Naiset, rauha ja turvallisuus – merkkipäivän puhujat ja panelistit

Women, Peace and Security 25 Years – Learning from Achievements, Responding to Challenges

Get to know the national and international experts, policymakers and civil society actors taking part in the milestone year celebration of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, held in Helsinki on the 5th September, 2025.

Laura Rissanen, State Secretary to the Minister of Social Security

Laura Rissanen, born on 15 April 1976, has served as a State Secretary to the Minister of Social Security since June 2023. State Secretary Rissanen is responsible for EU and international affairs that fall within the Minister’s area of responsibility, and matters related to occupational safety and health, farm relief services and gender equality.

Rissanen has over twenty years of experience on policymaking, ranging from municipality decision-making to European Parliament. She knows how decisions are made, and the people behind the decisions.

Elina Korhonen, Chairwoman / Finnish Women, Peace and Security Network  

Elina Korhonen is a chair of the Women, Peace and Security Network in Finland. 
Korhonen is a Director of International Affairs in Väestöliitto – the leading sexual rights organization in Finland – an advisor for the All-Party-Parliamentary-Group on Sexual Rights and Development in the Parliament of Finland, a member of the Development Policy Committee,  and a vice-chair of Finnish Development NGOs Fingo. 
 
Elina is has a masters degree on social policy, a bachelors degree on development studies and she is also a clinical sexual therapist experienced in working with immigrants and those who have experienced sexual violence. 

President Tarja Halonen – keynote speech

Tarja Halonen served as President of Finland from 2000 to 2012. Prior to her election, she held the office of Minister of Social Affairs and Health, Minister of Justice, and Minister for Foreign Affairs. 

  During her career, President Halonen has paid close attention to issues of human rights, democracy, civil society, gender equality and sustainable development. Among other duties, president Halonen is currently a member of UN’s Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Board on Mediation and UNCCD Land Ambassador. 

Panelists: Advancing the WPS Agenda in the Context of UN Operations

(Moderator) Olli Nurmi, Diplomat, Doctoral Researcher, Peacekeeping veteran

Mr. Olli Nurmi is a diplomat and peacekeeping veteran. He has first hand experience of UN-led military crisis management from South Lebanon of which he has written a non-fiction book (Ruutitynnyrin vartijat, Avain 2020). He has previously also worked as a journalist. Since 2013 he has served as a diplomat. His assignments have ranged from crisis diplomacy in Kabul to EU-related regulatory negotiations in Brussels. He has studied political history and is currently working as a doctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki. 

Values defined by action, not words

 

Commander Tyson Nicholas, Strategic Military Advisor, UN Women Commander

 Tyson Nicholas RAN is currently seconded to the position of Strategic Military Advisor,UN Women, New York. In this role, Tyson advises UN Women senior leadership and leads on matters related to gender-responsive peacekeeping and security sector governance and reform. He also represents UN Women in an attaché capacity in international engagement and defence Diplomacy.
 In his 26-year military career, Tyson has served in leadership and staff positions in Australian Clearance Diving Team One, the Australian Amphibious Force, HMA Ships Anzac (FFH-150), Ballarat (FFH-155) and Manoora (L-52), Fleet Headquarters, the Centre for Defence Leadership and Ethics at the Australian Defence College, and a previous two-year secondment to the UN Department of Peace Operations.
 His operational experience includes counter-violent extremism and counter-terrorism operations in the Middle East, combat operations with Australian, NATO, and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, peacekeeping with the UN Mission in South Sudan, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in the South Pacific, and constabulary operations at sea in the Indo-Pacific. 

Inka Lilja, Senior Manager, The Elsie Initiative, DCAF

Inka Lilja is a Senior Manager of the Elsie Program at DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance. The Canadian-led Elsie Initiative aims to enhance women’s meaningful participation in UN peace operations.  

A lawyer by training, she has spent most of her career developing a more gender-sensitive justice and security sector. Prior to working at DCAF, she worked at HEUNI – the European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control, affiliated with the United Nations completing criminological research, developing  evidence-based tools and strategies, and supported the drafting of legislation related to rights of victims and access to justice. She has also worked for UN Office on Drugs and Crime in Myanmar, supporting the reform of the Myanmar Police Force, at the Legal Unit of the Finnish Ministry of Defense and in the Department for Development Cooperation of the Finnish MFA. 

By ensuring women´s meaningful participation, we can make peacekeeping better – more effective, efficient, and fit for purpose

 

Satu Rautarinta – Specialised Police Team / SGBV Team Member, UNMISS

Sari Rautarinta is a Finnish police officer with over 30 years’ experience in police. She has masters in two fields Social sciences (Social politics and International human rights law). She has been nearly 10 years in international tasks. Starting as police adviser in UNAMID (Darfur), followed by 2 years in Afghanistan enhancing capabilities of Afghan police, followed by 3 years as Human rights and gender adviser in Ukraine EUAM. Currently she is a police adviser in UNMISS South Sudan, working in Specialized police team SGBV (SPT SGBV). 

