The City of Espoo s Candidacy for Chair of the EUROCITIES Culture Forum 2019 2020
17th September 2018 Dear Members of the EUROCITIES Culture Forum, Cities worldwide are facing groundbreaking changes. Urbanization, the technological revolution, climate issues, demographic changes and shifting global value chains challenge cities. As 70 % of the world s population will live in cities by 2050, it is our obligation as cities to answer to these challenges with visionary determination. As cities of Europe, it is our responsibility to do so in line with the values of the European Union. Culture is a safeguarder of humanist values. Culture contributes to keeping the European community together. Culture is a uniting force, a changemaker and an empowerer. More than ever, we must bring the cross-cutting power of culture to the front and treasure its intrinsic value. In Espoo, we answer to the societal transformation with a strong focus on sustainable development. Espoo s cultural vision for the future is to build a creative and bold city that supports a sustainable way of life. The city has a significant role in creating platforms for collaboration and innovation, to bring citizens and communities together to solve challenges jointly. In a time when societal transformations call for joint efforts over boarders, EUROCITIES is a valuable platform for collaboration on European level. The EUROCITIES Culture Forum offers a unique opportunity to voice the need of strong cross-sectoral cultural policies in cities to the benefit of European citizens and Europe as a whole. This is why we candidate for the Chair of the Culture Forum: to give our contribution to the building of sustainable cities and a sustainable European future, through and for culture, together with the EUROCITIES Culture Forum members. Yours sincerely, Jaana Jalonen Member of the City Board City of Espoo
Our priorities for the Culture Forum 1. Culture at the core of making sustainable cities Sustainable development is a focal instrument in preparing for and responding to changes in society. Culture has an imperative role in sustainability: culture enables and drives sustainable development on all fronts. Parallellally, sociocultural sustainability is a goal in itself. The world is currently creating technologies that will have more power than we even can imagine today. These technologies include for instance artificial intelligence, virtual reality and Internet of Things (IoT). As transhuman technologies challenge our understanding for the other, fostering empathy will be of crucial value. Safeguarding humanist values and enabling lifelong learning for everyone are essential when robots and technologies challenge our values and require new skills from us. Culture and arts have a crucial role in dealing with the consequences and preparing for the change: Cultural experiences, arts and storytelling are central instruments for creating empathy and fostering dialogue. Moreover, culture plays a key role in creating a sustainable economy, in promoting wellbeing of all, in environmental protection and in providing high-quality education. Culture is needed for building bridges in an increasingly diverse Europe, in creating inclusive cities. Culture is at the core of making sustainable cities. The role of culture is increasingly better recognized on global and European arenas. The United Nations Agenda 2030 is the first UN global agenda on sustainability that recognizes the role of culture in sustainability. The decision of the EU Commission to establish a partnership for Culture and cultural heritage in the EU Urban Agenda demonstrates the increasing recognition for the role of culture in urban development. Cities need to continue deepening this recognition and emphasizing the significance of culture in building sustainable cities. As European cities and advocates of the values of the European Union, it is not only our privilege, but our duty, to act as pioneers. The City of Espoo has been acknowledged for its approach to sustainability on national and international fora. A key to our accomplishments has been a strong focus on co-creation, colearning and collaboration locally, nationally and beyond. We find it ever more important that cities engage in a European dialogue for a sustainable future. Cultural policies are a key instrument in building sustainable cities.
2. An inclusive and influential EUROCITIES Culture Forum The strategy of the Culture Forum sets out a determined course, not a definitive solution, for the Forum. To get from the what in the strategy to the how in terms of concrete actions, it is central to have a constant open dialogue amongst the Forum members and to anchor the dialogue in each member city. As Forum Chair, we would like to work for an inclusive and welcoming Forum, in which dialogue and participation are key working methods. It is essential that we as cultural leaders of cities in Europe have an open dialogue and foster understanding between each other also in a broader sense: only then can we act to increase the understanding between people, cultures, cities and countries - in Europe and beyond. This is vital for fostering the spirit of Europe, for nourishing the European unity. As Europe is built on a variety of traditions, ideals and aspirations, we need dialogue to keep its spirit thriving. EUROCITIES Culture Forum is a significant platform for this dialogue. A focal task of culture is to act as a changemaker. The EUROCITIES Culture Forum acts for change on European level and through concrete actions carried out by members in cities. The EU Urban Agenda development, and that EUROCITIES has been asked to appoint a member city to join the Urban Agenda Partnership on Culture and Cultural Heritage, offers yet another route to influence urban policies through culture. The Culture Forum also offers a rare opportunity for its members to learn from each other and to offer each other development alternatives, to find joint solutions to joint challenges. Culture for all, public art, cultural heritage education and an increasing understanding for the importance of empathy and lifelong learning are a few examples of our city s current cultural development work related to sustainability. We would like to continue sharing and learning about these and other topics together with the Culture Forum members. The fundamental instrument for the Culture Forum to initiate change is its strategy. The Culture Forum should continue implementing its strategy and the working groups of the Forum should be actively engaged in the strategic work. In addition, the EUROCITIES Culture Forum should increase its influence on city development by declaring its intent regarding sustainable development.
