Finnish Culture

By Musa Raza

Professor : Eric Pollock

Martti Ahtisaari

• Born in 1937 in Viipuri, Finland (now Vyborg, Russia)• A famous Finnish politician & the 10th President of

Finland(1994-2000).• Noble Peace Prize laureate (October 2008).• United Nations Diplomat & Peace mediator.• Well known for peacemaking & development issues since

past 45 years.

Childhood and studies• Father was an NCO army mechanic.• Spent most of his childhood in Kuopio, completed High school at Oulu in

1952.• After 2 years of distance learning studies qualified as a school

teacher in 1959.• In 1960 Moved to Karachi, Pakistan to lead YMCA

physical education training establishment and stayed till 1963.• Joined NGOs and AIESEC

during 1963-1965.• Knows Finnish, Swedish, French,

German & English.

Diplomatic Career• Joined Ministry of Foreign Affairs Finland in 1965, various positions until

1972• At the age of 36 became the Ambassador of Finland to Tanzania and was

accredited to Zambia, Somalia, Mozambique (1975-1976)• Served as UN Commissioner for Namibia (1977-1981) & UN

Undersecretary General for Admin & Management (1987-1991)• Head the UN Transition

Assistance Group (UNTAG) as Special Representativein Namibia(1989)

Photo: Tanzania, 1973

“Mara” for president• Accepted the candidacy of “Social Democratic Party” (SDP) and began the

Presidential Campaign in elections of 1993.• Won the elections quite narrowly against Elisabeth Rehn from Swedish

People’s Party (RKP).• Became the President of Finland in Feb 1994 and held his office from

March 1994-February 2000.• Reasons of fame were untarnished political image and vision of Finland

being an active participant in international affairs.• Political popularity was due to speaking about domestic issues such as

unemployment, meeting the ordinary citizens on monthly basis.• Favoured pluralism and religious tolerance publically.

• Known as “Matka-Mara”, travelled around the world and Finland a lot.• Visited one province a month during his presidency fulfilling his promise

during his campaign.• Strongly supported Finland’s entrance into EU in 1994 Referendum.• Had several negotiations with Viktor Chernomyrdin & Slobodan Milosevic

to end fight in Yugoslav (Kosovo) in 1999.• Last powerful president of Finland prior to modifications in constitution

for reduction of presidential powers.• Regular donator of Unemployed People’s Organization • & Christian social

organizations.

Photo: Lapland, 1993

Peace Negotiations & Development

• Founded Crisis Management Initiative(CMI).• Inspected IRA weapon dumps for Independent International Commission

on Decommissioning (IICD) as part of Northern Ireland Peace process.(2000-2001)

• Lead peace negotiations between Free Aceh Movement (GAM) &Indonesian government, negotiations ended in August 2005by signing disarmament of GAM rebels.

• Consulted peace negotiations for Kosovo crisis.

Photo: Aceh anniversary celebrations in 2006

Achievements• Noble Prize for peace making in 2008• Honorary citizen of Namibia for working to secure the independence from

Republic of South Africa.• Awarded J. William Fulbright Prize for International understanding by the

Fulbright Association in recognition of his work as peacemaker in some of the world's most troubled areas.

• In 2008 awarded with honorary degree by University College, London. • Received the 2007 UNESCO

Felix Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize, for his lifetime contribution to world peace.

Photo: Namibia 2010

Thankyou for your attention