The members of SYL Advisory Board for Development Cooperation for the 2025–2026 term have been selected. The Advisory Board for Development Cooperation (KENKKU) consists of student representatives appointed by different student unions. It is responsible for managing SYL’s development cooperation projects together with the board member responsible for development cooperation and development policy adviser and participates in advocacy and fundraising. Currently, SYL has an ongoing project in Ethiopia funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
The advisory board’s tasks include preparing annual reports and other project documents, communicating about sustainable development and preparing background reports for advocacy. The members of the advisory board also participate in communicating about the projects.
Venla Lehtinen (HYY) was elected chair of the advisory board.
“Internationality and development cooperation have historically been an integral part of SYL’s operations, and students have been involved in launching the current development cooperation in Finland. At this moment and in the future, we need to students to advocate for global solidarity more than ever. A year in KENKKU has taught me much about development cooperation and project management. I am excited about the coming term and the opportunities it brings,” says Lehtinen.
In addition, the following people were selected as members of the advisory board:
Akseli Stång, OYY
Claudia Gonzales, TYY
Niklas Hintsa, TYY
Kaapo Haapanen, HYY
Praise Yohannes Kassa, HYY
Emilia Enroth, ISYY
Gabriel Fiskarholm, LYY
Filip Godlewski, JYY
Iftikhar Haider, JYY
Lotta Långström, JYY
Veera Saarenheimo, AYY
Mohamed Shimer, LTKY
Nina Suonamo, LTKY
Venla Lehtinen, HYY, chair, continuing
Henna Mäkelä, LYY, continuing
Further information:
Tilda Lassila
Vice-Chairperson, communication, language issues, sustainability and development cooperation
+358 (0)44 906 5003
tilda.lassila@syl.fi
Meri Leppänen
Development Policy Adviser
+358 (0)44 780 0220
meri.leppanen@syl.fi