Walk the talk

Panelists: Time for Action: How Finland can take the lead in advancing the WPS Agenda

(Moderator) Elisa Tarnaala, Senior Advisor, CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation

Dr. Elisa Tarnaala is a Senior Adviser at the CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation. She holds the title of Docent at the University of Helsinki and serves as Vice Chairperson of the Finnish 1325 Network, and as Vice Chairperson of Historians Without Borders Finland. She is a member of NATO’s Civil Society Advisory Panel (CSAP) on Women, Peace and Security, and member of the Nordic Women Mediators Finnish branch.

Elisa currently works on peace, conflict, and transitional processes in Afghanistan, Libya, and Colombia. With nearly 30 years of experience, she has engaged in participatory projects with peace activists, memory collectives in conflict-affected communities, victims’ organizations, teachers, youth groups, and former members of armed groups. She has held roles as a grant researcher for academic foundations, senior analyst at research centers, and consultant for international organizations—including the UN, EU, OAS, and AU—as well as NGOs such as IDEA, ICTJ, and IRG. Her work focuses on democracy, conflict, human rights, women’s participation, and gender. She holds a PhD in Political Science and History from The New School for Social Research in New York.

Päivi Kannisto, Chief / UN Women, Peace, Security and Resilience Section  

Ms. Päivi Kannisto is Chief of the Peace, Security and Resilience Section at UN Women headquarters in New York. UN Women supports Member States in implementing their gender equality and women, peace and security commitments in conflict and crisis situations, catalyses and coordinates the UN system’s work in this area and facilitates the work of civil society. Prior to joining UN Women, Päivi worked in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland as Senior Adviser in Gender Equality. She also worked in the Crisis Management Initiative and the Office of President Ahtisaari as Project Manager for the Aceh Peace Process as well as Women in Peace Processes -projects. Before that she worked for 15 years with the United Nations’ entities including UNDP, UNEP, UNAIDS, UN-OCHA in Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Switzerland in conflict and crisis as well as in pre- and post-conflict settings, and in coordination and external relations. She holds a Masters’ degree in Economics from the Turku School of Economics in Finland and a diploma in women’s leadership 

Natalia Bezkhlibna, Civic Activist, Mediator, Dialogue Facilitator, Trainer (Ukraine)  

Natalia Bezkhlibna is a seasoned mediator, dialogue facilitator, and project designer and leader with a rich background in various fields. With over 8 years of experience designing and leading civil society initiatives in Ukraine, she is dedicated to fostering a culture of dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution. Her areas of expertise include peacebuilding, conflict-sensitivity, mediation, public dialogue, conflict transformation, and project leadership. 

Dr. Homira May Rezai, Chairwoman, Darza Foundation (Afghanistan)  

Homira May Rezai, PhD FRSA is a British-Hazara scientist and human rights advocate. She serves as the CEO of Education Bridge for Afghanistan and Director of Advocacy at Bolaq Analyst Network. Homira champions intersectional justice, with a focus on Hazara women and other marginalised communities, advocating for their rights through education, policy, and global engagement. 

Inclusion without justice is performative. Sustainable peace begins when the most marginalised communities are heard, protected, and empowered.” 

Ambassador Heli Kanerva, Special Representative for Afghanistan  

At the Foreign Ministry of Finland Ambassador Kanerva has previously served as Special Representative for Mediation and United Nations resolution 1325 Women, Peace and Security. Also as Deputy Director for Security Policy and Crisis Management. 

Ms. Kanerva has been serving two different times at the Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations in New York. Ms. Kanerva has also been working at the Finnish Embassies in Tallinn Estonia and in Budapest Hungary.Ms. Kanerva has the degree of Master of Political Sciences and International Law from the University of Turku Finland. 

(Comment) Pekka Haavisto, Member of Parliament

Pekka Haavisto is a Member of Parliament and the former Foreign Minister of Finland. He is a peace negotiator and a defender of both democracy and human rights. Haavisto is especially experienced in foreign policy and international operations. He has led research into the environmental impact of wars

© Kerttu Penttilä

(Puheenvuoro) Kaari Mattila, Työelämäprofessori / Itä-Suomen Yliopisto, Varapuheenjohtaja / International Federation for Human Rights 

Dr. Kaari Mattila works as a Professor of Practice on human rights and democracy with the University of Eastern Finland. She is one of the Secretary-Generals of International Federation for Human Rights FIDH which unites 188 human rights organisations, many in conflict situations.  

A passionate human rights advocate and feminist leader, Dr. Mattila has worked for 25 years in the fields of human rights and gender equality within civil society, government, and the academia. She has initiated several civil society coalitions, and was the first chairperson of Finland’s ‘Women, Peace and Security network. 

