The Notion of  "UusSuomalainen"  or "NEW Finns evolved out of an identity crisis. I believe that the term was born out of an attempted means to catogorized second and third generation emmigrants; especially those who are born in Finland. There was and is also an alternative desire to label many immigrants, who have acquire Finnish citizenship.
 

I personally find the term "UusSuomalinen"inappropriate because it posses a Juxtaposition of "NEW" Finnis against "OLD" Finns. I find this to be an ironic tendency, because there is no such thing or phenomenon as "UusSuomalainen" This is a blunt misconception and a misleading inclination,
 

It is an erroneous concept. The term "UssSuomalainen"  triggers a legitimate concern as to who should be classified as one or the other?

How should children of mix-mirrages [trans cultural offsprings] or inter-ethnic  and inter cultural background be classifie, if they are not naturally Finnish Citizens?

IMO.  the tendency to refer to oneself as  or being referred as a " NEW" Finn is a supposition and prolongation of the divisive sociological class concept of "we and them" as well as an enforcement of the"othering" concept in race relationship and class and Identity.
 

The term or concept "UusSuomalainen" has no definitive linguistic translationthat makes logical sence; however the understanding is inexplicable to me.

I believe and suggest that the term be scraped and abandoned and avoided from use in the media because it has the propensity to be used negatively by right wing extremist. It could be just as much dangerious as the other deragatory anti immigration and associative terminologies that have been used hitherto…

The African Civil Society Ry was created and formed in 2005. In the course of the last five  years we have ENDEAVOURED TO FORM AND SOLIDIFY our SOLIDARITY in creating a strong alliance with African immigrant organisation AND  in Finland.

Together as an African Umbrella body United in on a SOLID BRIDGE of solidarity, we celebrated AFRICAN UNION DAY on May 25, 2010.
We still endeavour to utilize our unique position of STRENGTH in facilöating a COMPARATIVE edge for advantage by empowering our innterrelationships.

We realize our position of strength undoubtedly; and we  capatilize upon the wealth of opportunities around US in our host environments and COMMUNITIES.

Thus, by utilizing our UNIQUE Social Capital to Maximize benefits, WE can definitely influence a CHANGE MECHANISMS in decisions making policies of society effectively with synergy for greater efficiency.

The African Civil Society in Finland intends to ACTIVELY engage grass root community forces with a philosophy of empowering to EMPOWER…

The AIM of the AFRICAN CIVIL SOCIETY IN FINLAND are as follows:

1. FINDING A WAY FORWARD

2. ADOPTING A STRATEGY IN SECURING DECENT JOBS AND DECENT PAY FOR AFRICANS
1
3. ENACTING A PROACTIVE PLATFORM FOR ENGAGEMENT AND DIALOGUE

4. ADOPTING AN ADVOCACY FOR DECENT TREATMENT AND APPROPRIATE RECOGNITION OF OUR CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY

We intend to bring ALL Africans association "TOGETHER" to a "TABLE" and ADDRESS our COMMON Problems of concern.

Hyvä Ystävämme!

Olette saanneet tämän kutsun viiden vuoden vuosijuhla African Voices
seminaariin 8.- 9.10.2010 kansainvälisessa kulttuurikeskus CAISA
osoiteessa  Mikonkatu 17 C.

Tämän vuoden seminaarin teemana on "ACHIEVEMENTS AND RECOGNITION OF
AFRICANS AND FRIENDS OF AFRICA IN FINLAND".

Lämpimästi tervetuloa ACSF ry:n järjestämän AFRICAN VOICES DAY sosiaaliseen
ja kulttuurin tunnustukseen sekä saavuutukseen seminaariin 08 - 09.10 2010
klo. 09.00 - 16.00

Kutsu on Teille henkilökohtainen. Tilaisuus on tarkoitettu sekä ACSF ry:n
toiminnassa mukaana oleville että AFRIKAN ystäville ja ACSF ry:n
sidosryhmille (kaikkille kansalaisjärjestoille).

Seminaari pidetään kulttuurinkeskuksessa CAISA juhlasalissa, osoitteessa
Mikkonkatu 17 C.

Seminaarin teemana "Achievements and Recognition of
Africans and Friends of Africa in Finland".

Lisätietoja seminaaresta löytyy järjeston kotisivusta:
http://www.acsfinland.com
__________________________________________________________________________

Dear Friends!

The African Civil Society Ry in Finland is pleased to request the honor of
your presence and participation at our Five Years Anniversary of African
Voices Day in Finland commemorating Five years of socio-political and
cultural achievements with recognition of Africans and Friends of Africa in
the Finnish Diaspora.

The theme of the seminar is: ACHIEVEMENT AND RECOGNITION OF AFRICANS AND
FRIENDS OF AFRICA IN FINLAND.

The address of the seminar event is: International Cultural Centre CAISA,
Mikkonkatu 17 C, 00100 HELSINKI.

For more information and seminar details, please go to our website:
http://www.acsfinland.com

http://www.alueportaali.net/index.htmlTHE AFRICAN CIVIL SOCIETY OF FINLAND a.k.a. ACSF RY is glad to officially invite you to enjoy with us an event of French African ART FESTIVAL “Franco Afrique” (Täiteiden Yö).

The event takes place in the East of Helsinki  on the coming Friday August 27th in in the upstairs hall of the Multi-cultural activity center MELLARI

The EVENT is scheduled for the whole day for Families with Children, young adults, youth and arts enthusiasts.

The festival is in collaboration and partnership with the Helsinki City Cultural production Unit and is part of a series of cultural events marking the celebration French Autumn in Helsinki in the wake of Arts Night in the Helsinki metropolitan region.

