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The event programme will feature informative presentations and discussions on the event themes, where participants will be able to consider alternative solutions to support their own choices while also providing them with tools to make a wider impact.
Kuusamo Summit 2020 is an English speaking virtual event that will be streamed live from virtual studios in Helsinki and Kuusamo on 10th October 2020 from 11am (EEST). The event will last approximately three hours.
Zahra is a 17 year old activist, host and journalist. She is currently studying her last year of high school at Kulosaari Secondary School. Zahra has been taking part in organising demonstrations like Finland's Black Lives Matter protests.
Joni is a student and an entrepreneur from Kuusamo who is interested in photography, videography and editing. Environmental issues are something he wants to influence through his own actions. Joni is also one of the youth behind Kuusamo Summit 2020.
Petteri is the Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organisation and a climate guru from Finland. He has a strong scientific background in atmosphere sciences, and has published over 50 publications including ones on global climate change. Petteri also strongly believes that our common goal should be to act on issues rather than simply discuss them.
Otso is a sustainable lifestyle influencer and author who shares information about the implementation of circular economy practices, entrepreneurship, and community development on his account @nollahukka. He became known after spending a year minimising his non-recyclable waste so that it fit into a 500ml jar. Over the past year, he has been investigating the textile industry from a sustainable development perspective.
Marja is Doctor of Science (Tech) at Aalto University who specialises in textile engineering, textile fibres and textile chemistry. Her areas of interest are the sustainability of textile materials and product safety issues of textiles and garments. Her current research focuses on the development of novel man-made cellulose fibres (Ioncell) and the recycling of textiles.
Outi is a sustainability influencer and an expert in the sustainable upkeep of clothing as well as secondhand fashion. She has been writing a blog since 2007 which focuses on the maintenance of clothes, sustainable fashion, textile recycling and how to make your textile use more eco-friendly. She is also actively sharing information on these topics on her account @outilespyy. Outi's upcycled clothing has been worn among other occasions at the Independence Day Reception in Finland.
Kuusamon Juusto is a local cheese factory whose independent journey started in 2012. The company has started a comprehensive development programme where solutions to improve their operations are looked at in accordance with sustainable development lessons. In his statement, Jarmo Oksman, CEO of Kuusamon Juusto, will give further insight into how they implement sustainability in food production.
Alina is a board member of Zero Waste Finland ry, and one of the founding members of Zero Waste Poland. She is studying an online course on climate change at the University of Helsinki, while working as a volunteer in Finland's first zero waste supermarket. Alina also writes a blog where she shares recipes and tips on waste free cooking, among other things.
Valo is a young man who is interested in improving people's mental and physical health through a healthy lifestyle. He has been vegan for around three years, after learning more about the treatment of production animals. To Valo, veganism brings health and a clear conscience, knowing that his food choices do not increase the suffering of other living things.
Kuusamon energia- ja vesiosuuskunta (EVO) is an energy and water cooperative organisation founded in 1950. They are responsible for the area's clean water supply, the treatment of wastewater, and the distribution of district heating. Sustainable practices are built into their strategy, and one of their missions is to support the development of circular economy. Kimmo Viinikka, head of water supply networks at Kuusamon EVO, will discuss this in more detail.
Noora is a journalist, blogger and producer whose work focuses on sustainable living - in particular within the food and cosmetics industries. She is the editor of chief of the new NU-media which has been built from her original blog Kemikaalicocktail. Noora has also create her own natural cosmetics line with Mádara.
Sari is a researcher at the Artic Centre, University of Lapland, where se researchers the effects of climate change on the vegetation and soil of the Northern forest and fjeld ecosystems. Of particular interest has been the traditional use of land based on the nature of Northern areas. The information gained from her research is used both locally and globally
Miikka is a Protect Our Winters (POW) ambassador and a member of its board, freerider and ex-professional snowboarder. He is from Rovaniemi, is a father of two children and an entrepreneur at Kota Collective. A sports enthusiast who prefers to be outdoors in nature over the fuss of the city. Due to the nature of his work and his own passions, he is interested in sustainable travelling.
Marinella "Monni" Himari is an outdoor journalist, author and nature phtographer with a passion for protecting diversity in nature and promoting sustainable travelling. You can read her nature themed accounts on the KAUKOKAIPUU blog, as well as being able to discover tips about destinations for your future trips on the account @suomiretki, that she maintains.
Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association was founded in 2002 by the largest tourism organisations together with the city of Kuusamo. The organisation aims to advance the operational environment of local organisations, increase awareness and attractiveness of the area both nationally and internationally. This all is done taking sustainability into account as we will hear in a statement by Mats Lindfors, CEO of Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association.
Billy is a British musician and content producer from London, UK. He recently graduated from university, and has spent the last six months trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Billy has been making TikToks for Kuusamo Summit 2020, and some of our favourites will be featured in the event.
These young people have been part of Kuusamo Summit since its inception and will share what they are expecting from the event at our Kuusamo Studio. They will also present questions for our speakers to answer.
RARE is a next-generation media house which produces unapologetic content from the point of view of sustainable development. The purpose of their media is to create an impact within the world of sustainability. The team at RARE is young which allows them to give a voice to their generation.
The team behind Kuusamo Summit consists of the project team, our young people and various partners who have given input into writing various parts of the event programme. In its entirety, the event has been scripted in collaboration with RARE media.