Selected Events, 2006
The Embassy sponsors and supports many special programs and events throughout the year. Please follow the links below to find out more.
American Embassy Will Open Condolence Book to Mourn Former U.S. President Gerald R. Ford
December 2006 The Embassy of the United States of America in Helsinki will open a condolence book for members of the public who wish to write condolences following the death of former U.S. President Gerald R. Ford.
Ambassador Ware Addresses Junior Chamber International Helsinki
December 15, 2006 Ambassador Ware addressed the members of JCI Helsinki celebrating the Pitkä Lounas, one of the oldest events in Finland.
Ambassador Ware Visits Eero Saarinen Exhibition at Helsinki's Taidehalli
December 5, 2006 Ambassador Ware visited the Eero Saarinen exhibition at Helsinki's Taidehalli.
Congressional Delegation Visits Helsinki
November 27, 2006 Ambassador Marilyn Ware hosted a group of visiting American Congressional Representatives led by Congressman David Dreier (R-California) at her residence.
Ambassador Ware Addresses Helsinki International Rotary Club on 'Water - Who Has It and Who Doesn't?'
October 30, 2006 Ambassador Ware addressed a meeting of Helsinki's International Rotary Club.
Ambassador Ware Opens Visit USA Seminar
October 26, 2006 Ambassador Ware welcomed Finnish travel professionals to the annual Visit USA Seminar. She thanked the Visit USA Committee Finland for organizing the seminar and promoting travel to the U.S.
American Voices Seminar in Turku Brings Together Fulbright Students, Scholars, Researchers and Teacher Exchange Program Participants
October 20-21, 2006 The University of Turku in Finland hosted the fourteenth annual American Voices Seminar.
Embassy Discusses NATO
October 18, 2006 Ambassador Ware and Political Chief Greg Thome met with members of the Atlantic Council Youth on Wednesday, October 18, to discuss NATO.
Ambassador Ware Addresses Paasikivi Society
October 17, 2006 Ambassador Ware addressed the distinguished members of the Paasikivi Society on the topic of 'U.S. Foreign Policy and Transformational Diplomacy'.
U.S. Visual and Cultural Anthropologist Faye Ginsburg Talks at the Visual Culture Festival in Joensuu
October 1, 2006 The theme of the 6th Visual Culture Festival in Joensuu was urban life, introducing 33 ethnographic, anthropological and documentary films from 25 countries.
Sibelius Academy Celebrates Steve Reich's 70th Birthday
October 2006 The faculty and students at the Sibelius Academy organized a week-long festival of Clapping Music, September 27-October 3, to celebrate "America's greatest living composer" Steve Reich's 70th birthday.
U.S. Poet Charles Bernstein Attends the Turku Book Fair and Talks to Students in Helsinki
September 30, 2006 Charles Bernstein, Professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania and a well-known U.S. poet/ theorist of the language poetry, attended the Turku Book Fair on the release of the Finnish translation of his poems and essays from 1978-2006.
Cuba Transition Coordinator Caleb McCarry Visited Finland
September 29, 2006 The Department of State’s Cuba Transition Coordinator Caleb McCarry visited Helsinki for meetings with MFA officials and journalists.
Ambassador Ware Visits Jyväskylä
September 22, 2006 Ambassador Ware visited Jyväskylä where she was invited to the Lyseo School to meet with International Baccalaureate students as well as to the Norssi Teacher Training School to speak to over 120 upper secondary high school students.
Benjamin Franklin and John Morton Visited Finland
September 20, 2006 The American Embassy in Helsinki welcomed John Morton and Benjamin Franklin to Finland.
Political Section Chief Greg Thome Briefs American Chamber of Commerce's Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC)
September 19, 2006 In the wake of the Lebanon crisis, the American Chamber of Commerce's OSAC invited Political Section Chief Gregory Thome to join Juha Markkanen of the Finnish Foreign Ministry and OSAC members.
Carla Mudgett, Regional Public Diplomacy Desk Officer for Nordic, Baltic, and North Central European Countries
September 12-13, 2006 Carla Mudgett, Regional Public Diplomacy Desk Officer for Nordic, Baltic, and North Central European Countries in the Bureau of European and Eurasia, visited Finland.
Ambassador Ware Attends Millennium Technology Prize Ceremony
September 8, 2006 Ambassador Ware attended the Millennium Technology Prize ceremony hosted by the Millennium Prize Foundation.
Ambassador Ware Hosts Reception for Minnesota Orchestra
August 29, 2006 Ambassador Ware hosted a reception in honor of the Minnesota Orchestra's visit to Finland.
Amy Hyatt Welcomes 2006-2007 American Fulbright Grantees to Finland
August 23, 2006 Deputy Chief of Mission Amy Hyatt, along with the Embassy's Public Affairs Section and the Fulbright Center organized a reception.
