Embassy of the United States

Ambassador Barrett presented the Legion of Merit
December 15, 2008 Ambassador Barrett had the privilege of presenting the Legion of Merit to Finnish Brigadier General Sakari Hankomaa on December 15, 2008.

Ambassador Barrett Hosts a Reception for Trans-Atlantic Educational Exchange
December 11, 2008 Anita Lehikoinen, Director at the Ministry of Education, delivered keynote remarks at the Dec 11, 2008 reception hosted by U.S. Ambassador Barbara Barrett in honor of trans-Atlantic exchange programs.

Ambassador Barrett Hosts a Roundtable Discussion
December 1, 2008 2008 Finnish Alumni of US universities gathered together for a seminar and roundtable discussion on "Prodigal Students: Examining the impact of study abroad for Finns" hosted by the U.S. Ambassador Barbara Barrett.

Ambassador Barrett visits Kuopio's Emergency Services College Training Area
November 19, 2008 In Kuopio snow greeted Ambassador Barrett as she met with firefighters. She talked with students, surveyed training exercises, explored the College offerings and checked out the North Savo Emergency Response Center and Regional Emergency Services.

Billy Siegenfeld Takes Jump Rhythm Technique to National Opera’s Ballet School
November 11, 2008 Billy Siegenfeld, the founder and Artistic Director of Jump Rhythm Jazz Project, gave a workshop performance to the students of National Opera’s Ballet School and Theater Academy’s Dance Department in Helsinki.

Ambassador Barrett Opens Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Conference
November 10, 2008 Speaking to an audience of approximately 50 Customs officials, right holders and industry representatives, Ambassador Barbara Barrett opened National Board of Customs (NBC) 3-day IPR Conference at the Customs School on November 10, together with NBC Director General Tapani Erling.

Ambassador Barrett hosted Finnish women leaders
November 8, 2008 On November 8, 2008 Ambassador Barrett hosted Finnish women leaders from all sectors including government, business and culture for a working dinner celebrating women’s leadership.

AmCham Finland hosted an U.S. Election Watch on November 6, 2008.
November 6, 2008 Ambassador Barrett was joined by Finnish President Tarja Halonen and Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb at the Election Watch hosted by AmCham.

Ambassador Barrett gives a presentation at the German School
November 6, 2008 Ambassador Barrett visited Deutsche Schule in Helsinki on November 6. She gave a lively presentation on the American West informing the students about the National Park Service and national parks in the western states of the U.S.

The Outcome of the U.S. Elections Inspired Finns
November 5, 2008 A panel discussion on the outcome of the U.S. elections attracted a full house to the American Resource Center on November 5.

Embassy Management Counselor Ted Plosser speaks about U.S. Elections in Hyvinkaa
November 4, 2008 Nov. 4, 2008 Embassy Managemant Conselor Ted Plosser hosted an hour long question and answer session on U.S. Elections at Hyvinkaan Sveitsin Lukio (high school).

Discover America Seminar, Helsinki
October 23, 2008 Commercial Service (CS) Helsinki hosted, in cooperation with the Discover America Committee Finland, a highly successful Discover America Seminar for the 19th time in Helsinki, Finland, on October 23, 2008.

Alumni of Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences Visit the U.S. Embassy
October 21, 2008 A group of Alumni from the Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences visited the U.S. Embassy on October 21 to hear about Embassy operations.

Ambassador Barrett Hosted a Women’s Empowerment Dinner
October 20, 2008 Ambassador Barrett hosted a women’s empowerment dinner with special guest Ambassador Shirin Tahir-Kheli, Senior Adviser for women’s empowerment to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on October 20, 2008.

Ambassador Barrett visits Porvoo
October 20, 2008 Ambassador Barbara Barrett paid an official visit to Porvoo on October 20th. Hosted by Mayor Marcus Henricson, the Ambassador began the day with on-site briefings at local companies.

Ambassador Barrett speaks at the University of Turku
October 18, 2008 U.S. Ambassador Barbara Barrett spoke at the 16th American Voices Seminar, held at the University of Turku on October 18th 2008.

