Selected Events, 2007
The Embassy sponsors and supports many special programs and events throughout the year. Please follow the links below to find out more.
Embassy's Consular Section Attends a Customer Service Training Session
December 19, 2007 Members of the Embassy's Consular Section attended a customer service training session developed by the Hilton Helsinki Strand Hotel for the Consular staff.
Weaving Hope -- Afghan American Visits Lapland University
November 30, 2007 Ms. Tooba Mayel visited Rovaniemi to discuss the significant work Arzu is doing to improve lives in Afghanistan.
Connie K. Duckworth, President and Chairman, of Arzu in Finland
November 27-30, 2007 Arzu, meaning hope in Dari, is a not-for-profit organization that provides sustainable income to Afghan women by sourcing and selling the rugs they weave.
"Surge Is Working"
November 26-29, 2007 Retired U.S. Army four-star General Jack Keane, a key architect of the U.S. surge strategy in Iraq, visited Finland November 26-29, 2007, for meetings with Finland's political and military leaders.
Embassy Officer Visits the City of Jyväskylä
November 14-16, 2007 Visiting the region for the third time this year, Economic Officer Glenn Lewis spoke to business professionals and students during the “Doing Business with the United States” seminar sponsored by the Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences.
Ambassador's Speech at the Swedish Club in Helsinki Draws a Full House
November 4, 2007 Ambassador Marilyn Ware discussed "Why Afghanistan Matters" within a speech she delivered on the transatlantic relationship at Helsinki's venerable Swedish Club on October 31st.
Ambassador Ware Visits Multi-Cultural Basketball Tournament
November 4, 2007 Ambassador Ware attended a school league basketball tournament arranged by 09 Helsinki Human Rights Foundation (09 HHR) in Herttoniemenranta, Helsinki.
Chargé Amy Hyatt Hosted a Reception for Local Finnish-Somali Community Leaders
November 2007 Chargé Amy Hyatt hosted a reception for local Finnish-Somali community leaders at her home to discuss issues related to the Somali immigrant community.
Economic Officer Glenn Lewis Visits Itäkeskus High School
October 31, 2007 On Halloween Economic Officer Glenn Lewis spoke on the somewhat scary topic of climate change at Itäkeskus High School in Helsinki.
Discover America!
October 25, 2007 U.S. Ambassador Marilyn Ware offered welcoming remarks at the eighteenth annual Discover America Seminar in Helsinki.
NASA Speakers Thrill Students
October 23-24, 2007 NASA officials Ellen Carpenter and George Sydnor wowed students with presentations on the U.S. National Aeronautic Space Administration (NASA) and its specialized wind tunnels for testing aircraft and spacecraft.
Ambassador Ware Visits Rovaniemi – Gateway to Finnish Lapland
October 4, 2007 On her first trip to Lapland, Ambassador Marilyn Ware visited Rovaniemi as the official guest of Hannele Pokka, Governor of the Province of Lapland.
Ambassador Ware's Remarks to Lotta Tradition Society in Rovaniemi
October 4, 2007 "Dear Lotta Ladies, you strong women of Finland, I am honored to be with you for this day. It is a pleasure to be with Minister Rehn and I thank her for her friendship when I arrived as a new ambassador."
Ambassador Ware Met with a Group of American Lawyers and Judges Visiting Helsinki
October 4, 2007 Ambassador Marilyn Ware met with a group of American lawyers and judges visiting Helsinki to learn more about the Finnish legal system and to speak to students at the Helsinki School of Law.
From "Aristotle to Rocky" Delights Helsinki Filmmakers and Students
October 2, 2007 Professor Mark Axelrod from the Department of English and Comparative Literature at Chapman University gave a public lecture, From Aristotle to Rocky, at the University of Helsinki.
Former Director of Policy Planning Dr. Stephen Krasner Enlightens Helsinki Audiences
September 24-26, 2007 Stanford Professor of International Relations Dr. Stephen Krasner, former Director of Policy Planning in the Department of State, spoke to Finnish audiences on the realities of policy planning in foreign affairs.
Embassy Sponsors GLOBE Teachers’ Conference in Helsinki
September 21, 2007 Educators from around Finland gathered at the American Resource Center at the National Library in Helsinki.
