- Source: Paasikivi Society
The Paasikivi Society is Finland's oldest foreign policy society, founded in 1958.
History
Its original mission was to strengthen and stabilise Finland's official foreign policy among the nation at large. It also undertook the task of making Finland's foreign policy known abroad.
On the Society's initiative, The Finnish Institute of International Affairs (Ulkopoliittinen instituutti) was established in 1961, and a journal, The Finnish Journal of Foreign Policy (Ulkopolitiikka-lehti), was established in 1961.
The Society supported the Paasikivi-Kekkonen doctrine, Finland's official foreign policy.
The Society has hosted foreign heads of state, ministers, and ambassadors as speakers. President George H.W. Bush, President Mary McAleese, President Lennart Meri, President Jorge Sampaio, President Askar Akajev, President Georgi Parvanov, President Svetozar Marovic, President Vaclav Klaus, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President Danilo Türk have delivered speeches for the Society.
The members include Finnish ministers, MPs, MEPs, ambassadors, government officials, officers, researchers, journalists, authors, and business leaders.
Honorary Members
Former presidents of Finland Juho Paasikivi, Urho Kekkonen, Mauno Koivisto, and Martti Ahtisaari are honorary members of the society. Other honorary members are former prime minister Harri Holkeri and Matti Vanhanen. Former chairmen of the society are honory members as well.