Event Address: Korvatunturintie 2, MELLUNMÄKI. FREE ENTRY!

More details and information on the program schedule is available at the link below:

http://www.alueportaali.net/tapahtumat/taiteiden_yona_27_8__mellarissa_monipuolinen_afrikka_-tapahtuma.html

WISHING YOU ALL A WARM WELCOME TO ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND SPECIAL!!!

http://www.alueportaali.net/index.html

http://www.alueportaali.net/tapahtumat/taiteiden_yona_27_8__mellarissa_monipuolinen_afrikka_-tapahtuma.html

FRANCO AFRIQUÈ  ILTÄ Itä Helsingin Mellarissa,  Perjantaina 27.8. 2010

The African Civil Society in Finland warmly invites all multicultural enthusiasts and Friends of Immigrants to an ALL African Arts Evening on the 27th of August in the East of Helsinki. 

ADRESS: Korvatunturintie 2

http://www.alueportaali.net/tapahtumat/taiteiden_yona_27_8__mellarissa_monipuolinen_afrikka_-tapahtuma.html

POETIC ENLIGHTENMENT AND THE AFRICAN POT CHAT SESSION

Afrikkalainen Pot on afrikkalaisen keittiön gastronominen maku. Se sisältää kuumia makuelämyksiä afrikkalaisista ruuista ja leivonnaisista eri maista. Klo 17.00 alkaen (2 – 8 eur)

TERVETULOA!

This is a direct engagement to the Leadership and membership of of All African Civic Society Organisations operating in Finland and the network and clusters of Friends of Africa.

New times are ahead and and A new era of Challenges is bestowed upon us all…

As Peoples from various walks of life in our quest to reduce poverty and striving for equal opportunities, socio-political participation with a cultural impact We must now "Carpe Diem" and forge ahead our collective Concerns to make an imprint in terms of our representation and appreciation of the contributions that we make to society.

In this regard, I call on ALL Africans, African associations in Finland as well as the the many Friends of AFRICA to join in on the band wagon to establishing a strategic Alliance for Unity and Cooperation with the African Civil Society Society, in an honest effort of collaborate and bridge the gap of social
disparity.

Our intent at ACSF ry is to ascertain and engage every African and Friend of Africa into an active dialogue of Cultural Diversity Management for Social participation and democratic empowerment.

Many Generations before US have pioneered many attempted trial and failure, but evidently succeeded in making significant cultural imprint on the social evolution of the African Diaspora in Finland.

The African Diaspora has significantly influenced the structural make-up of the European integration process, which is embedded in the logic of a Common Human Denominator (CHD) dwelling on the social environment of Society (both in main streams and Immigrant circles alike).

It is with this beacon of "HOPE" that I must convincingly say that there is a beam of light at the end of the tunnel.

Hence, as representative of a Continent hitherto regarded as a criddle of civilization and as we exhibit a mission of Cultural Ambassadorship in Europe, the African Diaspora Movement under the banner of the African Civil Society in Finland have endeavor to achieve the following PROGRAM of ACTION for 2010:

- African Union Day (formerly African Liberation Day) marked a thematic seminar event incorporating series of activities profiling the socio-economic and political developments of  African independence and Nation building from the genesis of of the Formation of Liberia (1847)into the exodus of the Independence of Ghana(1957), the the threshold of Namibia (1990) and the Liberation of South Africa from the ignoble regime of Apartheid.

The African Union Day was climax with celebrations of AFRICA`s as a continent on the threshold of the twenty first Century on May 25 2010.

- African Civil Societies Strategic Alliances Week is a program for seminars and network mobilization to rejuvenate the activities of African Civic Society Associations.

The final goal,objective and focus of the 2010 African Civic initiative is to pave the way for the establishment of an African Research and cultural Center in Finland.

- Diaspora Achievement And Recognition Week is a week of Action documenting both individual(s)and/or group(s)achievements of Africans and persons or people of African descent in the Finnish Diaspora.

- Africa & Europe Week is a thematic week long program on African Integration in Europe. The event will focus on success stories, challenges and lessons learnt along the torturous path through out the integration processes.

We at ACSF ry believe that these initiatives would definitely  add value and competitive edge for securing funds from the municipality of Helsinki.

Furthermore, I find them constructive in my views in accordance with our overall objectives and purposes here at the African Civil Society ry in Finland.

In view of the above, and as we work concomitantly with the MONIHELI immigrant network; I would also like to advise everyone from Grass roots to Executive Committees as well as independent state institutions to ponder on the golden opportunity and "seize the day" in establishing a strategic
alliance with all progressive minded and tolerance oriented organizations to join in on the band wagon of African Civil Society in promoting OUR collective organizational umbrella agenda.

The formulation of the afore mentioned program initiatives for 2010 is naturally evolutionary in consideration of the fact that I am not only a member of the African Diaspora
Movement, and an Executive of the African Civil Society in Finland; but also a pioneer and founding member of the Finnish- Liberian Friendship Association (FILIFA- SULIS ry).

Finally, I would like to suggest that every African Association take into account and consider the possibility for active  participation in the implementation of the above plans and  programs of action in accordance with competence, commitment, know-how and social capital resources.

http://www.ciaris.org/workspace_files/588/Global_South_Development_Magazine_March_2010.pdf

http://www.ciaris.org/workspace_files/588/Global_South_Development_Magazine_March_2010.pdf

The Finnish- Liberian Friendship Association (SULIS- FILIFA Ry) celebrated The Republic of Liberia`s 163rd independece day on Saturday July 24th.

Liberia declared itself independent on July 26th 1847, becoming Africa`s first modern independent Republic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQhlc1_AOQM