Taking Small Steps Toward Equality

When public discourse on immigration is hostile and disdainful, it becomes difficult for individuals with foreign backgrounds to feel welcome and equal. Integration can be fostered at the local level through shared activities, says migration researcher Shadia Rask. Preventing racism requires common meeting spaces, meaningful interactions, and a firm commitment to addressing discrimination.

The current government has implemented numerous policies that weaken the position of society’s most vulnerable. What impact do these measures have on people with foreign backgrounds?

Shadia Rask: Political decisions directly affect people’s well-being and their sense of belonging in society. As a migration researcher, I have closely followed the increasing restrictions and cuts related to immigration. A major concern has been the new regulation requiring individuals with a work-based residence permit to find a new job within three—or in some cases six—months if they lose their employment; otherwise, they must leave the country. Moreover, permanent residence is now granted only after eight years instead of the previous six.

I have interviewed immigrant women, and for them, the worst part is not the additional waiting period but the prolonged experience of insecurity, uncertainty, anxiety, and distress. Many individuals with foreign backgrounds feel they do not truly belong here—that they are neither welcomed nor wanted.

Many grassroots organizations work to promote integration and prevent social exclusion, but their efforts are increasingly challenged. Budget cuts target activities that provide affordable opportunities for low-income individuals. This directly affects the lives of children from immigrant backgrounds, shaping their opportunities and prospects. These measures contradict the ideals and principles of the Finnish welfare state.

You emphasize the importance of two-way integration. What does that mean, and how can it be implemented?

Shadia Rask: We cannot expect only those moving to Finland to integrate while Finnish society itself remains passive. If we are not welcoming, integration becomes impossible. In addition to societal structures, education services, and language training, we need spaces for interaction and engagement. Creating opportunities for meaningful encounters is crucial.

Lifelong learning centres serve as excellent meeting places for people from different backgrounds. However, the government is now cutting their funding. These cuts are based on misconceptions—some believe that adult education courses are only for middle-class hobbies, but in reality, a significant number of participants are career changers, low-income individuals, unemployed people, and students on a gap year, including many with foreign backgrounds.

I find great value in American social psychologist Gordon Allport’s contact hypothesis. His research suggests that prejudice and discriminatory attitudes between different groups decrease when interactions are institutionally supported, long-term, and goal-oriented, and when people engage on an equal footing. Adult education centres are excellent examples of this in practice. I have also benefited from them many times in my own life.

Discussions on racism have been heated. What are the consequences of this public debate?

Shadia Rask: In summer 2023, racist statements from high-ranking government politicians led to a crises in government, which was addressed by introducing an anti-racism action plan. However, the very party that necessitated this initiative chose not to participate in the government’s anti-racism campaign.

Racism weighs heavily on my mind. It is crucial that we do not become desensitized or exhausted by these discussions. Racism is a serious issue in Finnish society, and both national and international research confirm this. That said, I also see progress in efforts to combat racism.

We have legislation that mandates the promotion of equality and non-discrimination. This is not an optional extra—it is a legal obligation for institutions such as schools and employers. For instance, the City of Helsinki has set an ambitious goal: all 38,000 of its employees will undergo equality training. The aim is to raise awareness of biases and unconscious thought patterns at an organizational level. Employees want to know how to work more inclusively and without discrimination.

Private companies, including Elisa and Nordea, have also stated that promoting diversity and equality is an everyday necessity for them. For these businesses, it is both a competitive advantage and a fundamental part of their values.

Never before has racism been such a prominent topic in Finnish society. Awareness is increasing, leading to new insights, encounters, and conversations.

Last year, you transitioned to entrepreneurship after thirteen years at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. What kind of work do you do now, and what inspires you?

Shadia Rask: I give lectures and training on diversity and equality. I also write columns for Yle and blog for Taloustaito. In the autumn, I carried out a major consultancy project for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, focusing on how government data across different countries can be better utilized to measure discrimination and inequality. The goal is to gain a clearer understanding of where and how discrimination manifests in societies.

A couple of years ago, I read a fascinating book: The Great Experiment. Why Diverse Democracies Fall Apart and How They Can Endure by political scientist Yascha Mounk. His key argument is that successful societies are those that create inclusive identities rather than relying on exclusionary nationalism.

I believe Finland offers many positive examples—there are municipalities and even individual neighbourhoods where people have successfully fostered a sense of belonging and shared purpose. Many individuals with foreign backgrounds feel they cannot identify as Finnish unless they speak the language as a native speaker or have white skin. This is why local belonging matters—whether it is feeling a sense of belonging in places like Turku or Varissuo.

Creating a sense of belonging at the local level is a tremendous asset and opportunity. Everyone has a fundamental need to belong.

Text: Translated from a Finnish original by Helen Partti
Photo: Usva Torkki