.

Unescos utbildningsstöd Unesco är den enda organisationen inom FN vars mandat gäller utbildning, från småbarnsfostran till högskoleutbildning, och allt från informell till formell utbildning. Unesco erbjuder medlemsländerna utbildningspolitiskt oc...

6.11.2023 | Minister of Education Anna-Maja Henriksson is attending the 42nd session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in Paris on 7–9 November 2023. During the trip, the Minister will also attend a discussion on a UNESCO's comprehensive Global Report on Teachers.

10.1.2024 | Finland's next element to be inscribed on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity concerns the dipnet fishing tradition along the Torne River. The proposal concerning the living tradition along the border river will be prepared in cooperation with Sweden, which will also coordinate the multinational application. The aim is to submit the application to UNESCO in March 2025.

2.3.2023 | On Thursday 2 March 2023, the Government appointed the members of the Finnish National Commission for UNESCO for the four-year term from 2 March 2023 to 31 December 2026. The Finnish National Commission for UNESCO is an expert and cooperation body providing advice on matters related to UNESCO.

13.11.2023 | Minister of Youth, Sport and Physical Activity Sandra Bergqvist will participate in the ministerial session of the Youth Forum to be held in Paris on 14–15 November 2023. The Youth Forum will take place during the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO. The aim is to make young people's voices heard and to discuss solutions to improve their wellbeing in the context of climate change impacts.

Suomen Unesco-toimikunta Unesco on YK-järjestöistä ainoa, jonka toimintaa tukevat kansalliset Unesco-toimikunnat. Toimikunta on neuvoa-antava elin, jonka puheenjohtajan ja enintään yksitoista muuta jäsentä valtioneuvosto kutsuu. Toimikunnan jäsene...

FN och Unesco Undervisnings- och kulturministeriet deltar i FN:s verksamhet och i beredningen av ärenden gällande organisationen inom ramen för statsrådet, i nära samarbete med utrikesministeriet. Viktiga special- och underorganisationer på område...

Finlands Unesco-kommission Unesco är den enda av FN:s organisationer som biträds av lokala Unesco-kommissioner i sin verksamhet. Kommissionen är ett rådgivande organ, vars ordförande och högst elva andra ledamöter kallas till uppdraget av statsråd...

9.7.2026 | Undervisningsminister Anders Adlercreutz deltar i det samordningsmöte för det globala utbildningsmålet (SDG 4) som Unesco ordnar i Paris den 10 juli och i uppföljningsmötet för FN:s toppmöte om utbildning.

18.3.2025 | The Nordic ministers responsible for sports have signed a joint letter to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The letter states that the Nordic countries will continue to support the organisation financially but are concerned about recent disputes over doping control.

YK ja Unesco Opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriö osallistuu YK-toimintaan ja sitä koskevien asioiden valmisteluun osana valtioneuvostoa, kiinteässä yhteistyössä ulkoministeriön kanssa. Opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriön kannalta merkittäviä YK:n erityis- ...

26.6.2026 | Undervisnings- och kulturministeriet har på förslag av Museiverket utsett 22 nya objekt till den nationella förteckningen över levande kulturarv. Efter kompletteringen omfattar förteckningen totalt 108 objekt.

9.7.2026 | Opetusministeri Anders Adlercreutz osallistuu 10. heinäkuuta Unescossa Pariisissa järjestettäviin globaalin koulutustavoitteen (SDG 4) koordinaatiokokoukseen ja YK:n koulutushuippukokouksen seurantakokoukseen.

10.11.2021 | Minister of Education Li Andersson will lead the Finnish delegation to the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris on 10–11 November. In Finland’s keynote speech on Wednesday, the Minister of Education highlighted human rights as the basis of UNESCO’s activities and its work as an implementer of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustaina...