A North America Research Centre Was Established at the University of Turku

​The focus of the John Morton Centre at the University of Turku is the politics, economy, culture, history and international relations of the United States and Canada. The centre collaborates with other Finnish, European, North American and international organisations which research North America.

According to Professor Keijo Virtanen, who led the planning committee, the establishment of the centre originated from several different quarters which shared the emphatic idea that there should be an institute in Finland that concentrates on researching North America.

–The United States have a significant role in reconciling global problems. The actions of the leading country of the world and the values of its society and culture as well as the decisions that affect them should be taken into consideration and analysed in Finland as well, says Virtanen.

Finland, the United States and Canada have a long shared history. The centre was named after John Morton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 who had Finnish origins.

Currently, there are nearly one million people with Finnish origins living in the United States and Canada, which, in part, upholds the lively communications between Finland and the North American countries.

–At the University of Turku, there is a long tradition of multidisciplinary research on North America. Scientific contacts and researcher mobility are constantly growing between the countries, says Kalervo Väänänen, the Rector of the University of Turku.

The research centre begins its operations at the beginning of 2014. By that time, a director, a coordinator, the board and a delegation comprised of the representatives of interest groups will be appointed to the centre. Administratively, the centre will be under the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Text: HA
Translation: Mari Ratia