Why Pekka Haavisto is the Right President, Right Now

We have been working for our native Finland from abroad for well over ten years. During this time, we have changed, Finland has changed, and the world has changed. However, our interest in Finland's well-being has remained. We are proud of our Finnishness, and we hope that Finland will remain a good place to live for our children and future generations.

We moved to the U.S. during Obama's first administration, and assimilated in American culture during his second. Through this time, our Manhattan based startup accelerator Nest New York funneled more than 30 Finnish and other European startups that eventually settled in different states in the rest of the country.?

The deep essence of America; the beauty of Americanness, but also its dark unsolved ugly side suddenly and unabashedly hit our conscience during the Trump era.?

We had moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans, a Democratic voting, 59% black city with a rich cultural heritage, is controlled by state representatives that are 71% Republican, 81% men, and 73% white. During those years, the confrontation between the rich and the poor, the white and the non-white, the MAGA and the BLM became up close and palpable. Our jobs took us around the country only to witness similar tension in other states.?

During Joe Biden’s Presidency, we have lived in purple Colorado, which swears by science and education. We quickly joined the familiar cleantech, space and quantum ecosystems; it’s easy for a Finn to love happy, clean and efficient Colorado.

Drawing on these experiences, both the inspirational as well as the cautionary, we want to offer our expertise and contribution to the election of Finland's next president. We feel that it is important for the following reasons:

1. The fate of Finland matters
2. Finland's lead is followed
3. The role of the president is central

Let’s examine these claims more closely.?

1. The fate of Finland matters

Since the beginning of Finland's independence in 1917, the country has been purposefully built towards a civilized, advanced, equal, forward-looking and free society. After the Second World War, Finland joined the ranks of nations as a nation, joining international organizations promoting global peace, trade, development, and financing. Our industry took off, the Technical Research Center of Finland (VTT) grew rapidly and we began to purposefully move from a state relying on agriculture and heavy industry towards an economic model with high value-add based on research and product development.

As wealth grew, the state and municipalities created the foundation of a welfare society. Primary schools, health centers, libraries, swimming pools, public transport, child allowances, study allowance, housing allowance, unemployment compensation and the pension system are built to run a system whose purpose is to create more knowledge and skills, more know-how, more development that benefits everyone.

Nokia's success and EU membership made us international in a new way, and more aware of our own value. The next success story was built on this basis, which was visible externally with brands like Slush, Angry Birds, Supercell, Wolt, etc. Tomorrow's success stories are now being built in physics, chemistry, and biology laboratories. These new, next-generation Finnish products solve problems no smaller than the destiny of the human kind. There will be no shortage of customers.

NATO membership, which came quickly and somewhat unexpectedly, shows the future direction. As Russia's border neighbor, Finland of course plays a particularly important role in the defense alliance, but the US government is also actively looking for "like-minded countries" on the civilian side. The multi-billion-dollar projects for dual-use technologies granted by Congress are now also accessible to Finns.

In the big picture, Finland has been a political and economic success story throughout its existence. It matters greatly how the development continues. During the Obama and Trump administrations, we saw up close how a country can change, first slowly and then very quickly, from a society where constructive discussion was held across the aisle, to a society where separated angry camps shout past each other.

For Finland and for Finns, it is important we continue to build the country based on the same core values that got us here. Nobody from the outside will come to save us if we ourselves do not know how to cherish and maintain what we have built.

2. Finland's lead is followed

In Finland, it is often thought that we are a small country with little power. Instead of absolute economic or military power, there is a lot of influential power. We have experienced this first hand in our private lives, in our work lives, and in the local media.

Countless times, both in the USA and in France, we have been told how great it is that we are from Finland, "You have such a great education, functioning society, the happiest people. I wish things were this great for us too." In the business world, it is easy for a Finn to get a meeting. Our expertise is valued, we are trusted, and people are curious about what we have to offer.

The positive publicity created by former Prime Minister Sanna Marin, a good level of education, low corruption, everyone's rights, strange customs such as wife-carrying or the World Championships for playing Air Guitar, create an image of a nation with good self-esteem, self-irony, and who managed to create a paradise in the barren land of the north by working together for common good.?

The world is thirsty for role models, and Finland is already one. What kind of example we set, what kind of actions are taken under our brand, is observed, emulated and repurposed around the world.?

3. The role of the president is central

Our young NATO country is in an unprecedented security situation. Security is threatened by both internal and external forces.

Anti-democratic movements are growing and intensifying in social media. Social platforms promote content that causes strong emotional reactions, and increase the number of advertisements. Peaceful, reason-based discussion is decreasing, even disappearing from social media. Whole generations get their information and build their views from these platforms. The influence of traditional, truth-seeking media is shrinking.

The level of education is falling, teachers are overcrowded, and students do not value learning. The boys are left behind. There are challenges in university education, the funding of researchers is perceived as intrusive. Information based on research is questioned, ridiculed and attempts are made to water down the concept of truth.

Structural change, globalization, and digitalization are terms behind which a number of marginalized people can be found both in Finland and around the world. The marginalized are tired and feel like outsiders, useless and unnecessary. Some rebel with radical, shocking exits.

The role of the president as a value leader is absolutely central in this situation. The president should be the person who takes everyone into account, communicates to everyone, and offers a vision of a future for all. Pekka Haavisto's age, experience and background make him the value leader that Finland needs now.

The President manages foreign policy together with the Government. Foreign policy strives for security, well-being and ideological goals, and these are pursued through negotiation and diplomacy. Pekka Haavisto is the absolute shining star in Finnish diplomacy. In a calm, low-profile style, he has negotiated peace in the Balkans, Sudan and Somalia, and led UN conflict studies in Afghanistan, Palestine, Iraq and Liberia.

There is no better president for a new NATO country bordering Russia. Haavisto's familiarity with Russian issues at the Foreign Policy Institute, during his time as foreign minister during the Ukrainian war and Finland’s NATO application period, as well as his experience as a lecturer at the NATO Institute, among other things, makes Pekka Haavisto the best president for Finland in 2024 and beyond.

We invite Finnish expats around the world, friends and allies to contribute to Haavisto’s campaign.?

Ismo Rantala, IT, wine and real estate entrepreneur (USA, France)

Petra S?derling, researcher, author, World Bank consultant (USA)