Consul Pirkko Urli Briefs Tampere's Chamber of Commerce on Consular Issues
August 22, 2006 Consul Pirkko Urli visited Tampere to speak about consular issues to Tampere's Chamber of Commerce.
DCM Amy Hyatt Attends Neste Oil Rally Event
August 17, 2006 Deputy Chief of Mission Amy Hyatt attended the Neste Oil Rally Finland event in Jyväskylä.
Ambassador Ware Meets with JCI Helsinki Board Members
August 16, 2006 Ambassador Marilyn Ware met with seven board members from the Helsinki chapter of the Junior Chamber International (JCI Helsinki).
Ambassador Ware Visits Turku
August 14, 2006 Ambassador Ware visited Turku for the second time. In addition to visiting Turku's cathedral and castle, Ambassador Ware called on the Lord Mayor of Turku Mikko Pukkinen and Rectors and Vice Rectors from the University of Turku, Åbo Academy, and the Turku School of Economics.
Ambassador Ware Hosts Youth for Understanding (YFU) Finland-U.S. Senate Youth Exchange Program Participants
August 11, 2006 A group of fourteen American YFU exchange students visited the American Embassy to meet Ambassador Ware, receive a briefing about the Embassy's operations, and learn more about the U.S. Foreign Service.
Ambassador Ware Attends Opening of Kotka's Maritime Festival
July 27, 2006 Ambassador Ware attended the opening of Kotka’s Maritime Festival.
Ambassador Ware Visits Michael Quarshie Football Camp in Vantaa
July 6, 2006 Ambassador Ware visited the Michael Quarshie Football Camp in Vantaa. Michael Quarshie plays for the Oakland Raiders and is accompanied by two NFL colleagues: Ryan Liddle and Wade Fletcher.
Ambassador Ware Hosts Independence Day Celebrations
June 21, 2006 Ambassador Ware hosted the U.S. Embassy’s Independence Day Celebrations.
Ambassador Ware Delivered a Speech on the Second Finnish EU Presidency
June 15, 2006 Ambassador Marilyn Ware spoke to the American Chamber of Commerce’s seminar on the second Finnish EU presidency.
Colleen Graffy, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Visited Finland
June 4-6, 2006 Colleen Graffy, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs visited Finland.
Group of Middle School Students Studying American Studies Visited the Embassy
June 2006 This year, two classes of Haukilahti Middle School students studied an experimental U.S. studies course developed by their two history teachers.
United States and Finland Sign Protocol to Income Tax Treaty
May 31, 2006 U.S. Ambassador Marilyn Ware and Coordinate Minister of Finance Ulla-Maj Wideroos signed a new Protocol to amend the existing bilateral income tax treaty, concluded in 1989, between the two countries.
Senior Advisor Madelyn Spirnak Visited Finland
May 18-19, 2006 Madelyn Spirnak, Senior Advisor for Biotechnology in the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs at the Department of State, visited Helsinki.
U.S. Embassy Hosts American Chamber of Commerce’s Anniversary Reception
May 16, 2006 Ambassador Marilyn Ware presided over the anniversary celebrations of the AmCham Finland at the U.S. Embassy.
Ambassador Ware Attends Opening of the Maple Leaf and Eagle Conference
May 16, 2006 Ambassador Ware attended the opening of the Maple Leaf and Eagle conference at the University of Helsinki. The conference (May 16-19) is the eleventh biennial Maple Leaf and Eagle Conference hosted by the Helsinki North American Studies Program since 1986.
Middle East Discussion with Atlantic Council
May 2, 2006 Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Gordon Gray discussed American policy in the Middle East with Atlantic Council members.
Ambassador Ware Hosted an Award Ceremony for Essay Contest Winners
April 28, 2006 Ambassador Marilyn Ware hosted an award ceremony for the winners of an essay contest arranged by the League of Finnish-American Societies (LFAS) in cooperation with the National Board of Education.
Ambassador Ware Hosted a Roundtable Discussion for AmCham Finland's Innovative U.S. Pharma Committee
April 21, 2006 Ambassador Marilyn Ware hosted a roundtable discussion for AmCham Finland's Innovative U.S. Pharma Committee at the U.S. Embassy.
Vice-Consul Timothy Eydelnant Informs Students of the U.S. Student Visa Regulations
April 20, 2006 Vice-Consul Timothy Eydelnant gave a presentation at the Fulbright Center on student visa regulations and processing.
Ambassador Ware Attends Deloitte House, Helsinki, Opening
April 6, 2006 Ambassador Ware joined Deloitte-Finland President Teppo Rantanen at a ceremony dedicating Deloitte’s new office quarters.
The United States and Finland Sign Child Support Agreement
April 3, 2006 U.S. Ambassador Marilyn Ware and Director General Irma Ertman, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, have signed an agreement between the United States and Finland on the enforcement of child support decisions.
