PROGRAM
Sunday
16.00-19.00 Welcome and getting to know the surroundings and timetables and practices
- presenting the program briefly
- setting the course objectives and outcomes
- getting to know each other and your personal story
- cultural walk in Helsinki
Monday
Wicked problems are connected to each other
Objectives: connections between wicked problems (climate change, biodiversity loss, pandemics), importance of creativity in future thinking
Learning outcomes: how to handle wicked problems with different games, getting to know basics of futures sciences, learning to make utopias and dystopias
9.00–10.30 A new approach to the wicked problems (climate change, biodiversity loss, pandemics),
- Futures sciences, what is it?
- Megatrends: game with the megatrend-cards, workshop
10.30–10.50 coffee break
10.50–13.00 Weak signals and black swans and other signals
- where to find them and how to use them in scenarios
- hunt for weak signals, workshop
13.00–14.00 lunch
14.00-15.30 Creativity and future images, working with AI
- my own utopia, as I imagine it, individual work
- dystopias, do we need them?
15.30-16.00 wrap up of the day
Tuesday
Sustainability and the circular economy are the best-known practical solutions to wicked problems
Objectives: understanding sustainable development, understanding the importance of stopping overconsumption based on all thinking, understanding the unavoidability of circular economy thinking, understanding the link between circular economy and biodiversity, to know the most effective ways in circular economy.
Learning outcomes: practical exercises for schools to learn about the circular economy, testing your lifestyle.
9.00-10.30 Sustainability and Agenda 2030, introduction, and discussion
- testing the lifestyle online, individual work
- Dollar street
10.30–10.50 coffee break
10.50-13.00 Moving from the linear to the circular economy.
- introduction
- circular city and how it works, workshop.
13.00–14.00 lunch
14.00-16.00 Visit to a school or to a sustainable entrepreneur
Wednesday
Biodiversity day
Objectives: understanding the importance of nature resources to biodiversity loss, knowing the importance of city nature, getting aware of the means to avoid people’s effect on the city nature, the importance of art in thinking about the future.
Learning outcomes: learn to observe nature and changes in it, learn to use digital apps in identification of species, notice the impact of climate change in nature.
9.00-10.00 AI and identification of different species (iNaturalist).
10.00-13.00 Exploring the biodiversity in the parks and nature areas nearby, use of the application, visiting Harakka-island (nature reservation area) nearby Helsinki
13.00-14.00 Lunch
14.00-16.00 “100 ways to save planet” and other exercises, workshop.
Thursday
Take the future in your hands, skills needed for good choices
Objectives: understanding that future skills can be developed and thus influence one’s future, future professions, the importance of one’s own choices, stopping to look at one’s own life.
Learning outcomes: how can I implement a future camp in my own school and convert it for my own use.
9.00–10.30 Future guidance, how to learn and teach future skills at school, first part of future camp
- What are future skills
- future camp, workshop: 2-3 first working stations
10.30–10.50 coffee break
10.50–13.00 Future camp, workshop, 2-3 last workstations, 15-20 minutes each,
- skills bingo
- vote for the future
- statements about your personal life
- futures skills
- professions of the future
- posters for a better life
13.00-14.00 lunch
14.00-16.00 How sustainability is taking in to account in Finnish education
Friday
“What a wonderful world…” towards better future
Objectives: the importance of biodiversity loss, the reality of environmental anxiety, especially for young people, finding hope, practicing good negotiation skills, busting myths, active citizenship.
Learning outcomes: getting to know and using learning methods that awaken hope and bring joy.
9.00-16.00 00 excursion to Nuuksio National Park. Travelling happens by public transportation.
9.00-10.00 trip to Nuuksio
10.00-12.00 workshop in Haltia (main building)
12.00-13.00 lunch in the restaurant
13.-15.00 hiking in the natural park, workshop: path of hope and actions
15.00-16.00 coming back from Nuuksio.
Saturday
“Love the problem”, feedback and planning next steps
Objectives: gain the courage to face different kinds of problems, the importance of networking and feedback, practicing negotiation skills, busting myths
Learning outcomes: creating functional networks using social media, giving feedback to the course trainer and administrator
9.00-10.00 How to solve the problems.
- snowball method
- MythBusters
10.00- 10.30 Participants’ outputs and thoughts during the week
10.30-11.30 Identification of common project topics, the formation of cooperation networks, feedback
11.30-12.00 Certificates
REGISTRATION AND PRICES
How can I participate?
