Since the mass redundancies at Nokia the Finnish Government was faced with a skilled (but under unemployed) workforce that have paid high taxes and have high expectations of the Government to provide welfare. There is an affordability question and the Finnish Voluntary Sector is not geared up to provide in the same way as it is (for example) in the UK. Public bodies needed to look at how to inspire citizens to be more active. How could the Government encourage citizens to seize the initiative and generate solutions for themselves. VSDB was commissioned to lead a cross sector, international Think Tank to examine the theme of “Activating Citizens”. This intervention was enhanced by locating it in the fantastic Lief House in Turku, created by the artist Jan-Erik Andersson. You can find out more about this location at:
www.anderssonart.com