Ambassador Barrett visits Rauma
October 17, 2008 U.S. Ambassador Barbara Barrett paid an official visit to Rauma on Oct 17th. Highlights of her visit included meeting Rauma's City Chairman Eero Laine and Deputy Mayor Tomi Suvanto while voting was underway at City Hall, and discussing operations with seaport operator Stevedoring and Europe's most innovative faucet manufacturer Oras Oy.

Ambassador Barrett Opens Full House –exhibition at Kiasma
October 16, 2008 Speaking to an audience of approximately 200, Ambassador Barrett officially opened the Full House – the Kouri Collection and American Minimalist Adventure -exhibition at Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art on October 16.

Ambassador Barrett visits the National Library of Finland
October 10, 2008 Ambassador Barbara Barrett and Public Affairs Officer Nicole Conn visited the National Library on October 10th, 2008. Library Director Kai Ekholm showed the Ambassador around the library introducing its premises, history, and collections.

Dr. David Schultz discusses the U.S. elections
October 8-14, 2008 Dr. David Schultz, professor of political science at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, came to Finland October 8-14, 2008, for a program of discussions about the U.S. elections.

Ambassador Barbara Barrett speaks at Helsinki University
October 10, 2008 Ambassador Barbara Barrett spoke to Helsinki University students and others on Oct. 10 about U.S. elections. Her speech title was "Running for Public Office in the United States: One Candidate's Experience".

DCM Butler talks about U.S. Elections
October 7, 2008 Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Butler delivered a presentation on U.S. Elections on Tuesday, October 7. The event hosted by Helsinki Finnish-American Society was held in the International Cultural Center Caisa.

Marketing Director of the New York Philharmonic Talks about Branding Orchestras
September 24-27, 2008 David Snead, Marketing Director of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra together with Kate Prescott of Prescott Associates talked about how to create a brand for a philharmonic orchestra.

Four American Muslim Citizens Talk About Muslim Life in America
September 15-16, 2008 Four American Muslim citizens, Imam Talal Y. Eid, Mr. Khaled Paymozd, Ms. Hiba Arshad, and Ms. Nausheen Hassan, visited Finland September 15-16 as part of the U.S. State Department’s Citizen Dialogue program.

Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Butler Visits Tampere and Turku
September 11-12, 2008 Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Butler visited Tampere on September 11. On September 12 he delivered a speech on U.S. Elections at the University of Turku and visited Turun Sanomat.

Daniel Gilbert Draws an Enthusiastic Audience in Tampere, Finland
September 9, 2008 Daniel Gilbert - former President of Eureka College, Senior Advisor to the U.S. Department of Education, and Advisor to President Ronald Reagan – gave a rousing lecture at the University of Tampere.

Ambassador Schulte interviewed in YLE Breakfast TV
September 8, 2008 Ambassador Greg Schulte, the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations Office in Vienna, was interviewed on YLE’s popular Breakfast TV as a part of his visit to Finland.

American klezmer band the Klezmatics play Woody Guthrie
August 27, 2008 The Klezmatics, superstars of the American klezmer world, played to a full house at the Party Tent as part of the Helsinki Festival.

Fulbright Reception at the US Embassy Helsinki
August 27, 2008 The US Ambassador to Finland Barbara Barrett hosted a Reception for the 2008-2009 American Fulbright grantees on August 27, 2008.

Ambassador Barrett visits Jyväskylä
August 26, 2008 Ambassador Barbara Barrett visited Jyväskylä. Her program included a meeting with Mayor Markku Andersson, Chair of the city board Veijo Koskinen, and Vicerector of Jyväskylä University Matti Leino.

“Georgia must be whole and free”
August 26, 2008 Mr. Gary Robbins, Director for European Security and Political Affairs at the U.S. State Department, briefed Finnish journalists at the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki on Tuesday morning, August 26.

Honoring Afghanistan
August 19, 2008 An Honoring Afghanistan Reception was held in the US Embassy Helsinki on Tuesday, August 19.

Ambassador Barrett Meets YFU Finland – U.S. Senate Youth Exchange Program 2008
August 15, 2008 This year’s Youth for Understanding Finland – U.S. Senate Youth Exchange Program 2008 group visited the Embassy on Friday, August 15 to meet the Ambassador and to hear briefings by Embassy Officials on how an American Embassy works.

