Venue: Finlandia Hall and University of Helsinki, Finland
Dates: 10 — 13 June 2025
More information coming soon.
Dates: 10 — 13 June 2025
More information coming soon.
13th European Remembrance Symposium & International Conference on the 50th Anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act:
The Spirit of Helsinki Then and Now
Project Coordinator
The coordinator of the 13th European Remembrance is Maria Naimska.
Contact: maria.naimska@enrs.eu
Read more about Maria.
Contact: maria.naimska@enrs.eu
Read more about Maria.
Programme
Day 1 – Tuesday 10 June
18:00—19:00 Discussion between Markus Meckel and Michael Žantovský held by prof. Laura Kolbe
15:00—17:30 Reception Dinner (Finlandia Hall)
Goetheinstitut Concert at Finlandia Hall
Day 2 – Wednesday 11 June
Finlandia Hall (Helsinki Hall + Foyer)
9:00—10:00 Registration
10:00—10:40 Welcome Speeches (President or somebody from his office, ENRS / Katharina Kunter, HWB) and Keynote Speech (prof. Michael Morgan 20min)
10:45—11:00 Coffee Break
10:45—11:00 Opening panel – Power of Diplomacy
What role did diplomacy play during the Cold War? What significance had the Helsinki Final Act for the communist countries. Recognising and navigating complex needs in current conflict -What are current possibilities and constraints of diplomacy?
Chair: prof. Michael Morgan
confirmed Panellists:
Sia Spiliopoulou Åkermark, Åbo Akademi in Turku
Kristina Spohr, London School of Economics and Political Science, Department of International History
Henryka Mościcka-Dendys, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Monika MacDonagh- Pajerová, Anglo American University
René Nyberg, Finnish Diplomat, OSCE – to be invited
13:00—14:00 Lunch
14:00—15:30 Religion as part of the Helsinki Process
Introduction: Sarah Snyder (American University Washington) 20 min
Chair: Riho Altnurme (University Tartu)
Panel:
Katharina Kunter (University of Helsinki), The potential of Christian dissidents in the Helsinki Process and for the democratisation of Central and Eastern Europe
Massimo Faggioli (Villanova University). CSCE, Human Rights and the Vatican, especially Principle VII
Anahit Shirinyan, Refuseniks - Soviet Jews Emigration (basket 3 humanitarian facilitation) tbc
Erik Sidenvall (University of Lund), Churches and their East-West Networks
Reka Kiss – to be invited
15:30—16:00 Coffee Break
16:00—17:30 Turbo Presentations
During the turbo presentations, participants showcase their organisation or project to the symposium’s audience. Each speaker has up to 90 seconds. The topics have to be connected with the general theme of the symposium.
17:30—18:30 Visiting exhibition of Alvaro Aalto
18:30—21:00 Reception dinner (Finlandia Restaurant)
Day 3 – Thursday 12 June
(to choose between the ENRS at the University of Helsinki or the Agenda of the University Conference at Finlandia Hall):
ENRS programme:
University of Helsinki
08:00—09:00 Registration
09:00—10:30 Panel discussion: Freedom, security and Human Rights then and now.
What did security mean in the Helsinki Accord times? What does it mean today? How the feeling of being secure influences the freedom of mind, speech, expression and economic freedom? How did the Helsinki Accord change the view of the human rights and which results did it have for the future?
confirmed Panellists:
Hermann Wentker, Institute of Contemporary History in Munich
Moderation: Bradley Reynolds, Historians without Borders
others: TBC
10:30—11:00 Coffee break
11:00—12:30 Case Studies: Courage bravery and leadership; Dialogue then and now
How institutions/museums educate about dialogue? How they engage young people and in general the audience in the field of the dialogue? Are they able to connect the historical examples with the contemporary challenges?
How to support peace and dialogue today?
12:30—14:00 Second panel discussion: Truth and reconciliation processes
The Pastoral Letter of Polish Bishops to their German Brothers in 1965 and its impact on the Polish-German relationships as an example of a faith based trial of dialogue. Was the result of it what the initiators really wanted? Which are the examples of the reconciliation processes’ attempts during the 20th century?