All registrations must be done using the online registration form.
Discounts available for groups of 5 or more participants! Contact courses@euneos.eu for more information.
The course will be confirmed later. For the moment, we take binding pre-registrations. If you want to send a group, but you don’t know yet all participants’ names, it is possible to add them to the registration form like this:
participant 1, participant 2, etc.
If you have problems or questions about completing the online form, please contact courses@euneos.eu
REGISTER (Registration takes place on our sister company, Euneos’ website)
Prices
(Read more about grants and other options for financial support.)
If you have Erasmus+ KA1 funding, it should cover the fees. For those who come from outside the EU countries, there are other professional development grants for teachers. We have tried to keep the costs so low that self-funded participation is also a real option.
The price excludes Finnish VAT 24%. For VAT exemption, you need to register as a representative/employee of a company, school or other organization, and during the registration, provide a VAT-number or Erasmus-related OID (Organization ID) number. If you don’t have those, please send a tax certificate, trade register extract, or similar from your country to courses@euneos.eu
Course fee 660€
Price includes
The meal package (140€ excl. VAT) is obligatory, and it includes:
- Lunches (including a School lunch) and refreshments each day
- Entrance fees (on the planned excursions)
Other expenses
Airline tickets, accommodation, and local travel tickets must be bought separately.
Payments
When we confirm the course we send a link to pay with a credit card or an invoice to make a bank transfer. The participant should assume all the bank transaction fees.
Please note that all payments must be made in advance and in euros (€).
Cancellation policy
Cancellation by participant
All cancellations must be made by email to courses@euneos.eu at least a month before the course starts. If you do not cancel your participation at all, you will be charged the full fee. Please note that a processing fee of 160€ (excl. VAT) will be deducted from all refunds. If unable to attend, the registered person may substitute someone else from the same organization by sending a notification to courses@euneos.eu.
Cancellation by VisitEDUfinn
If the documents attached during the registration process are not valid, and the participant does not deliver proper documents immediately after requested, VisitEDUfinn has the right to cancel the participation without any refund. However, participation is always possible, paying the normal fee (or the price difference).
In case the event is canceled due to COVID-19 or a similar situation, all the payments will be refunded without any processing fee. VisitEDUfinn is not responsible for any damage caused by the cancellation and strongly recommends purchasing flexible flight tickets and accommodation.
Invitation letters
VisitEDUfinn will write invitation letters only after the full payment. If the participant cannot get a visa and sends evidence about the rejected visa application, VisitEDUfinn will refund the paid amount. However, 100€ (excl. VAT) will be deducted as an administrative fee.
Frequently Asked Questions about Registration and Fees
TRAINER
Tuovi Ronkainen
The course is organized and led by an experienced, former Finnish high school teacher and principal with deep expertise in sustainability, circular economy, and innovative teaching practices, drawing from Finland’s world-leading educational strengths. Tuovi is currently studying futures studies at the University of Turku and works as a future coach. With experience as a biology and geography teacher, she has coordinated Comenius and Erasmus+ projects in various schools and served as the network coordinator for the Baltic Sea Project under the National Board of Education. As a Project Ambassador for the European School Heads Association (ESHA), she has been actively involved in ecological projects nationally and internationally, focusing on future education and equipping students with skills to address complex challenges like climate change.
ERASMUS+
VisitEDUfinn (OID CODE: E10020922 / PIC CODE: 899855324) and Euneos Corporation (OID CODE:E10124150 / PIC CODE 950782555) organise ERASMUS+ Staff Mobility job shadowing and professional courses designed for teachers at all levels. Our programs are organized in different parts of Finland in cooperation with other stakeholders in the field of education (schools, universities, municipalities).
All the courses are designed following the Quality Standards for courses under Key Action 1 and participants are provided with certificates that meet the Europass criteria.
Course title: Sustainability and Circular Economy: Practical Approach to Wicked Problems
Audience
- Primary, secondary and high school school teachers
- School management and leadership
- All other non-teaching experts
Working Methods
- Exploration of pre-assumptions
- Workshops
- Facilitated discussions / shared brainstorming
- Teamwork and Presentations
- Field visits
- Personal learning diary
Outcomes
- Gain insight into Finnish schools and education
- Facilitate team-building activities
- Implement teaching sessions by utilizing participatory methods
- Create a concrete development plan for your own school
European/ International dimension
We wait participants from many European countries as well as from outside Europe. Sharing ideas together with colleagues from different countries offers a broader perspective on the topic. The course is also a great opportunity for networking for future collaboration.