Ambassador Barrett visits Åland Islands
August 11, 2008 Ambassador Barrett visited the Åland Islands on August 11th. In meetings the Ambassador was introduced to the unique government of Åland based on the Act on the Autonomy of Åland and international treaties. Also a donation of over one hundred books was given to the Mariehamn city library.

Professor Lineberry Talks About U.S. Presidential Campaign
August 7, 2008. Professor Robert Lineberry from the University of Houston spoke to a Finnish audience Thursday, August 7 on current issues in the U.S. presidential campaign. Professor Lineberry ’s presentation took place at the US Embassy Helsinki's American Resource Center.

American Artist Xavier Cortada Talked About Eco-Art
July 8, 2008 American Artist Xavier Cortada visited the U.S. Embassy and gave a presentation on eco-art. The emphasis in eco-art is on collaboration across disciplines - artist to scientist to public official and beyond.

Ambassador Barrett Participates in YFU Event
July 4, 2008 Ambassador Barbara Barrett participated in Youth For Understanding event at Sanomatalo, Helsinki on Friday 4th of July when the United States of America celebrated Independence Day.

Political Officer Lisa Conesa Attends the Somali National Day Reception
June 30, 2008. Political Officer Lisa Conesa attended the Somali National Day Reception at Cultural Center Caisa in Helsinki. The reception celebrated the 48th anniversary of the independence of the Somali Republic.

Ambassador Barrett Meets with Youth for Understanding Students
June 27, 2008. Ambassador Barbara Barrett welcomed Finnish Youth for Understanding exchange students to the Embassy's Consular, where the students were applying for their visas to America. The students will be attending their junior high school years at public high schools throughout the United States, and will reside with American families.

U.S. Embassy celebrates the 232nd Independence Day of the United States
June 18, 2008. Ambassador Barbara Barrett hosted well over one thousand Finnish and international guests at the U.S. independence Day celebration held on June 18. In her remarks, Ambassador Barrett said the celebration was “for every independent nation that today enjoys liberty, freedom and hope.”

Ambassador Barrett Visits Mikkeli
June 16, 2008. Ambassador Barbara Barrett visited Mikkeli on June 16. Her program included meetings with Governor of the Province of Eastern Finland Pirjo Ala-Kapee, Mayor Kimmo Mikander, and Lieutenant General Ilkka Aspara and Major General Mika Peltonen.

APAO Kim Hargan Visits Midnight Sun Film Festival in Sodankylä
June 14, 2008. APAO Kim Hargan visited the 23rd Midnight Sun Film Festival in Sodankylä, Lapland, which took place on June 11-15, 2008. The film festival, which attracted a record number of guests this year, featured works by American movie directors Milos Forman and John Cassavetes.

Millennium Technology Prize Winner 2008 visited the U.S. Embassy
June 12, 2008 Millennium Technology Prize Winner 2008 Professor Robert Langer visited Ambassador Barbara Barrett at the U.S. Embassy Helsinki June 12, 2008. Robert Langer has developed innovative biomaterials for controlled drug release and tissue regeneration.

Ambassador Barrett Visits Turku
June 10-11, 2008. Ambassador Barbara Barrett met with Mayor Mikko Pukkinen, and Rector Keijo Virtanen, the University of Turku. She visited at Turun Sanomat, BioCity Turku, and Aker Yards where she had a tour on the board of Oasis of the Seas which will be the biggest cruise ship in the world when launched in 2009.

America@Your Library Book Donation to Kanta-Häme Regional Library
June 4, 2008. Information Resource Officer Cynthia Borys from Washington DC visited the City of Hämeenlinna to present the America@YourLibrary book donation to the Kanta-Häme regional library on behalf of the American Embassy in Finland on June 4, 2008.

Tampere Hosts Ambassador Barrett
June 2, 2008 Ambassador Barbara Barrett, who presented her credentials to President Halonen on May 23, visited Tampere for her first official visit outside of Helsinki.

Embassy Science Fellow to Research Biofuels in Finland
June 2008 Dr. Alan Rudie from the U.S. Forest Service will spend six weeks in Finland as an Embassy Science Fellow researching emerging wood-based biofuel technology.

