Education at a crossroads: Party leaders and economists to debate the future of education at Educa 2026
Educa, the leading education and training event in the Nordic countries, will bring together education professionals at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre on 23–24 January 2026. The programme will feature, among other highlights, a major values debate between party leaders as well as a panel of economists discussing whether education should be seen as an expense or as a necessary investment in human capital and economic growth (in Finnish). The event’s international programme will also be available to follow via live stream.
Educa 2026 will gather education professionals, researchers, decision-makers and societal influencers at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre to explore the future of education in Finland. The two-day programme places particular emphasis on promoting equality and diversity, improving wellbeing, strengthening collective responsibility, and advancing impactful pedagogy. The high-quality lecture programme, free of charge for attendees, has been curated by the Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ).
“Alongside learning, we are building the future of a communal, thriving and successful Finland. I am very much looking forward, for example, to the discussions between party leaders and economists on the value and significance of education, learning and teachers’ work,” says Katarina Murto, President of OAJ.
Highlights from the Educa 2026 programme
Educa’s extensive programme runs from morning to evening across multiple stages over the course of two days. Key highlights of the programme include:
Friday 23 January
12:00–12:40
Sisu in Education and Life: Explorations to Joyful Learning and Well-being
Speaker: Dr. Elisabet Lahti, MAPP, MSocSci
13:00–13:45
High-level discussion: Teaching and Learning for the Sustainable Future
Speakers: Anders Adlercreutz, Minister of Education of Finland; Katarina Murto, President of the Trade Union of Education in Finland; Geir Røsvoll, President of Utdanningsforbundet Norway; moderator: Dr. Venla Bernelius,Senior Specialist, Ministry of Education and Culture
Organiser: Ministry of Education and Culture, Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ)
14:00–15:00
Academic Freedom Under Threat
Speakers: Mikko Poutanen, PhD in political science and postdoctoral (grant) researcher, Tampere University, docent of political sociology, University of Turku; Tuija Saresma, Professor, Cultural Studies, University of Eastern Finland. Moderator: Martta October, lawyer, OAJ. Organiser: Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ)
Saturday 24 January
10:30–10:55
The Bright Side of Education
Speakers: Minna Koutaniemi, Director, Finnish National Agency for Education; Jaakko Salo, Education PolicyManager, The Trade Union of Education in Finland; Geir Røsvoll, President, Utdanningsforbundet, Norway
Moderator: Marjo Somari, EDUF
12:00–12:45
See the Good: Unlocking Strengths for Flourishing Schools and Communities
Keynote Speaker: Dr Kaisa Vuorinen, CEO, Positive Learning Ltd
Organiser: Educa 2026
Additional information:
Minna Korpimies, Marketing & Communications Specialist, Helsingin Messukeskus,
puh. +358 50 387 7325, ext-minna.korpimies@messukeskus.com
Get accredited: https://www.messukeskus.com/medialle/akkreditointi/
Educa, the leading professional training event for education and early childhood education professionals in the Nordic countries, will be held at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre on 23–24 January 2026. Educa is jointly organised by the Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ) and the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre. The event programme is curated by OAJ in cooperation with its partners: the Finnish National Agency for Education, the Association of Finnish Principals, Opsia – Experts in Education and Culture, the Pedagogical Teachers’ Associations, the Swedish Teachers’ Union in Finland (Finlands Svenska Lärarförbund, FSL), and the National Union of Teacher Students in Finland (SOOL).
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