ACCOMODATION
Helsinki, Finland
If not in the Helsinki area, please mofidy: The participants can freely choose their accommodation. However, we highly recommend being located close to Senate Square as the most interesting sights are within walking distance from the Square. We have negotiated special rates or discounts for our clients with the companies below. After your purchase, we will give you the necessary codes.
Scandic Hotels (12% discount)
Omena Hotels (special rate)
Hotel Arthur (10% discount)
Forenom apartments (10% discount)
20 Rooms Hostel (special rate)
Tell us what kind of accommodation you prefer, and we can help to find a place for your stay!
How to get from the airport to the hotels
Several Taxi companies are offering their services in the airport. The price to the city center is approximately 50€. There are also public transportation options; both the railway and bus stations are located in the airport. The price is around 5€, depending on whether you pay cash or use an application or ticket machine.
Weather in Helsinki
Depending on the time of the year, the temperature can be anything between -30 and +30 Celsius. Please visit the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s website for updated news on the weather in Helsinki.
Language
The official languages in Finland are Finnish and Swedish, but practically everyone knows basic English, and especially the people involved in tourism speak very good English.
Currency
The Finnish currency unit is the Euro. There are numerous cash machines (ATMs) open around the clock and accepting all major credit cards. Besides, Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted almost everywhere (hotels, restaurants, shops, taxis, cafeterias, bars, etc.).
Voltage
The electric current in Finland is 230V, 50Hz. Plugs are two-pin continental size.
Time
The time in Finland is GMT/UTC+2 (During Daylight Saving Time +3)
GENERAL INFORMATION ON HELSINKI
Is Helsinki the coolest city in the world?
Probably yes! In the capital of Finland, you can find the influence of both our neighbors, Sweden and Russia, but still the city is unique. It’s a modern metropole with over 650, 000 inhabitants (1,5 million in the larger metropolitan area) and yet you are never more than a 10-minute walk from nature. On the same day, you can pick berries in a forest and go to the Opera. Helsinki is a lively big city that never sleeps, but so safe that you can see 7-year-old first graders the take the tram to school on their own.
Feeling the fresh breeze of the Baltic Sea while wandering around the picturesque streets of this easy-going city, it is not so difficult to imagine why Finns are the happiest nation in the world. After the walk, warm yourself up with a cup of coffee and a cinnamon bun. These coffee breaks with friends and colleagues are almost sacred moments to Finns.
While in Helsinki, check out the libraries as a social innovation in Finnish education, interactive museums, the islands around Helsinki and the sauna. There are many more attractions that promise unforgettable experience in Helsinki such as Alvar Aalto’s studio, Helsinki Cathedral by Carl Ludvig Engel, Senate Square, Old Market Hall, Löyly sauna and restaurant, and much more.
Check out What’s up in Helsinki during your study visit!
EDUCATION IN FINLAND
How is education in Finland?
During our events and courses, you will get familiar with all the characteristics of Finnish education:
- One of the basic principles is that everyone must have equal access to high-quality education and training.
- Each student has the right to educational support.
- Special needs education is generally provided within mainstream education.
- The Finnish education system is based on the philosophy of inclusion.
- Educational support and guidance covers support for learning according to the individual capacity of the learners, school attendance, pupil welfare, and guidance and counseling. The learning of gifted pupils and students is supported.
- The education system is based on trust and responsibility.
- Educational autonomy is high at all levels.
- Most education is publicly funded.
- National core curriculum gives space for local variations.
- Learning outside the classroom is common.
- The first national examination is at the end of general upper secondary education.
- Teaching continues to be an attractive profession.
- Finnish schools have highly educated teaching personnel.
- Continuing teacher education is widely encouraged.
Read more about Finnish Education.
For additional information about the registrations, payments, and invoices, please contact:
Euneos Corporation
Mäntyviita 7H
02110 Espoo
Email: courses@euneos.fi
For other inquiries about this course, please contact:
VisitEDUfinn Ltd.
c/o Sofia Helsinki Members
Sofiankatu 4 C
00170 HELSINKI
Tel. +358 407 516 478
Email: info@visitedufinn.com