Embassy Officer Visited the Salpakangas School in Hollola
May 28, 2008 Embassy Officer Glenn Lewis spoke to approximately 50 students during a visit to the Salpakangas School in Hollola on May 28th.

Ambassador Barbara M. Barrett
May 23, 2008 U.S. Ambassador Barbara M. Barrett presented her credentials to Finnish President Tarja Halonen.

High Tech Visit By Ambassador David Gross
May 22-25, 2008. Ambassador David Gross, United States Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy at the U.S. Department of State visited Finland to meet with government and industry officials.

UCLA Professors Discussed Special Effects in Architecture in Helsinki
May 21, 2008. Four professors from the UCLA School of Architecture and Urban Design participated in the “Special Effects” seminar at the University of Art and Design in Helsinki as part of the Masters of Arts 2008 Festival. This architectural seminar discussed creative use of cutting edge technology to produce new architectural effects.

American Nationality Night hosted by the American Embassy
May 21, 2008. A group of 20 International Business Linkage Program students from the Helsinki University of Technology held an American Nationality Night in the Embassy.

Vantaa Language Teachers Visited the American Embassy
May 16, 2008. A group of 31 language teachers from Vantaa schools visited the American Embassy to receive a briefing about the Embassy’s operations, and learn more about the U.S. Foreign Service.

Finland Announces It Will Join the Methane to Markets Partnership
May 15, 2008 Finland announced its intentions to join the Methane to Markets Partnership (M2M), an international initiative that advances cost-effective, near-term methane recovery and use as a clean energy source. This announcement coincided with a visit by Dina Kruger, Director of the Climate Change Division at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Consular Officer Briefs Helsinki Rotary Club Members on U.S. Elections
May 12, 2008. Christopher Ashe of the Embassy's Consular Section provided a presentation on the 2008 American Federal electoral process to members of the Helsinki Rotary Club.

APAO Hargan Opens Cartes Flux3 Festival at WeeGee
May 6, 2008 APAO Kim Hargan opened the Cartes Flux3 festival of new media art at WeeGee in Espoo. The festival (May 6-18) features artworks that are either fully digitally modeled or the audiovisual material has been treated in a mean that would not have been possible without digital means.

James Phillips Visits Finland
May 5-8, 2008 James Phillips is the Senior Research Fellow for Middle Eastern Affairs at the Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies at The Heritage Foundation. He has written extensively on Middle Eastern issues and international terrorism since 1978.

Chargé d’Affaires Hyatt Attends Opening of the Maple Leaf and Eagle Conference
May 5, 2008 Chargé d’Affaires Amy Hyatt attended the opening of the Maple Leaf and Eagle conference at the University of Helsinki. The conference (May 5-8) is the 12th Maple Leaf and Eagle conference hosted by the Helsinki North American Studies Program. This year’s theme is “North America – Relations and Relationships”.

Recycled Art Competition
April 23, 2008. Kaitaan koulu from Espoo has won the art competition for Finnish 9th graders to create a work of art using recycled materials with their piece “Alaska”; the theme of the art piece is U.S. National Parks.

Earth Day Celebrated in Finland
April 22, 2008 To celebrate Earth Day, Embassy Helsinki organized a clean up of Helsinki's oldest park, Kaivopuisto Park. The event was a huge success, drawing over 40 people from the Embassy and diplomats from the Embassies of Bulgaria, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, and Ukraine.

U.S. Embassy Hosted an Award Ceremony for Essay Contest Winners
April 21, 2008 Assistant Public Affairs Officer Kim Hargan 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.

U.S. Elections Interest Students at the German School
March 28, 2008 Head of the Embassy’s Political Section Greg Thome gave a presentation on the Presidential Elections at Deutsche Schule in Helsinki on March 28.

Atlantic Council Youth Network Briefing
March 12, 2008 Mr. Greg Thome, head of the Embassy’s political section, briefed members of the Finnish Atlantic Council Youth Network on the upcoming NATO summit in Bucharest.

Embassy Officer Glenn Lewis Visits Kajaani and Kuopio
March 10-11, 2008 Economic Officer Glenn Lewis encouraged students at the Hauhola School in Kajaani to learn more about the United States by participating in the Embassy’s National Parks art contest.

