Candidates for the Board and President of SYL 2027

Introduce yourself and explain why you want to become the President of SYL or why you would be the best choice for the position.

I am a 31-year-old economics and law student from the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY) and the current Vice President of SYL. The elections next spring will determine whether Finnish higher education will truly remain tuition-free. I want to be at the forefront of this effort, as allowing even the slightest form of tuition fees would undermine the equal access people have to education.

As Vice President, I have lobbied decision-makers to vote against fee-based open university degrees and levying fees for second degrees, and I have built networks across party lines. This work will not cease at the turn of the year, as I would have SYL continue this effort at full speed come January.

I am used to making decisions under pressure. When ISYY’s board dissolved in the middle of last year’s term, I assumed the position of chair and restored internal trust by listening, making clear decisions, and keeping my promises.

How would you develop the activities of SYL, the National Union of University Students in Finland?

Under my leadership, SYL would establish an annual clock for the election year, to allow both the Board and student unions to see when and where SYL will be present. The materials for our call rounds would take regional differences into account, and SYL would organise more events outside Helsinki.

I would make SYL’s Board orientation process more practical by providing materials in advance and rehearsing realistic lobbying scenarios at our events, so that the new Board can start making an impact from the very beginning of the year.

What are the next important steps in SYL’s advocacy activities?

Students are not an expense – they represent the most important investment Finland can make. That is why defending free education is my top priority. My second objective is to ease the debt burden of students by promoting a sufficient level of income, particularly by linking the housing supplement to the index.

Before the elections, SYL will provide its field operatives with constituency-specific data packages for candidate meetings, and builds relationships with key persons involved in government negotiations. During the elections, we will run a voter engagement campaign on Finnish campuses together with student unions and maintain a situation room. During the government negotiations, we will amplify our message with a joint campaign event. For new Members of Parliament, we will offer both quick wins and comprehensive proposals.

I have been working on this for the entire year, and I want to see our goals reach the next government programme.

Introduce yourself and explain why you want to become the President of SYL or why you would be the best choice for the position.

Hi, I’m Joona! I’m a curious and enthusiastic person, and I’ve been described as a go-getter who takes initiative and gets things done. I know how to approach different situations with the right level of seriousness while still maintaining a sense of humour and empathy. I am an engineering student in the Urban Studies and Planning Master’s programme at Aalto University. In my free time, I like to exercise and try new sports – this summer, I really got into wakeboarding!

This year, I have served as the chair of the Aalto University Student Union (AYY), and in 2024, I was responsible for the AYY board’s housing and finance activities. One concrete example of my advocacy work is that I was able to secure meeting remunerations for student representatives in Aalto University’s administration by bringing the matter to the university board. My contribution to SYL’s management would be a strong understanding of the field and the ability to make student goals a reality together with Finland’s student unions.

How would you develop the activities of SYL, the National Union of University Students in Finland?

I would develop SYL’s activities by more actively involving our people in the field. SYL is responsible for coordinating and leading the lobbying efforts of Finnish students, and it must trust that the student unions are able to maintain a unified message. SYL could also do more to highlight the work done by student unions.

I would strengthen SYL’s position in Finnish society by more systematically involving students in popular societal debate through opinion pieces, discussion panels, and social media. Student unions should be inspired to highlight student voices by offering them training in media appearances, lobbying activities, and penning opinion pieces at our sectoral event days and seminars.

What are the next important steps in SYL’s advocacy activities?

The most important next steps are to ensure that students’ election objectives are incorporated into the next government programme and implemented through the government’s implementation and budgetary processes We must uphold free education in Finland.

Taking these steps will require offering credible solutions where decisions are actually made. We must invest in skilled closed-door lobbying, bring concrete solutions to decision-makers through drop-in sessions and call rounds, and utilise local networks by mobilising Finland’s student unions.

Introduce yourself and explain why you want to become a member of SYL’s Board or why you would be the best choice for the position?