Ambassador Ware Welcomes U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen to Finland
September 20, 2007 Ambassador Marilyn Ware welcomed Professor Brannon Wheeler, founding Director of the U.S. Naval Academy's Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies, and four Senior-class Midshipmen -- Kayleigh Biven, Stefanie Peskosky, Matthew Morse and Sarah Horn.
Economic Officer Glenn Lewis Addressed the Finnish-American Society on U.S. Efforts to Confront Global Climate Change
September 20, 2007 Economic Officer Glenn Lewis addressed the Finnish-American Society on efforts by the United States to confront global climate change.
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Volker Visits Finland
September 14, 2007 Kurt Volker, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs in the U.S. Department of State, addressed the Finnish Atlantic Council.
High School Students Discuss the Civil Rights Movement with Assistant Public Affairs Officer Kimberly Hargan
September 13, 2007 A group of students from Ressu high school visited the American Resource Center to meet with Assistant Public Affairs Officer Kimberly Hargan.
Public Affairs Officer Nicole Conn Presents Book Donation to Itä-Uusimaa Regional Library
September 12, 2007 Public Affairs Officer Nicole Conn visited the city of Porvoo to present the America@YourLibrary book donation to the Itä-Uusimaa regional library on behalf of the American Embassy in Finland.
Speaker on the Middle East Reaches Key Finnish Audiences
August 31, 2007 Speaker Dr. Jon Alterman, Director of and Senior Fellow of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), reached influential audiences in his program in Helsinki.
Amy Hyatt Welcomes 2007-2008 American Fulbright Grantees to Finland
August 29, 2007 Chargé Amy Hyatt, along with the Embassy's Public Affairs Section and The Fulbright Center organized a reception in honor of the 2007-2008 American Fulbright Students, Scholars, Lecturers and Teacher Exchange Program participants.
Ambassador Ware Attends the America Days in Pori
August 17, 2007 The America Days celebration, held August 17-19 in Pori, Finland drew an estimated 800 people to the opening festivities which featured speeches by the Mayor of Pori, U.S. Ambassador Marilyn Ware, and the Chairman of the League of Finnish-American Societies, as well as cultural entertainment highlighting the U.S.
Ambassador Ware Hosts Youth for Understanding (YFU) Finland-U.S. Senate Youth Exchange Program Participants
August 10, 2007 A group of thirteen 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.
Expert on Preventing Alcohol Abuse Meets with Ambassador Ware
July 26, 2007 Stephen Wing, Associate Administrator for Alcohol Policy at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) visited the Embassy to brief Ambassador Ware on efforts to reduce underage drinking in the United States.
Ambassador Ware Visits Michael Quarshie American Football Camp
July 6, 2007 Ambassador Ware visited Michael Quarshie at his American Football Camp at Finnair Stadium in Helsinki.
U.S. Embassy in Helsinki Celebrates the 231st Independence Day of the United States
July 4, 2007 Ambassador Marilyn Ware hosted approximately 1,400 guests at this year's Independence Day celebration, held at Finlandia Hall in downtown Helsinki.
Singing Strings Chamber Orchestra Performs in Finland
July 2007 The Singing Strings Chamber Orchestra from Evergreen School of Performing Arts, Minneapolis, Minnesota, toured in Finland with their director Helina Pakola and co-director Hilpi Leino-Kantola.
Ambassador Ware Welcomes Arizona State University Delegation to Finland
June 15, 2007 Ambassador Ware welcomed a delegation of Arizona State University administrators and professors to Finland.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Tours Finnish Nuclear Facilities
June 13, 2007 During a three day visit to Finland beginning on June 13th, Chairman Dale Klein and a delegation from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) toured several Finnish nuclear facilities and met with industry and government officials.
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao Visits Finland June 12-15
June 12-15, 2007 U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao's program in Finland on Thursday, June 14, included a meeting with Finance Minister Jyrki Katainen.
Secretary Condoleezza Rice Welcomes Finnish Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva to the State Department
June 11, 2007 Secretary Rice and Foreign Minister Kanerva held a warm and productive discussion that focused on the key areas of ongoing cooperation between our two governments.
Ambassador Ware Meets with Arizona State University Officials to Discuss Their Finland Visit
June 9, 2007 Ambassador Ware traveled to Arizona State University (ASU) to meet with its leadership and discuss Finland’s potential for ASU as a market for educational partnerships and exchanges.
Ambassador Ware Promotes U.S.-Finnish Economic and Commercial Relations in the U.S.
