Selected Events, 2005
The Embassy sponsors and supports many special programs and events throughout the year. Please follow the links below to find out more.
Embassy Hosts a Briefing for Open University Students
December 8 U.S. Embassy hosted a briefing for a group of 40 retired Swedish-speaking Finns. The group had taken an Open University course on U.S. modern history and wanted to conclude the course with an Embassy briefing.
U.S. Embassy Donates over 100 Books on America to the Kajaani Public Library/Kajaani Regional Library
November 28 Assistant Public Affairs Officer Chad Peterson visited Kajaani to preside over the donation of over 100 books on the United States to the Kajaani Public Library/Kainuu Regional Library.
PAO Davnie Attends Thanksgiving Dinner in Hämeenlinna
November 26 PAO William Davnie joined 90 members of the Suomi-Amerikka Yhdistysten Liitto in Hämeenlinna for its traditional Thanksgiving Dinner, and spoke after dinner on the meaning of Thanksgiving for America and Finland.
Dr. Larry T. Caldwell Discusses U.S.- Russian Relations at American Embassy
November 16 Dr. Larry Caldwell, Cecil H. and Louise Gamble Professor of Politics at Occidental College, gave a presentation on the current state of U.S.- Russian relations and Russia's domestic, foreign, and military policies at the American Embassy.
Chargé Amy Hyatt Visits City, Media and University Officials in Turku
November 10 Chargé Amy Hyatt visited Turku to meet local city, university and media leaders. She was interviewed by the Turun Sanomat about US-Finnish relations and emphasized the importance of youth exchanges as a way of maintaining the relationship which she described as excellent.
Embassy Officers Briefed the CFSP Discussion Group of EUFORMIN
November 7 Assistant Public Affairs Officer Chad Peterson and Economics Officer Mika Cleverley gave a briefing on the nature of the mission of the United States Embassy in Helsinki to the CFSP Discussion Group of EUFORMIN – an organization with close ties to the Eurooppanuoret, the youth organization of the European Movement of Finland.
Ms. Amy Hyatt Named Chargé d’Affaires Ad Interim Effective 20 October
October 20 With the departure of Ambassador Earle I. Mack, Ms. Amy Hyatt has been named Chargé d’Affaires ad interim effective 20 October, 2005.
Ambassador Earle I. Mack Hosts His Farewell Reception
October 11 Ambassador Earle I. Mack and Mrs. Carol Mack hosted their farewell reception. Speaking to the diplomatic corps, representatives from the Finnish Government, and friends he stated that ‘It has been an honor to serve the United States here in Finland as ambassador this past year and one-half…
Assistant Public Affairs Officer Chad Peterson Visits Joensuu
September 28 Assistant Public Affairs Officer Chad Peterson visited Joensuu to attend the Festival of Visual Culture, which is being supported by a grant from the U.S. Embassy.
New York State Governor Pataki Visits Finland
September 26 Embassy Helsinki welcomed New York State Governor George Pataki. Governor Pataki visited Finland as part of a round-the-world trip including a trade mission to China.
Public Affairs Officer William Davnie Visits Haukilahti School
September 23 Public Affairs Officer William Davnie joined League of Finnish-American Societies (SAYL) Executive Director Laura Noreila-Manninen and American Resource Center Director Liisa Kujanpää in a visit to Haukilahti School in Espoo to discuss a new course on the United States.
American Chamber of Commerce Finland Elects Board of Directors
September 15 Members gathered at an extraordinary meeting to elect the first Board of Directors of the American Chamber of Commerce in Finland (AmCham Finland). To date, fifty prominent American and Finnish companies are Founding Members of the recently established organization which provides a business, networking and policy forum for members.
Ambassador Mack's Visit to Oulu
September 14 Ambassador Mack visited Oulu. He attended a presentation on the Technopolis Science Park and met with the members of Oulu’s Chamber of Commerce followed by a meeting with Oulu’s Mayor Kari Nenonen and Governor Eino Siuriainen.
Public Affairs Officer William Davnie Attends Celebrations in Kokkola Honoring American Father of Modern Figure Skating
September 10 The creator of modern, artistic figure-skating was an American named Jackson Haynes. He spent most of his career in Europe, including Finland. He died in Kokkola in 1875, while on tour in Finland, and is buried in the cemetery there.
U.S. Embassy Supports Tero Saarinen Company And the Boston Camerata at the Helsinki Festival
August 30 Playing in front of a sold-out audience at the Alminsali of the Finnish National Opera, the Tero Saarinen Company and the Boston Camerata performed a dance work entitled ‘Borrowed Light’, which was inspired by the radical Shakers movement that reached its peak in 19th century America.
Public Affairs Officer William Davnie And Political Section Chief Greg Thome Visit Seinäjoki to Attend Amerikan Päivät
August 26-28 The League of Finnish-American Societies (SAYL) held its biennial American Days celebration in Seinäjoki. The organization’s theme this year is ‘Migration’, making Seinäjoki a natural choice for the gathering, as most Finnish-Americans come from that Pohjanmaa region.
