Etla’s 80th anniversary celebrations will reach their climax this September, when our logo changes from the familiar blue to gold – as befits a celebration of golden years. The commemorative book “Finland 2051” will be launched at a special event at Finlandia Hall on 2 September, and the coming autumn will feature many other festive and topical events.
Etla Economic Research turns 80 in September. To mark this anniversary year and milestone, its iconic visual identity will undergo a temporary change: Etla’s familiar blue logo will be replaced by a gold one for the duration of September.
The logo celebrates the 80-year-old research institute’s long history in the field of Finnish economic research – and in supporting decision-making. Founded in 1946, the institute was established to meet post-war Finland’s need for independent, research-based information to support the country’s reconstruction and economic growth.
Over the course of eight decades, the world around us has changed many times over, but the importance of independent analysis and evidence-based knowledge remains – and is greater today than ever before.
Even in its anniversary year, Etla is not content to simply look back. The key project is the commemorative book Finland 2051, to be released on 2 September, which continues Etla’s award-winning and highly regarded National Economy (Kansantalous) book series from previous decades.
Edited by CEO Aki Kangasharju and Research Adviser Petri Rouvinen, the book sets its horizon 25 years into the future. Due to be published in September, this new book does not merely analyse the current situation but sparks a discussion on the choices Finland must make today to ensure that our country’s competitiveness, standard of living and well-being are safeguarded for the next generation.
The book addresses the most critical issues facing the Finnish economy and future well-being – ranging from productivity and education to the artificial intelligence revolution, the transformation of the geo-economy and the role of the public sector. The authors include Etla’s leading researchers as well as all its managing directors from the 2000s.
Etla’s 80th anniversary and the book Finland 2051 will be celebrated at an invitation-only seminar to be held on Tuesday 2 September at Finlandia Hall in Helsinki.
The celebratory seminar will bring together key figures from Finnish business, politics and economic research. The programme for the event will include, amongst other things, an interview with the President of the Republic of Finland Dr. Alexander Stubb; a speech by Christoph Vitzthum, Chairman of Etla’s Board; a presentation of the concrete policy proposals contained in the commemorative volume, and a panel discussion in which experts and business leaders will share their views on the direction we should now take to ensure that Finland remains a welfare society in 2051.
The event will be hosted and the interviews conducted by a well-known Finnish talks show host Arto Nyberg.
A recording of the event will later be available to watch on Etla’s website and YouTube channel.
The anniversary seminar also marks the start of a busy autumn of events to celebrate the anniversary year. Etla will publish its economic forecast on 17 September. As usual, this will be accompanied by a live session, which can be followed via a live stream and where you can join in the discussion with Etla’s forecasting team.
On 23 September, we will conclude a long-term research project that has mapped out the forces of change. It is well known that business operations and the labour market are undergoing a transformation in many ways, and the research has covered topics such as the impact of artificial intelligence on working life and productivity, as well as the welfare implications of the green transition.
The project, known as ‘Cartagena’, has been funded by Business Finland, and the main findings of the research will be presented at its closing seminar. The seminar and discussions will also be streamed live from FLIK’s Sanomatalo studios.
October kicks off with an alumni celebration: a joint event for former Etla staff will be held on 8 October. The event will also feature a discussion on the parallels between the book Finland 2051 and Etla’s ‘Kansantalous’ series, which has previously received recognition and awards. Authors from the ‘Kansantalous’ series will also be in attendance.