U.S.-Finnish Law Enforcement Seminar
April 3, 2006 U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Amy Hyatt spoke at the opening ceremony of a U.S.-Finnish law enforcement training seminar in Vantaa.
Ambassador Ware Celebrates with Friendship League
March 31, 2006 Ambassador Marilyn Ware joined the Helsinki Finnish-American Friendship Society’s celebration of its 60th anniversary at the Helsinki Tram Museum.
Admiral Collins Visits Finland
March 28-April 1, 2006 U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Admiral Thomas H. Collins visited Finland March 28-April 1.
Public Affairs Officer Davnie Addresses Nummi-Pusulan Lukio Students in Nummi-Pusula
March 24, 2006 Public Affairs Officer William Davnie visited Nummi-Pusula Upper Secondary School.
Dr. Michael Rubin Visits Finland to Discuss Iran’s Nuclear Program
March 18-22, 2006 Dr. Michael Rubin, Resident Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, visited Finland to discuss Iran’s nuclear program, the Middle East Peace Process, and Iraq.
Public Affairs Officer William Davnie Visits Vaasa
March 17-18, 2006 Mr. Davnie visited Vaasa to present 130 books donated to the City Library on behalf of the American Embassy in Finland.
Ambassador Ware Hosts Welcome Reception
March 13, 2006 Ambassador Ware hosted a welcoming reception for over 200 Finnish dignitaries and diplomats.
Ambassador Marilyn Ware Welcomes American Chamber of Commerce Board Members to U.S. Embassy
March 9, 2006 Following her credential ceremony at the Presidential Palace, Ambassador Ware met with the American Chamber of Commerce Board members to familiarize herself with the American Chamber’s operations and objectives in Finland.
Ambassador Marilyn Ware Presents Credentials to the President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen
March 9, 2006 Ambassador Marilyn Ware presented her credentials to the Republic of Finland’s President Tarja Halonen at the Presidential Palace.
Assistant Public Affairs Officer Chad Peterson Donates Books on Behalf of the US Embassy to Kuopio's Regional Library
February 27, 2006 APAO Chad Peterson visited Kuopio's Regional Library to present 130 books donated on behalf of the American Embassy in Finland.
Ambassador Marilyn Ware Arrives in Helsinki
February 24, 2006 Ambassador Marilyn Ware arrived in Helsinki to begin her duties as the new U.S. Ambassador to Finland.
Assistant Public Affairs Officer Chad Peterson Addresses University of Jyväskylä Students and Meets University Vice Rector Tiihonen
February 24, 2006 Mr. Peterson visited the University of Jyväskylä to address student union officials about the current state of U.S.-Finnish relations and current trends in U.S. foreign policy.
Assistant Public Affairs Officer Chad Peterson Addresses Sammon Keskuslukio Students at Tampere
February 23, 2006 APAO Chad Peterson spoke to over 60 Sammon keskuslukio students about the U.S. foreign service and how U.S. foreign policy is formulated and implemented.
Assistant Public Affairs Officer Chad Peterson Presents Book Donation to Lapland's Regional Library
February 22, 2006 APAO Chad Peterson visited Lapland's Regional Library to present 130 books donated on behalf of the American Embassy in Finland.
Conan O’Brien and His Entourage Descend upon U.S. Embassy
February 14, 2006 NBC’s Late Night talk show host, Conan O’Brien, visited the U.S. Embassy.
U.S. Embassy Briefs Police Officers from Finnish Police Academy in Espoo
February 13, 2006 Assistant Regional Security Officer Tom Woronicak and Assistant Public Affairs Officer Chad Peterson gave a briefing to 30 police officers from the Finnish Police Academy in Espoo.
Marilyn Ware Sworn in as New U.S. Ambassador to Finland
February 7, 2006 U.S. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes presided over Ms. Marilyn Ware’s swearing-in ceremony as the new U.S. Ambassador to Finland at the Department of State.
PAO William Davnie Attends Seminar on Internationalising Education in Lapua
January 31, 2006 Public Affairs Officer William Davnie joined National Board of Education staff in Lapua for a seminar on Internationalising Education.
Dr. Patricia Prinz Visits Finland to Discuss “Multiculturalism in U.S. Schools”
January 21, 2006 Dr. Patricia Prinz, founding Dean of Southern New Hampshire University's School of Education, was a featured speaker at a British Embassy hosted seminar.
Peter Chase, Director of the Office for EU Affairs, Met with Finnish Journalists
January 20, 2006 Peter Chase, Director of the Office for European Union Affairs in the State Department, met with reporters in Helsinki.
Chargé d’Affaires Amy Hyatt Opens USA Pavilion at ‘Matka 2006’
January 19, 2006 Chargé Hyatt opened the USA Pavilion at Matka 2006. She expressed her appreciation to Finland’s Visit USA Committee and the U.S. Commercial Service at the U.S Embassy in Helsinki for organizing the USA Pavilion.