Reckoning with the past is important for successful transitions from conflict and to foster trustful relations in the present. Truth and reconciliation commissions have been implemented in various countries around the world to deal with past human rights abuses, war crimes or other violations of rights. The goal is usually to heal relations by uncovering facts and uplifting especially marginalized testimonies concerning the past. Nevertheless, truth and reconciliation processes do not always result in the intended outcome, often due to lack of political will, joint leadership and accountability - or because of continued violations of rights in the present. How can truth and reconciliation commissions be utilized in the best possible way to address historical injustices and foster true joint ownership of the process? Can or should the past be reconciled "for good"? When having a dialogue on the past, how do we deal with the present?
confirmed Panellists:
Taina Máret Pieski, Museum Director, CEO (Sámi museum Siida)
Marek Mutor, Platform of European Memory and Conscience
Moderation: Ion Ionita
others: TBC
14:00—15:00 Lunch
15:00—18:00 Cultural Visits
18:15—19:30 Cocktail at the University of Helsinki
Day 4 – Friday 13 June
09:00—10:15 Workshops on: (one to choose)
• Definition of the Museum and the role of museums in dealing with conflicts in historical memories
or
• How do museums define and calculate the value of their work in society?
10:15—10:30 Coffee break
10:30—11:45 Workshops on: (one to choose)
• Cultural sustainability: museums need to (re)invent their task and mission in the society as demands from the culture sector are increasing. Museums need to be in (also according to the renewed Museum's Act) service of and educate on the values of democracy, diversity and sustainability.
or
• How to create the exhibition?
11:45—12:00 Coffee break
12:00—14:00 Summary and round table discussion: Where has the “spirit of Helsinki” gone? What is left after 50 years?
How did the Russian-Ukrainian and Israeli-Palestine Wars change the view of Helsinki’s agreements? What are the challenges for the international bodies in 2025? Should the importance of the national governments be raised? What does it change for us to remember the history if it still repeats itself? Does the slogan “Never again!” mean anything to the increasing powers? Which elements of the “spirit of Helsinki” remain relevant in today's discussions about international security and cooperation between states?
confirmed Panellists:
Laura Kolbe, University of Helsinki
others: TBC
14:00—14:15 Closing remarks
14:15—15:15 Lunch
18:00—19:00 Discussion between Markus Meckel and Michael Žantovský held by prof. Laura Kolbe
15:00—17:30 Reception Dinner (Finlandia Hall)
Goetheinstitut Concert at Finlandia Hall
Day 2 – Wednesday 11 June
Finlandia Hall (Helsinki Hall + Foyer)
9:00—10:00 Registration
10:00—10:40 Welcome Speeches (President or somebody from his office, ENRS / Katharina Kunter, HWB) and Keynote Speech (prof. Michael Morgan 20min)
10:45—11:00 Coffee Break
10:45—11:00 Opening panel – Power of Diplomacy
What role did diplomacy play during the Cold War? What significance had the Helsinki Final Act for the communist countries. Recognising and navigating complex needs in current conflict -What are current possibilities and constraints of diplomacy?
Chair: prof. Michael Morgan
confirmed Panellists:
Sia Spiliopoulou Åkermark, Åbo Akademi in Turku
Kristina Spohr, London School of Economics and Political Science, Department of International History
Henryka Mościcka-Dendys, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Monika MacDonagh- Pajerová, Anglo American University
René Nyberg, Finnish Diplomat, OSCE – to be invited
13:00—14:00 Lunch
14:00—15:30 Religion as part of the Helsinki Process
Introduction: Sarah Snyder (American University Washington) 20 min
Chair: Riho Altnurme (University Tartu)
Panel:
Katharina Kunter (University of Helsinki), The potential of Christian dissidents in the Helsinki Process and for the democratisation of Central and Eastern Europe
Massimo Faggioli (Villanova University). CSCE, Human Rights and the Vatican, especially Principle VII
Anahit Shirinyan, Refuseniks - Soviet Jews Emigration (basket 3 humanitarian facilitation) tbc
Erik Sidenvall (University of Lund), Churches and their East-West Networks
Reka Kiss – to be invited
15:30—16:00 Coffee Break
16:00—17:30 Turbo Presentations
During the turbo presentations, participants showcase their organisation or project to the symposium’s audience. Each speaker has up to 90 seconds. The topics have to be connected with the general theme of the symposium.
