SFP in Espoo Launches Multicultural Committee for Increased Integration in Politics

The Swedish People’s Party (SFP) in Espoo has established a multicultural committee with the goal of engaging immigrants and people whose native language is neither Finnish nor Swedish in political work, both locally and nationally. The committee, led by Joni AlWindi, will serve as a platform to create dialogue and increase understanding between different social groups, while also encouraging more people with immigrant backgrounds to participate in the democratic process, either by joining the societal debate or even running as candidates in future elections.

Espoo is a multicultural city where approximately 23.6% of the population has a mother tongue other than Finnish or Swedish. In 2023, the number of residents with a language other than Finnish or Swedish was about 67,000. This number is expected to rise to over 140,000 by 2040.

The purpose of the committee is to highlight issues that are important to Espoo’s diverse population and promote an integrated political environment where everyone’s voice is heard. Through this initiative, SFP aims to create opportunities for meaningful participation and increase residents’ ability to influence the decisions that affect them.

“There is a lack of a solution-oriented approach in Finnish politics regarding integration. With the multicultural committee, we are clarifying SFP’s policy, but primarily, we are creating a platform to address issues related to integration and what makes it successful. Our first step is to actively participate in the upcoming elections, but we also have more long-term plans where, internally within SFP in Espoo’s multicultural committee, we will proactively work on integration issues with a solution-oriented approach.” – Joni AlWindi.

The multicultural committee represents a step toward a more representative and integrated democracy, where different perspectives are valued and respected.

Bild: Pixabay/Bob Dmyt