May 2007 Ambassador Ware is in the United States on a U.S.-Nordic Commercial Tour where she is promoting, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S.-Finnish economic and commercial relations.
USNS Henson Visits City of Turku
May 28-31, 2007 The USNS Henson is one of the seven Oceanographic Survey Ships that are part of the 23 ships in Military Sealift Command's Special Mission Ships Program.
Vartiokylä School Visits Embassy
May 25, 2007 A group of twenty-five students and their teachers from Vartiokylä Junior High School were hosted by the U.S. Embassy.
Deputy Chief of Mission Amy Hyatt Visits Jakobstad/Pietarsaari
May 23-24, 2007 Ms. Hyatt visited Jakobstad/Pietarsaari. She gave a presentation about her life as a diplomat to 200 students at Jakobstad Gymnasium, the school of Sara Lillvik, a Rotary Club exchange student she met in her home town in the United States.
U.S. Embassy Celebrates the 13,000th YFU Finland Exchange Student
May 22, 2007 The Public Affairs Section hosted a reception in honor of Ms. Laia Ilkka, the 13,000th YFU exchange student going to the U.S. for her exchange.
Dr. John Devens Visits Finland
May 18-19, 2007 Dr. John Devens, Executive Director, Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council traveled to Finland.
Ambassador Ware visits City of Lahti
May 15, 2007 Ambassador Ware visited Lahti to present an “America at Your Library” book collection to Lahti City and Regional Library.
Embassy Officer Visits the City of Jyväskylä
May 10-11,2007 During his second visit to the region this year, Economic Officer Glenn Lewis gave a presentation to business professionals during the Jyväskylä Regional Development Organization’s (Jykes) International Week.
NATO Orientation Tour, Special Emphasis on the Balkans
May 10, 2007 Ambassador Marilyn Ware lead a group of Finnish women on a NATO orientation tour May 7-10, which took the travelers first to NATO headquarters in Brussels.
U.S. Embassy Hosts ‘American Nationality Night’ for Helsinki University of Technology Students
May 4, 2007 The U.S. Embassy hosted an ‘American Nationality Night’ for Finnish and international students from the International Business Linkage program at the Helsinki University of Technology.
U.S. Embassy Supports Night of American Music
May 4, 2007 U.S. conductor David Searle and composer Alex Freeman, together with Helsinki University's Academic Sinfonietta Orchestra, presented a concert featuring American music to full houses in Helsinki (May 4) and Tampere (May 6).
Ambassador Ware Visits Helsinki’s World Trade Center
May 3, 2007 Ambassador Ware was invited to address Helsinki’s World Trade Center members on the subject of ‘U.S.-Finnish Trade Ties: Prospects for the Future’.
Ten from Embassy Participate in Helsinki City Run
May 1, 2007 Ten runners from the Embassy participated in the annual Helsinki City Run. The group consisted of six women and four men, including the Deputy Chief of Mission, and spanned across half of the event’s age categories.
U.S. Embassy Announces Earth Day Art Contest Winners
April 29, 2007 To commemorate the 37th observance of Earth Day on April 22, 2007, and to draw attention to our common concern about the environment, the U.S. Embassy Helsinki invited GLOBE schools in Finland to participate in an art contest in honor of Earth Day.
Students from Sammon keskuslukio Visit the Embassy and ARC
April 27, 2007 High school students from Sammon keskuslukio, Tampere, visited the U.S. Embassy.
Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva Visits the U.S. Embassy
April 26, 2007 Finland’s Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva visited the Embassy along with a group of senior Finnish businessmen and government officials.
Consul Pirkko Urli Briefs Turku Chamber of Commerce on Visa Issues
April 23, 2007 Consul Pirkko Urli briefed members of the Turku Chamber of Commerce on U.S. visa and passport regulations.
U.S. Embassy Briefs Police Officers From Finnish Police Academy in Espoo
April 19, 2007 Assistant Regional Security Officer Nick Echenique, Political Officer David Schlaefer and Public Affairs Officer Chad Peterson gave a briefing to 25 police officers from the Finnish Police Academy in Espoo.
The U.S. Embassy Helsinki Residence Featured in INNO Program
April 18, 2007 INNO (a Finnish interior design show) will be profiling Ambassador Ware’s residence on Nelonen (Channel 4) on Wednesday, April 18 at 19:00. (Rerun on Sunday, April 22 at 10:00)
Management Counselor Ted Plosser Meets Team USA at 2007 World U18 Championship in Finland
April 12-13, 2007 Management Counselor Ted Plosser represented the US Embassy at the 2007 World U18 Championships in Rauma.
