Antti 'Jogi' Poikola

@poiko.la

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Where data meets society

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Commercial for the Green Party candidated for Helsinki municipal elections 2025.
Schools and kindergartens should serve less meat. The Basic Education Act stipulates that students must be offered a full school meal every day. Antti Poikola Completely agree This is justified for climate reasons. The quality of school lunches should be invested in, so that vegetarian food tastes great for everyone.
My municipality should show support for gender and sexual minorities by flying a Pride flag. Pride events supporting the equality of gender and sexual minorities are organised in many municipalities. Some municipalities support these events by flying flags. Antti Poikola Completely agree Pride is an important symbol of equality and non-discrimination. It sends a positive message about Helsinki as a city where everyone is welcome to be themselves. At the same time, it is important to take concrete actions to promote equality, such as training staff and ensuring non-discrimination in services.
My municipality must strive to achieve carbon neutrality before Finland's national target year of 2035. Carbon neutrality means that climate-warming emissions do not exceed the amount that can be absorbed by carbon sinks. Finland's national goal of carbon neutrality is enshrined in law. Municipalities may voluntary set their own climate goals. Antti Poikola Completely agree The city of Helsinki has set the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030, and according to the latest estimates, the city is on track and is likely to achieve this target. The capital must act as a pioneer and set an example that strengthens Finland's image as a developer of climate solutions. Early action will provide a competitive advantage and long-term savings.
Even sparsely populated areas of my municipality should have access to public transport to reach services. Municipalities' only statutory role in passenger transport is school transport. Antti Poikola Completely agree Helsinki is densely populated enough that city-wide public transportation makes sense.
Immigrants strengthen the vitality of my municipality. A municipality's vitality is affected by factors such as the change in the number of inhabitants, the number of employed and unemployed people and companies, as well as the education and income level of its residents. Antti Poikola Completely agree Exactly! All around the world, immigration increases prosperity, and urban areas, in particular, compete with each other on how well they can attract newcomers. Immigration and the successful integration of immigrants are absolutely critical to Helsinki's success. When the government led by the National Coalition Party reverses its immigration policy, Helsinki must move resolutely in the opposite direction and ensure that everyone who comes here is warmly welcomed and successfully integrated into the workforce. This includes, among other things, smooth employment services, language education, support for spouses' employment, English-language early childhood education and teaching, as well as a clear welcome package and advisory services.
My municipality should finance events that encourage interaction between different cultures. Municipalities can decide themselves whether to use funds for various events. Antti Poikola Completely agree Helsinki funds events that serve residents and enhance the city's dynamism and livability. Interaction between different cultures is vital. Helsinki is an international city whose competitiveness is based on its ability to attract talent from all over the world. Multiculturalism requires efforts against discrimination and racism, as well as residents' adaptation to the idea of immigrants as neighbors and coworkers.
My municipality should reduce spending on immigrant integration services. Integration means settling in and adapting to the conditions of a new home country. Municipalities have overall responsibility for integration services, such as guidance and counselling for immigrants, employment services and studies to improve language skills, for example. Antti Poikola Completely disagree Money invested in integration services pays off many times over through better employment outcomes for immigrants and their connection to Finland. Integration services, such as Finnish language training and other settlement services, should be developed and expanded to ensure they also cater to those coming to Finland directly for work.