Exclusive event: 30 Years, 1 Journey: For All Women and Girls
Exclusive invitation-only event: 30 Years, 1 Journey: For All Women and Girls
UN Women Finland and the UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia invite you to an inspiring milestone event to celebrate 30 years of dedicated work for gender equality and human rights.
Welcome to the event on May 8, 2025, from 13:30 to 15:45. The event will be held at Finlandia-talo, Veranda 1. Following the main programme, guests are warmly invited to stay for reception until 16:45.
You will find the detailed agenda and additional information about the event below the registration form.
Kutsuvierastilaisuus
UN Women Suomi sekä UN Womenin Euroopan ja Keski-Aasian aluetoimisto kutsuvat sinut inspiroivaan merkkitapahtumaan juhlistamaan 30 vuotta sinnikästä työtä sukupuolten tasa-arvon ja ihmisoikeuksien puolesta.
Tervetuloa mukaan to 8.5.2025 klo 13.30–16.00, Finlandia-talo, Veranda 1. Tarkempi agenda ja lisätietoja löytyy ilmoittautumislomakkeen alta.
Tilaisuus järjestetään kokonaan englanniksi.
Register for the event
From Helsinki to Beijing: A Legacy of Action for Women’s Rights
In 1995, a unique train left Helsinki heading towards Beijing, with the goal of attending a world conference on the status of women. The passengers were hundreds of advocates for gender equality from around the world, whose aim was to finally bring to life the hopes and demands for equality and women's human rights. This year, we witness 30 years since that event, during which the most progressive framework for defining women's rights, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, was created. We see progress, but we must also return to the same hopes and demands, calling for equality and human rights – for all women and girls.
Agenda of the Event
Part 1
12.00: Opening of the Exhibition (TBC)
Location: Helsinki Central Station
Part 2
13:00 - 15:45: Next Stop: Gender Equality
Venue: Finlandia Hall
Masters of Ceremony: Shadia Rask and Andre Noel Chaker
13:00: Doors open
13:30 - 14:00: Introduction and opening remarks
Screening of “Are you with us” Beijing+30 animation, celebrating 30 years of progress in gender equality
Speakers:
Sanz Luque Belén, UN Women Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia
Representative of MFA of Finland
Jaana Hirsikangas, Executive Director, UN Women Finland
Keynote speech:
Tarja Halonen, Former President of Finland, participant of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing
14:00 - 15:15: Let’s Talk: Rights, Equality, Empowerment
Speakers:
Adina Nivukoski – Young activist and women’s rights advocate, Finland
Aitbek Amangeldi – Activist, influencer, and human rights defender, Kazakhstan
Beyza Doğuç – Musician, writer, and IT specialist, Türkiye
Kamilla Sultanova – Award-winning keynote speaker and DEI-expert, Finland
Khrystyna Kit – Head of CSO Ukrainian Women Lawyers Association “JurFem”, Ukraine
Leanne Elliott Young – Cultural Commentator and Co-founder of the Institute of Digital Fashion
Venero Melua – Stand Upper and activist, Georgia
Zhaklin Lekatari – Journalist and activist, Albania
The Generation Equality Youth Group Representative, Finland
15:15 - 15:30: Screening of the Unstoppable
Unstoppable - a documentary that highlights the inspiring stories of women advancing progress in the 12 critical areas of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Showcasing a UN Women ECA production that spotlights inspiring stories of women driving progress, this film underscores both the strides taken and the work that remains in ensuring gender equality for all.
15:30 – 15:45: Closing messages
Zeliha Unaldi, Deputy Representative, UN Women Türkiye, participant of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing
Finnish participant of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing
Hanna-Mari Manninen Chair of the Board, UN Women Finland
15:45 - 16:45: Reception