17:30—18:30 Visiting exhibition of Alvaro Aalto
18:30—21:00 Reception dinner (Finlandia Restaurant)
Day 3 – Thursday 12 June
(to choose between the ENRS at the University of Helsinki or the Agenda of the University Conference at Finlandia Hall):
ENRS programme:
University of Helsinki
08:00—09:00 Registration
09:00—10:30 Panel discussion: Freedom, security and Human Rights then and now.
What did security mean in the Helsinki Accord times? What does it mean today? How the feeling of being secure influences the freedom of mind, speech, expression and economic freedom? How did the Helsinki Accord change the view of the human rights and which results did it have for the future?
confirmed Panellists:
Hermann Wentker, Institute of Contemporary History in Munich
Moderation: Bradley Reynolds, Historians without Borders
others: TBC
10:30—11:00 Coffee break
11:00—12:30 Case Studies: Courage bravery and leadership; Dialogue then and now
How institutions/museums educate about dialogue? How they engage young people and in general the audience in the field of the dialogue? Are they able to connect the historical examples with the contemporary challenges?
How to support peace and dialogue today?
12:30—14:00 Second panel discussion: Truth and reconciliation processes
The Pastoral Letter of Polish Bishops to their German Brothers in 1965 and its impact on the Polish-German relationships as an example of a faith based trial of dialogue. Was the result of it what the initiators really wanted? Which are the examples of the reconciliation processes’ attempts during the 20th century?
Reckoning with the past is important for successful transitions from conflict and to foster trustful relations in the present. Truth and reconciliation commissions have been implemented in various countries around the world to deal with past human rights abuses, war crimes or other violations of rights. The goal is usually to heal relations by uncovering facts and uplifting especially marginalized testimonies concerning the past. Nevertheless, truth and reconciliation processes do not always result in the intended outcome, often due to lack of political will, joint leadership and accountability - or because of continued violations of rights in the present. How can truth and reconciliation commissions be utilized in the best possible way to address historical injustices and foster true joint ownership of the process? Can or should the past be reconciled "for good"? When having a dialogue on the past, how do we deal with the present?
confirmed Panellists:
Taina Máret Pieski, Museum Director, CEO (Sámi museum Siida)
Marek Mutor, Platform of European Memory and Conscience
Moderation: Ion Ionita
others: TBC
14:00—15:00 Lunch
15:00—18:00 Cultural Visits
18:15—19:30 Cocktail at the University of Helsinki
Day 4 – Friday 13 June
09:00—10:15 Workshops on: (one to choose)
• Definition of the Museum and the role of museums in dealing with conflicts in historical memories
or
• How do museums define and calculate the value of their work in society?
10:15—10:30 Coffee break
10:30—11:45 Workshops on: (one to choose)
• Cultural sustainability: museums need to (re)invent their task and mission in the society as demands from the culture sector are increasing. Museums need to be in (also according to the renewed Museum's Act) service of and educate on the values of democracy, diversity and sustainability.
or
• How to create the exhibition?
11:45—12:00 Coffee break
12:00—14:00 Summary and round table discussion: Where has the “spirit of Helsinki” gone? What is left after 50 years?
How did the Russian-Ukrainian and Israeli-Palestine Wars change the view of Helsinki’s agreements? What are the challenges for the international bodies in 2025? Should the importance of the national governments be raised? What does it change for us to remember the history if it still repeats itself? Does the slogan “Never again!” mean anything to the increasing powers? Which elements of the “spirit of Helsinki” remain relevant in today's discussions about international security and cooperation between states?
confirmed Panellists:
Laura Kolbe, University of Helsinki
others: TBC
14:00—14:15 Closing remarks
14:15—15:15 Lunch
Partners
Organiser
Partner
Organiser of the International Conference on the 50th Anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act
Co-Organiser
ENRS is funded by:
