Influential Argentinian Delegation Came to Learn about Finnish Education
As part of their visit to Finland, the Argentinian RAP foundation, Fundación Red de Acción Politica, visited the University of Turku from 30 September to 2 October 2014. The goal of the visit was to learn about the Finnish education system, which has been internationally acknowledged.
RAP is a political action network that brings together politicians and business representatives to discuss societal affairs. The goal of the foundation is to develop a consensus-seeking political culture in Argentina and the Argentinian society.
– The activities of the foundation also include themed excursions abroad, says The University of Turku International Liaison Officer Pia Le Grand who participated in coordinating the visit. – As there is a great need to develop the teaching sector in Argentina, the foundation became interested in making a visit to Finland and contacted the Embassy of Finland in Argentina. The Ambassador, Turku School of Economics alumni Jukka Siukosaari, suggested that the delegation could visit Turku alongside Helsinki.
The delegation consisted of 29 members, including politicians, business leaders and representatives of the RAP foundation. Among their destinations in Finland were the Finnish National Board of Education in Helsinki and Turun normaalikoulu school as well as the Faculty of Education at the University of Turku. The programme in Turku included lectures on Finnish teacher training, working life oriented education and KiVa Antibullying Program, for example.
According to Le Grand, the guests were pleased with and impressed by their visit. They particularly applauded the prevailing consensus culture in Finland, the general efficiency and the nationwide investment in education.
– From our part, the visit was an opportunity to promote the University of Turku as a high-quality university and to make contacts that might lead to cooperation and education export in the future. Particularly the KiVa Antibullying Program raised interest and there might be demand for this format in Argentina, says Le Grand.
Text: Aino Koivisto
Photo: Antti Tarponen