The Finnish Expatriate Parliament - cooperative forum and promoter of interests for all Finns living abroad

There are around 600 000 first and second generation Finns living abroad. If the third and subsequent generations are taken into account, the amount rises to around 1,3 million. According to the Finnish Population Register Centre 254 909 Finnish citizens live outside of Finland (1.4.2004).

Expatriate Finns are a resource for Finland. They contribute to make Finland and Finnish culture known all over the world but they also bring with them knowledge and skills they have acquired abroad home to Finland. It is important for Finland that the link between Expatriate Finns and Finland stays strong.

The Finnish Expatriate Parliament is a forum for co-operation and promotes the interest of all expatriate Finns. Therefore, the FEP is the expatriate Finns' direct link to Finland.

All Finnish Expatriate organizations can take part in the work of the UFP. All that is needed is a ratification of the by-laws of the FEP. There are no financial responsibilities or privileges in membership. Currently 499 Finnish expatriate organizations in 37 countries have ratified the by-laws.

The permanent secretariat of the UFP – Finland Society – is located in Helsinki.

The next session of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament will take place in the autumn of 2012.

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