Hi! I’m Nikola Eerola, a 29-year-old Master’s student in social work and a long-time student union activist from the University of Helsinki. I am an insightful and diligent lobbyist with a lot of heart who knows how to advocate for the right things at the right places. I have a lot of subject-matter expertise, as well as strong networks that I can use to amplify the voices of us students next year. I am applying for SYL’s Board because Finland’s students deserve me as their representative!

How would you develop the activities of SYL, the National Union of University Students in Finland?

SYL must continue its strong focus on advocacy work, as student incomes have been further weakened and the principle of free education is under fire. Finland’s student movement must remain strong so that our voices can be heard by society. We educate tomorrow’s decision-makers, which is why language and accessibility issues that affect people’s ability to participate in SYL’s activities are important areas for development.

Which sectors are you most interested in as part of the work done by SYL’s Board?

I’m open to all sectors, but I’m most interested in social policy, languages, internationality, and serving as the Vice President of SYL.

Introduce yourself and explain why you want to become a member of SYL’s Board or why you would be the best choice for the position?

My name is Mimmi Eskelä, and I serve as the second social policy officer (for housing and income) and as the officer responsible urban policy and sustainable development on the board of the Student Union of the University of Vaasa (VYY). I study economics and public management.

I have a great passion for and strong expertise in advocacy work. I have coordinated council meetings and VYY’s parliamentary election work, and I understand the importance of long-lasting and knowledge-oriented advocacy efforts. Next year’s parliamentary elections and our ability to influence the next government programme will determine the status of Finland’s students for a long time to come, and I want to do my part.

How would you develop the activities of SYL, the National Union of University Students in Finland?

I would make SYL’s activities more proactive and approachable. SYL shouldn’t just react to decisions, but also promote new opportunities for discussion and debate. I also want to strengthen SYL’s relationship with Finland’s student unions by listening to them more actively, for example through informal online coffee breaks, which can be more relaxed than in-person sectoral events.

Which sectors are you most interested in as part of the work done by SYL’s Board?

I am particularly interested in the social policy sector for housing and income, as well as the sectors that focus on internationality and sustainable development.

Introduce yourself and explain why you want to become a member of SYL’s Board or why you would be the best choice for the position?

I’m Filip, a 23-year-old political science student and long-time advocate. This year, I have served as a member of the board of the Student Union of the University of Jyväskylä (JYY), and my work focuses on higher education policy and internationalisation. I want to bring my advocacy experience to SYL, but above all, I want to use my ambition to defend free and accessible higher education for all.

How would you develop the activities of SYL, the National Union of University Students in Finland?

We must be able to articulate the objectives of the student movement in a way that will allow it to have an increasingly strong impact on political debate and decision-making. This is extremely important, especially for the upcoming spring election. In the run-up to the government negotiations, we must dare to demand more, both at the negotiation table and in public debate. In addition to issuing statements, SYL must proactively spark discussion and debate. We should focus not only on defending the goals of students, but also raising the level of ambition of Finland’s education policy.

Which sectors are you most interested in as part of the work done by SYL’s Board?

If I am elected to SYL’s Board, I want to focus on education policy, as well as on international themes, especially the ESU.

Introduce yourself and explain why you want to become a member of SYL’s Board or why you would be the best choice for the position?

I am a business administration and environmental engineering student at LUT University in Lappeenranta. During my studies, I have had the privilege of participating in many initiatives and learning a great deal along the way. I have gained a very broad perspective on the local activities of universities and their advocacy efforts, as well as the national student movement and its objectives. I am also familiar with the field of youth policy. I would be an excellent candidate for SYL, thanks to my extensive background in advocacy work and political affairs.

How would you develop the activities of SYL, the National Union of University Students in Finland?

I feel that SYL’s biggest development area is in supporting the advocacy work of student unions. Finland’s student unions could also become more active influencers, together with SYL, by sharing their best practices and engaging in active mutual discussion. This would further amplify the voice of the entire movement in today’s political landscape.

Which sectors are you most interested in as part of the work done by SYL’s Board?

I’m particularly interested in the role of Vice President and both areas of education policy, as I am already familiar with the area that focuses on the funding and structures of education.

Introduce yourself and explain why you want to become a member of SYL’s Board or why you would be the best choice for the position?