Ambassador Ware Hosts President Tarja Halonen
March 27, 2007 Ambassador Ware hosted the President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen for lunch at her residence.
Political Section Chief Greg Thome Meets with Students from Etelä-Tapiolan Lukio
March 27, 2007 Political Section Chief Greg Thome discussed US-Finnish and US-European relations with students Eva Kiviranta, Marianne Halmela, and Saara Manninen, who attend the Etelä-Tapiolan Lukio and their history teacher, Katri Hiltula.
Ambassador Ware Hosts Editors of Women's Magazines
March 26, 2007 Ambassador Marilyn Ware hosted a luncheon for editors-in-chief of Finnish women's magazines, to honor the National Women's History Month.
Ambassador Ware Celebrates a Successful Student Exchange Program in Turku
March 23, 2007 To celebrate the 30th anniversary of American-Finnish student exchange arrangement between the city of Turku, Turun Palloseura (TPS), Lahjan Tytöt, and Upland Country Day School in Kennett Square, PA, Ambassador Ware attended a ceremony in Turku.
Ambassador Ware Speaks at the City of Oulu Global Clusters Program
March 21, 2007 Ambassador Ware traveled to the northern city of Oulu to deliver remarks at an introductory seminar of the “Oulu Inspires” Global Clusters, a program specifically designed for high tech companies in Oulu targeting a global market presence.
Web-Chat on U.S. Visa and Entry Processes for Students with Vice Consul Tim Eydelnant
March 16, 2007 Vice Consul Tim Eydelnant hosted a web-chat on “Visa and Education Issues for Visiting Finns: Demystifying the U.S. Visa and Entry Process for Students”.
Ambassador Ware Visits Oulu
February 27, 2007 Ambassador Ware ventured north from Helsinki to the City of Oulu February 27 and was received as an official guest by City Council Chairman Matti Pikkarainen and Mayor Matti Pennanen.
Ambassador Ware Visits Vaasa
February 15-16, 2007 Ambassador Marilyn Ware met with government, business, and education leaders during her first trip to the western coast city of Vaasa.
Ambassador Ware Addresses Finnish Business and Policy Forum EVA
February 14, 2007 Ambassador Ware started Friendship Day at breakfast with the Finnish Business and Policy Forum (EVA), Finland’s leading independent economic policy think-tank.
DoD Official Peter Verga Debunks Rumors, Admires Finnish Maritime Management
February 13, 2007 Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense Peter Verga met with Finnish naval, border guard and maritime traffic management personnel during his visit to Helsinki.
Ambassador Ware and Pol Chief Greg Thome Visit Joensuu
February 6-7, 2007 Ambassador Ware and Political Section Chief Greg Thome visited Joensuu. They participated in a round table with the North Karelia Chamber of Commerce and a lunch with City of Joensuu officials.
Ambassador Ware Visits Tampere
January 23-24, 2007 Ambassador Marilyn Ware visited Tampere on January 23-24.
Ambassador Ware Invites Harlem Spirituals to Residence
January 19, 2007 Ambassador Ware and Embassy staff welcomed the Harlem Spirituals to the Residence.
Ambassador Ware Opens the Discover American Pavilion at Matka-Travel 2007
January 18, 2007 Ambassador Marilyn Ware opened the Discover America Pavilion at Matka-Travel 2007.
Ambassador Ware addresses 300 students at the Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu
January 17, 2007 Ambassador Marilyn Ware addressed over 300 students at the Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu (Helsinki’s Finnish General School).
The U.S. and Finland Celebrate the Success of the High Level Dialogue on Climate Change, Clean Energy and Sustainable Development
January 12, 2007 Ambassador Marilyn Ware hosted senior officials from three Finnish government ministries.
President Halonen Signs Condolence Book For Former U.S. President Gerald R. Ford at U.S. Embassy
January 4, 2007 President Halonen visited the U.S. Embassy to sign the condolence book for former U.S. President Gerald R. Ford.
Helsinki Public Affairs Section Co-Hosts American Studies Seminar Together with the Association of English Teachers in Finland
January, 2007 PAS Helsinki sponsored and co-hosted an annual American Studies Seminar on USA: Diversity in Action in Turku. Guest speakers included American Fulbright Scholars and Teachers.