International Women's Day Celebration
March 7, 2008 U.S. Ambassador to Finland Marilyn Ware hosted President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen and over 50 other distinguished guests March 7 for a celebration of International Women’s Day with a special focus on the women of Afghanistan.

Leon Sequeira at the Dialogue between Young American and Nordic Leaders
March 3, 2008 Leon Sequeira, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Policy, addresses a session of the seminar Managing Change in a Globalized Society - a Dialogue between Young American and Nordic Leaders.

Farah Pandith, Senior Advisor, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Speaks at U.S.-Nordic Young Leaders Seminar in Hanasaari
March 3, 2008 Farah Pandith, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, addressed the Hanasaari young U.S.-Nordic leaders seminar on Monday, March 3 on “How Can We Construct a Just, Stable and Safe Multicultural Society?”

Ambassador Hosted a Reception in Honor of American Designer Howard Smith
February 28, 2008 Ambassador Ware hosted a reception to honor the long and distinguished career of American Designer Howard Smith.

Progress in Afghanistan
February 28, 2008 Mr. Patrick Moon, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Afghanistan coordinator, U.S. Department of State, and Major General David Rodriguez, Commanding General CJTF-82 and ISAF, Regional Command-East/Afghanistan, briefed Finnish journalists on progress in Afghanistan.

Foreign Minister Kanerva Testifies Before the U.S. Helsinki Commission
February 13, 2008 Finland’s Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva testified before the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) at the U.S. Congress.

Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs Met with Secretary Rice
February 11, 2008 Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ilkka Kanerva met with Secretary Rice to discuss issues of OSCE, Kosovo, and Afghanistan in Washington.

Time for Action in Kosovo
February 7, 2008  Ambassador Marilyn Ware delivered a speech at the prestigious Suomalainen Klubi (Finnish Club), focusing on the situation of Kosovo.

Tervetuloa! - Welcome to the newly designed website of the Embassy of the United States of America in Helsinki, Finland!
February 7, 2008 In our efforts to better serve the Finnish audience our website has gone through a major transformation.

Hanasaari Dialogue Briefing
February 4, 2008 The Finnish media was briefed on an upcoming young Nordic and American leaders' conference to be organized in Hanasaari, Finland, March 1-8.

Embassy Officer Visits Vantaa School
February 4, 2008 Political Officer Greg Thome and Cultural Assistant Heidi Day visited Kytöpuisto Elementary School in Vantaa.

Record Audience for the Opening of Pixar - 20 Years of Animation Exhibition
January 29, 2008  Ambassador Ware opened Pixar - 20 Years of Animation exhibition at the Helsinki City Art Museum.

Deputy Chief of Mission Amy Hyatt Presents Book Donation to Satakunta Regional Library
January 28, 2008 Deputy Chief of Mission Amy Hyatt visited the City of Pori to present the America@YourLibrary book donation to the Pori Public Library – Satakunta Regional Library on behalf of the U.S. Embassy in Finland.

Finnish and South-Korean Teachers of English Get Deeper Knowledge of American Culture
January 26, 2008 Over 70 Finnish and South-Korean English teachers participated in an annual American Studies seminar sponsored by the U.S. Embassy Helsinki targeted for Finnish teachers of English.

U.S. Ambassador Marilyn Ware to Depart Finland
January 25, 2008  Today Ambassador Marilyn Ware announced she will leave her post effective March 28th. Upon her departure, Deputy Chief of Mission Amy Hyatt will assume the title of Chargé d’Affaires until Ambassador Ware’s successor arrives.

President Halonen Receives Arzu Rug
January 24, 2008  Ambassador Marilyn Ware met with President Tarja Halonen on January 24 to present her a rug made in Afghanistan by weavers of the Arzu program.

Vice President Dick Cheney and Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen Meet at the White House
January 15, 2008 Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, who is on a six-day visit in the U.S, met with Vice President Dick Cheney at the White House.

U.S. Congressman Alcee L. Hastings meets with Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva in Helsinki
January 7, 2008 Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) met in Helsinki with Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva to discuss the OSCE's international election observation mission for the presidential elections held in Georgia on January 5.