I am Emilia Kivikoski, a 25-year-old theology student and the chair of the board of the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY).

I want to use my unfaltering work ethic for the good of the entire student movement. Student matters are being increasingly decided on tight schedules, with students being consulted last. I’ve witnessed this personally, and I’m applying to SYL because things need to change.

How would you develop the activities of SYL, the National Union of University Students in Finland?

Each student union and student should identify with SYL’s message. Different student unions have access to different resources and face different challenges, which is why their situations should be reflected in SYL’s positions. SYL should speak for everyone, and it does not need to do so carefully. It must be bold and daring, and demonstrate its understanding of the everyday life and well-being of students.

Which sectors are you most interested in as part of the work done by SYL’s Board?

I am particularly interested in education policy-related themes, such as the structures and funding of education. I also have previous experience in social policy and management, which I would be happy to put into practice as Vice President.

Introduce yourself and explain why you want to become a member of SYL’s Board or why you would be the best choice for the position?

I study social sciences at Åbo Akademi University, majoring in sociology with political science and media and communication as minors. I have been active in ÅAS since 2024, serving as a board member, Board Chair and now Chair of the Council. I am brave, empathetic and honest, and good at getting people to listen and understand.

How would you develop the activities of SYL, the National Union of University Students in Finland?

I want FSF’s communication to feel relevant to students and for student unions to have more opportunities to influence and be visible in our shared work. I want to create more opportunities for collaboration through joint campaigns, videos and posts, and ensure that FSF communicates in Swedish, Finnish and English in practice.

Which sectors are you most interested in as part of the work done by SYL’s Board?

I am particularly interested in international affairs, higher education policy and communications. I want to work for the rights of international students, tuition-free education, a better financial situation for students and adequate core funding for higher education institutions.

Introduce yourself and explain why you want to become a member of SYL’s Board or why you would be the best choice for the position?

I am Iida Niva from the Student Union of the National Coalition Party and the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY). I study Finnish literature, and in HYY, my work has focused on events, new students, and tutors. I have been a member of the National Coalition Party for over 15 years, and I have forged extensive political networks.

The parliamentary elections and subsequent government negotiations will provide vital opportunities for exerting influence. Currently, education policy and student issues are not key themes on any party programmes, so we must bring our message to Finland’s political parties. I know how to organise campaign and publicity events, and I can leverage my networks to open the right doors.

How would you develop the activities of SYL, the National Union of University Students in Finland?

I want to bring SYL closer to Finland’s student unions and intensify their mutual cooperation. Today’s mentoring programmes and seminars already work well, but we need to create more opportunities for people to connect between events. The student unions and their members should see SYL as an umbrella organisation that exists to promote common goals.

Which sectors are you most interested in as part of the work done by SYL’s Board?

I am interested in language issues, associations, and education policy. When it comes to education policy, I am particularly focused on the special characteristics of different fields and advocating for students. If we do not conduct research in Finland’s national languages, then it will not happen anywhere else either.

Introduce yourself and explain why you want to become a member of SYL’s Board or why you would be the best choice for the position?

Hi! I’m Rudi Valtonen from the Student Union of Tampere University (TREY), where I serve as vice chair and the board member responsible for social affairs. I’m a fifth-year philosophy major and a Tampere native.

I’m applying to SYL’s Board to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to pursue education, regardless of their background. Education should be tuition-free, and we need to invest in students’ livelihoods and the basic activities of higher education institutions.

How would you develop the activities of SYL, the National Union of University Students in Finland?

I would further enhance the cooperation between SYL and Samok. This year, I have worked closely with the Student Union of Tampere University of Applied Sciences (Tamko), particularly on public transport advocacy and the parliamentary elections. I would like to continue this work on SYL’s Board. Although students may not always agree on every issue, the entire student movement should stand united on issues affecting student livelihoods and the principle of tuition-free education.

Which sectors are you most interested in as part of the work done by SYL’s Board?

I’m into both education and social policy. I’m interested in income and housing, as well as the funding and structures of education, and the position of Vice President.