Hanken Insights: Building resilience amid geopolitical and economic turbulence
Esa Pulkkinen, permanent secretary of the Finnish Ministry of Defence and chair of the Security Committee, delivered the keynote speech, noting that Finland’s security environment has fundamentally changed in recent years.
“Safeguarding Finland’s security requires navigating a rapidly changing global operating environment that is difficult to predict. It is characterised by problems that concern the whole of humanity, such as increasingly complex security threats, increased strategic competition and polarisation, as well as climate change and biodiversity loss.”
Pulkkinen noted that Finland’s approach to security is unique.
“The vital functions of society are taken care of in collaboration between the authorities, business community, organisations, and citizens in all circumstances and at all levels of society. Comprehensive security forms the foundation of resilience in Finnish society.”
Looking ahead, Pulkkinen stressed the importance of foresight, adaptability, and unity.
“We must continue to strengthen our ability to anticipate emerging threats, respond decisively, and maintain the trust of our citizens. Comprehensive security is not a static achievement, it is a daily commitment, much like democracy itself.”
Pulkkinen also highlighted psychological resilience - the ability of individuals, communities and society to withstand the stress caused by crisis situations and to recover from their impacts.
“My concern is the youngsters. Can we offer a glimpse of light on the horizon so that young people can still trust they have a good future ahead of them? I feel it is the responsibility of all of us with more life experience to take this approach for the youngsters.”
The future of critical functions
Christian Fjäder, CEO of Geostrategic Intelligence Group Ltd and professor of practice at Hanken, together with Hanken postdoctoral researcher Virva Tuomala, presented the project The Future of Critical Functions (FUFU). The project addresses the need to redefine and secure Finland’s critical societal functions in the face of digitalisation, geopolitical tensions, and global uncertainties. The project supports national strategies in comprehensive security, societal resilience, and security of supply.
The event concluded with a panel discussion featuring ambassadors from four countries in the region: Peter Ericson, ambassador of Sweden to Finland, Janne Jõesaar-Ruusalu, ambassador of Estonia to Finland, Jakob Nymann-Lindegren, ambassador of Denmark to Finland and Wegger Chr. Strømmen, ambassador of Norway to Finland.
The seminar was organised in cooperation with the Anders Wall Foundation, and welcoming remarks were given by the foundation’s director, Cecilia Wikström, and Hanken’s Rector Ingmar Björkman. The host of the event was Charlotta Collén, director of the Office for Research and International Affairs at Hanken.
Text: Jessica Gustafsson
Photo: Gustaf Hafström