The City of Espoo in EUROCITIES and beyond The City of Espoo is a young, curious and experimental city that believes in dialogue and the power of collaboration. We actively collaborate on European and global level with the objective to share, learn and build a better future. Espoo s European networks include EUROCITIES, Union of Baltic Cities, several professional networks in different sectors and bilateral connections with European cities. Espoo has a tie to the European Committee of the Regions through its First Vice-President Markku Markkula, also Chairman of the Espoo City Board. During recent years, Espoo has participated in the EU Neighborhood work by using the Twinning instrument to share the city s expertise in education with EU Neighborhood countries. The European community is vital for us, and EUROCITIES is our key city network in European collaboration. Being a second largest city and part of a metropolitan area, we have an understanding for both medium-sized cities and cities in metropolitan areas. This not only makes Espoo a representative advocate for EUROCITIES members but it also makes the network crucial for Espoo. EUROCITIES offers the possibility to work on topical issues with cities facing similar challenges. Espoo has been a EUROCITIES member since 2002. In recent years, we have been active in the following forums and working groups: Economic Development Forum Member of the Economic Development Forum Chair of International Economic Relations Working Group 2015 Vice-Chair of International Economic Relations Working Group 2013-2014 Member of Working Groups Entrepreneurship & SMEs, Innovation and City Branding and International Economic Relations Project partner in ENIGMA - Enlightenment and innovation, ensured through precommercial procurement in cities 2013-2016 Environment Forum Member of the Environment Forum Cooperation Forum Member of the Cooperation Forum Member of Working Groups Metropolitan areas and Public Services Knowledge Society Forum Member of the Knowledge Society Forum
Mobility Forum Member of the Mobility Forum Social Affairs Forum Member of the Social Affairs Forum Member of Working Groups Homelessness, Migration & Integration and Urban Ageing Culture Forum Vice Chair in 2017-2018 Member of Working Groups Cultural access and entitlement, Culture as a resource and Creative industries Case study in the Culture for Cities and Regions project. Host for a study visit together with Helsinki on Culture for children and youth. Also participant in the study visits in Birmingham and Antwerp. Coaching city in the Culture for Cities and Regions project in Developing a cultural strategy; cooperation models and developing of networks. First Prize in the category of innovation in Eurocities Awards 2008 for the Culture Chain Co-beneficiary in the Intercultural Cities programme in 2008. Joint action of the Council of Europe and the European Commission. Participation in annual conferences since 2005 Cooperation Platform Espoo hosted the Cooperation Platform in 2012 Beyond Europe Espoo actively collaborates in and builds networks and bilateral partnerships globally. The city has recently been chosen as one of 25 cities to join the United Nations SDG Cities Leadership Platform, a global initiative for promoting sustainability in cities worldwide. The city promotes sustainability also through the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, in which Espoo is an active and awarded member for its achievements in building sustainability through lifelong learning. Espoo recently decided to join the Intelligent Communities Forum (ICF), a global network of cities which helps communities use information and communications technology to create wellbeing in cities. In 2018, the forum appointed Espoo the most Intelligent Community in the world for Espoo s citizen-driven approach to sustainable smart city development. One of Espoo s main bilateral partnerships is with Shanghai in China. The flourishing collaboration covers business development, education, culture and sports.
Curriculum Vitae Jaana Jalonen Jaana Jalonen is an internationally-minded and experienced business professional with a strong strategic mindset and appreciation of the value of culture. Her networking skills make her a respected community member in Espoo and beyond. Jaana is a member of the main decision-making organs in Espoo, the City Council and the City Board. From 2019, she will chair one of the city s five key strategic cross-sectoral development programs Inspiring, dynamic Espoo. In 2013 2017, she chaired the Cultural Committee, thus having a significant political role in the creation of CultureEspoo 2030, Espoo s cultural policy program. Jaana has a professional record in business development, marketing and consulting, including several international responsibilities. She has participated in making Finnish entertainment business history through her board membership in Rovio, the creator of Angry Birds. Jaana is a member of the Board of Directors of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet. In her spare time, she advocates for social support mechanisms for children in risk of exclusion through her engagement in the board of the voluntary organization Espoo Icehearts. She is also an active consumer of culture and sports. She is married and has two children. Selected positions of trust Member of the Espoo City Council 2013 2017, 2018 Member of the Espoo City Board 2017 2018, 2018 Member of the Business and Competitiveness Subcommittee of Espoo City Board 2017 2018, 2018 Chair of the steering group of the cross-sectoral development program Inspiring, dynamic Espoo, 2019 Vice Chairman of Espoo City Council Group of the National Coalition Party, 2018 Chair of the Espoo Cultural Committee 2013 2017 Vice Chair on behalf of the City of Espoo at EUROCITIES Culture Forum, 2018 Member of the Board of Directors, Finnish National Opera and Ballet, 2014 Member of the Board of Rovio Entertainment, 2007 2013 Selected professional experience Independent consultant and board executive member at Ilja Consulting, 2004
Chair of the board, Buddy Healthcare Ltd Vice President and Country Manager of UK at TJ-Group Plc, 2001 2003 Several managing positions with responsibility for business development and marketing in the Nordics, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Russia at Lotus Development Corporation, 1992 2001 Education Jaana holds a Diploma in Business and Administration from Helsinki Commercial College and a Degree in Design Management from Tampere University of Applied Sciences. She has studied international politics and communications at Helsinki University.
The team The following team of officers would be supporting the Chair: Susanna Tommila Cultural Director Assistant in practical arrangements: Marika Torniainen Tiina Kasvi Cultural Manager Cultural Unit Annika Forstén Senior planning officer (international relations) Education and Cultural Services The support would be provided mainly from the Cultural Unit, in close collaboration with the international group at the Education and Cultural Services and the Mayor s Office. The main supporting officers at the Mayor s Office would be Director for Business and Urban Development Tuula Antola, Deputy Head of International Affairs Milla Ovaska and EU Coordinator Jasmin Repo.