Ambassador Mack Hosts Reception for American Fulbrighters
August 25 Ambassador Mack and Mrs. Mack hosted a reception in honor of the new American Fulbright grantees. Ambassador Mack remarked that "the Fulbright Program is the U.S. Government’s flagship exchange program."
Political Officer David Schlaefer Addresses Young European Federalists' Castle Seminar in Hämeenlinna
August 13 Mr Schlaefer was invited by the leadership of the Young European Federalists in Finland to address the following topic: “Transatlantic Relations and the European Union’s Role”. He spoke at length about the evolving EU project, US-EU relations, NATO’s transformation, and areas for US-EU partnership in the future.
Ambassador Mack Hosts a Briefing for Youth For Understanding (YFU) Finland-U.S. Senate Youth Exchange Program Participants
August 12 A group of thirteen American students participated in this prestigious 7-week YFU program this year and spent seven weeks in Finland touring the country, establishing friendships and promoting mutual respect between Finland and the U.S.
Ambassador Mack Hosts a Reception for Team USA
August 8 Ambassador Mack hosted a reception at his residence in honor of TEAM USA who are participating in the 2005 IAAF World Championships in Helsinki, Finland.
Adm. Edmund P. Giambastiani Visited Finland
July 13, 2005 Adm. Edmund P. Giambastiani, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) and the Commander, U. S. Joint Forces Command (CDRUSJFCOM), Visited Finland to meet with the Finnish Chief of Defense, Admiral Juhani Kaskeala.
Embassy Helsinki Independence Day Celebration, June 22
June 22, 2005 The U.S. Embassy in Helsinki celebrated the U.S. Independence Day in late June with nearly a thousand Finnish guests and foreign diplomats accredited in Helsinki.
Wycliffe Gordon on Esplanadi Bandstand, June 21
June 21, 2005 American jazz stars Wycliffe Gordon (trombone), Yvette Spears (vocals), Aaron Diehl (piano), Rodney Jordan (bass), and Winard Haper (drums) will give a free concert at the Esplanadi Bandstand (Espan lava) on Tuesday, June 21 at 19:00.
The American Resource Center And the Helsinki University Renew the Cooperative Agreement, June 6
June 6, 2005 Ambassador Mack and Rector Niiniluoto signed the second renewal of the 5-year cooperative agreement originally signed in 1993.
U.S. Congressional Delegation in Helsinki, May 29-31
May 29-31, 2005 A delegation of members of the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on International Relations visited Helsinki May 29-31 and met with Finnish members of Parliament and government officials to discuss a broad range of issues.
Ambassador Mack Visits Rovaniemi, May 23
May 23, 2005 Ambassador Mack visited Rovaniemi as a guest of MP Jari Vilen. He visited Arktikum, The Provincial Museum of Lapland, The Teacher Training School, and The Lapland Air Command.
American Embassy, Finland Launches New Website, May 14
May 14, 2005 The website of the Embassy of the United States to Finland has undergone a major transformation, in a redesign process updating both the form and content of the site.
U.S. Embassy Co-Sponsors Barbershop Concert at Caisa, May 13
May 13, 2005 U.S. Embassy Helsinki partnered with the Canadian Embassy.
U.S. Embassy Helsinki Builds Bridges Between Drexel University MBA Program And Helsinki School of Economics, May 4
May 4, 2005 Ambassador Mack hosted a group visiting from Drexel University, including the Dean of the MBA program and 25 students, for a reception at the Ambassador's residence.
U.S. Embassy Sponsored Multicultural Education Speaking Tour, April 19
April 19, 2005 U.S. Embassy Helsinki co-hosted a seminar on "Multiculturalism: The Next Generation" with the British Embassy for 80 key policy makers and opinion leaders involved in multi-culturalism and education in Finland.
Counselor for Press And Cultural Affairs Speaks to Journalism Students
April 2005 Counselor for Press and Cultural Affairs Victoria Middleton addressed journalism students at the Helsinki Business Polytechnic.
U.S. Embassy Helsinki Supports Finnish Atlantic Council Youth Conference with USNATO Speaker
April 09,2005 Acting Political Adviser at USNATO Stuart Seldowitz gave keynote remarks on the U.S. view of transatlantic relations at the annual NORSEC (Nordic Baltic Security) regional conference in Helsinki April 9.
Visit USA Seminar, March 10
March 10, 2005 Visit USA Committee Finland in cooperation with the Commercial Section of the U.S. Embassy Helsinki held an annual Visit USA Seminar at Matkatalo.
U.S. Arctic Research Commission Visits Finland
March 5-12, 2005 U.S. Arctic Research Commission Team led by Chairman George Newton met with Finnish officials and visited several sites in Helsinki, Rovaniemi and Oulu.