Beneficial to society, a joy to people. Anu Vehviläinen becomes Blic’s new senior advisor.

In her blog, Blic's new Senior Advisor Anu Vehviläinen envisions Finland in the year 2100. She emphasizes that our political focus should extend far enough to encompass the future that today’s babies will inhabit. Vehviläinen believes that nostalgia won’t lead to progress—only a nation willing to embrace renewal will thrive. That’s the Finland she envisions: an ambitious, future-driven country prepared to flourish both now and in the years ahead. 

After stepping down from Parliament at the end of the previous term, I’ve been reflecting on my role in society. I want to contribute in a meaningful way and be a positive force for people. I’ve come to realize that the broad experience I accumulated over my 24 years in Parliament can still be put to good use in serving the public. Not all the knowledge needed to build our nation resides in the heads of decision-makers or within ministries. It’s our collective duty to ensure that lawmakers have consistent access to high-quality, targeted information. An interactive civil society means respecting and including diverse perspectives, and it’s essential to ensure that interest groups—from businesses to nonprofits—are able to play their part in shaping our future.

In recent years, public discourse has been dominated by two key themes: economic stability and security. While they are, of course, the cornerstones of national sovereignty, they alone won’t give Finland its future vision. Economic competitiveness, business growth, and a steady influx of capital are the driving forces that should form the foundation of our future. But at the heart of this vision should be people, because that’s who it’s for. 

I am deeply concerned about the growing divide in our society. When individuals feel disconnected from society, they become indifferent to its rules. We live in an era of diversity, and the role of an interactive civil society has never been more important. The concept of “us versus them” leads us nowhere. Instead, we must create a “we” that enables dialogue, information sharing, and compromise—only through this shared vision can we build a prosperous Finland together.

When I picture life decades from now, when today’s babies are grown and the century has turned, I think of both the bigger picture and the concrete details. Rooted in my own background, I think of what benefits Finland as a whole. For instance, it’s crucial that people can live comfortably where they feel at home, which means that the accessibility of infrastructure and logistics is paramount. This foundation is necessary for public services and the economy alike, with the everyday citizen at the core. Finland must continue to invest in a culture of experimentation, taking the lead in innovations that move us forward. Progress and a forward-thinking attitude aren’t possible without high quality and accurate information. My hope is to bring my expertise to promote the common good, ensuring that Finnish decision-making embraces bold innovations and ambitious visions that carry us far into the future.

Anu Vehviläinen

Senior Advisor