(Puheenvuoro) Karoliina Partanen, puheenjohtaja/ Tane (Tasa-arvoasiain neuvottelukunta)

Karoliina Partanen on ensimmäisen kauden kansanedustaja ja kokoomuksen varapuheenjohtaja. Hän on perustuslakivaliokunnan ja työelämä- ja tasa-arvovaliokunnan jäsen. Partanen toimii tasa-arvoasiain neuvottelukunnan (Tane) puheenjohtajana eduskuntakaudella 2023-2027. Ennen kansanedustajaksi tuloa Partanen työskenteli pitkään asianajajana. Koulutukseltaan Partanen on varatuomari (OTM).

Paneelikeskustelu: Kokonaisturvallisuus Naiset, Rauha ja Turvallisuus – näkökulmasta

(Moderaattori) Katri Makkonen

Katri Makkonen on kokenut juontaja ja viestinnän ammattilainen. Katri on raportoinut maailman menosta ulkomaantoimittajana ja kirjeenvaihtajana ja perehtynyt kansainväliseen politiikkaan opinnoissaan sekä työskennellessään tasavallan presidentin kabinetin jäsenenä. 

Sofia Virta, Vihreiden puheenjohtaja, kansanedustaja 

Annukka Ylivaara, Turvallisuuskomitean sihteeristö

Annukka Ylivaara on Turvallisuuskomitean yleissihteeri. Turvallisuuskomitea on valtioneuvostoa ja ministeriöitä avustava, kokonaisturvallisuuteen liittyvä ennakoivan varautumisen laajapohjainen yhteistoimintaelin. Turvallisuuskomitean sihteeristö valmistelee komitealle kuuluvat asiat sekä panee osaltaan toimeen komitean tekemät päätökset. Tehtäviin kuuluu myös kokonaisturvallisuuden edistäminen eri tasoilla. Ylivaara on koulutukseltaan yleisesikuntaupseeri ja yhteiskuntatieteiden kandidaatti. Hänellä on yli 25 vuoden kokemus erilaisista johto-, suunnittelu- ja asiantuntijatehtävistä. 

”Kokonaisturvallisuus kuuluu kaikille. Yksilöt ovat yhteiskunnan turvallisuuden avaintoimijoita.”

Harriet Lonka, kokonaisturvallisuuden klusterin vetäjä, Pohjois-Savon liitto

Harriet Lonka on kokenut varautumisen ja riskienhallinnan liiketoiminnan kehittäjä ja tutkija. Hän on väitellyt Itä-Suomen yliopistossa aiheenaan valtioneuvoston turvallisuusstrategiatyö lainsäädännön muokkaajana. Tällä hetkellä Harriet rakentaa Kokonaisturvallisuuden klusteria Pohjois-Savossa. Hän on aktiivinen yhteiskunnallinen keskustelija sekä Suomen palopäällystöliiton ja Maanpuolustustiedotuksen suunnittelukunnan jäsen. Harriet on käynyt valtakunnallisen maanpuolustuskurssin nro 235.  

Nähdäkseni kokonaisturvallisuuden saaminen juhlapuheista aidosti koko yhteiskunnan asiaksi edellyttää molempien sukupuolten tasa-arvoista kohtelua myös maanpuolustuksen järjestämisessä. Kovan turvallisuuden ydinasioiden omakohtainen osaaminen ja tuntemus ovat myös rauhantyön yksi tärkeä perusta. Siksi peräänkuulutan sukupuolesta riippumatta koko ikäluokkaa koskevaa asevelvollisuutta

Teemu Tallberg, sotilassosiologian professori, Maanpuolustuskorkeakoulu

Teemu Tallberg toimii sotilassosiologian professorina Maanpuolustuskorkeakoulussa. Hänen tutkimusaiheisiinsa lukeutuvat mm. suomalaisten suhde maanpuolustukseen, sotilaiden sosiaalinen toimintakyky sekä asevelvollisuus ja sukupuolikysymykset. Keväällä 2025 Tasa-arvoasiain neuvottelukunta julkaisi Tallbergin tekemän selvityksen Asevelvollisuus ja sukupuolten tasa-arvo. 

Paula Risikko, Naisten valmiusliiton puheenjohtaja

Paula Risikko on kansanedustaja ja eduskunnan 1. varapuhemies. Hän on toiminut myös eduskunnan puhemiehenä ja neljässä eri ministeritehtävässä viidessä eri hallituksessa: peruspalveluministerinä, sosiaali- ja terveysministerinä, liikenne- ja kuntaministerinä ja sisäministerinä. Risikko on Naisten Valmiusliiton puheenjohtaja. Koulutukseltaan hän on terveystieteiden tohtori, terveydenhuollon opettaja ja sairaanhoitaja.