FACC Newsletter - Xmas 2007

FACC AGM 2007

On 8 November 2007 the Chamber held its Annual General Meeting at the premises of Maddox Lawyers in Sydney. As part of the formal procedure of the evening the President of the Chamber, Silke Koernicke, presented the President's Report and the Treasurer Joakim Westerholm outlined the Chamber's audited accounts. Copies of both of these documents can be obtained on request from the secretary under the email info@finland.com.au.

Based on the nominations which were received the new Committee members for the coming year are as follows:

• Silke Koernicke (TressCox): President
• Geoff Charnock (Maddox): Secretary
• Joakim Westerholm: Treasurer
• Juha Pyykko (Finnish Embassy): Committee member
• Ilkka Hakkinen (Finnish Consulate): Committee member

The Committee members look forward to working with and for our members in the coming year. Please note that we have vacancies on the Committee. If any of our members are interested in joining the Committee please let the Secretary know under the email address mentioned above.

Once the formal part of the AGM was completed, the members enjoyed the company of the special guest Australian filmmaker Joanna Buggy who presented an extract from her documentary film '4' filmed in Finnish Lapland. Joanna has been a frequent visitor to Finland over the past four years as she and, director and co-producer, Tim Slade put the finishing touches to their feature documentary, '4'. Filmed in Australia, Japan, the USA and Finland, '4' recently screened at the Sydney Film Festival and at a number of theatres around Australia to rave reviews.

Ian Neuss and Penny Young, Redgate Resources Pty Ltd, Robyn Scott, Ahlstrom,ja Kari Airas, Ilmo Services	Joakim Westerholm, Senior Lecturer, University of Sydney, Valtteri Hirvonen Embassy of Finland
Silke Koernicke Tresscox(Chair) Elise Springett, The Consulate of Finland	Katja Kuuppelomäki, Embassy of Finland, Ilkka Hakkinen The Consulate of Finland
Geoff Charnock Partner Maddocks, Ilkka Hakkinen The Consulate of Finland , Silke Koernicke Tresscox

90th ANNIVERSARY YEAR OF INDEPENDENT FINLAND

In 2007, Finland is celebrating the 90th anniversary of its independence. Proclaiming independence in the throes of the Russian revolution of 1917 was a courageous step in an uncertain situation, with no guarantee of success. In later years, independence has been celebrated in a spirit of solemnity, remembering and giving thanks for those who defended the country during the Second World War. The people of Finland are unanimous that the independence the country gained in 1917 is the basis for its subsequent success, prosperity and wellbeing. The popular movement for celebrating independence and the 90th jubilee year will be marked in a relaxed, good-natured manner under the slogan Me/Vi (the Finnish and Swedish words for 'we'.) One of the most popular TV programs in Finland is the Independence Day reception held by the President Tarja Halonen on December 6 at the Presidential Palace. Guests are crème de la crème representing Finnish business, culture, sports and politics. President Tarja Halonen and her husband Pentti Arajärvi

Formula One World Champion Kimi Raikkonen and wife Jenni Dahlman Kirsti Paakkanen ( Former CEO of Marimekko) President Tarja Halonen

FINNISH KIDS NR 1 IN OECD STUDY

Success by Finnish schoolchildren in the latest survey of the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in the natural sciences has set a new record. PISA assesses every three years how far students near the end of compulsory education (15 -years old) have acquired some of the knowledge and skills that are essential for full participation in society.

The Finnish result is significantly better than that of any of the other 56 countries surveyed. Finland came out on top with 653 points, 21 points ahead of runner-up Hong Kong. Finnish pupils were also seen to have a more positive attitude toward studying the sciences than those of other OECD countries. Australia, also scored above the OECD average of 500 score points.

On average across OECD countries, 1.3% of 15-year-olds reached Level 6 of the PISA 2006 science scale, the highest proficiency level. These students could consistently identify, explain and apply scientific knowledge, and knowledge about science, in a variety of complex life situations. In New Zealand and Finland this figure was at least 3.9%, three times the OECD average. In the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan and Canada, as well as the partner countries/economies Liechtenstein, Slovenia and Hong Kong-China, between 2 and 3% reached Level 6.

More information: www.pisa.oecd.org

NOKIA'S VISIONS FOR THE MOBILE INDUSTRY

At the annual Nokia World conference in Amsterdam, The Netherlands on DEC 4 2007, Nokia outlined its vision for the mobile industry, predicting rapid change driven by the convergence of mobility and the internet, and the need for the industry to make an increasing contribution to environmental sustainability.

Company announced Nokia Comes With Music, a revolutionary program that enables people to buy a Nokia device with a year of unlimited access to millions of tracks from a range of great artists - past, present and future.

Nokia also gave further details of the upcoming Ovi Internet services environment. Ovi, meaning 'door' in Finnish, enables consumers to easily access their existing social network and content, acting as a dashboard to a person's life.

Nokia also outlined its long heritage in addressing environmental issues and commitment to driving new initiatives in the mobile industry in areas such as energy efficiency, materials used in products, take back, recycling, and packaging. This was against the background of the launch of the Nokia 3110 Evolve, a mobile device with bio-covers made from more than 50% renewable material. The device is presented in a small package made of 60% recycled content and it comes with Nokia's most energy efficient charger yet, using 94% less energy than the Energy Star requirements*.

FINLAND FACES A CHALLENGING OSCE CHAIRMANSHIP YEAR

Finland will hold the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) next year 2008. The question of Kosovo, so-called frozen conflicts, and the fate of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe will be prominent issues during Finland's chairmanship next year. The OSCE is a unique forum where 56 States can discuss international security issues. The United States, Russia as well as States of Europe, Central Asia and the Southern Caucasus are members of the organization.

For more information: www.formin.fi

AUSSIE MOVIE"4"FILMED IN FINLAND

One of this years great movies that partly takes place in Finland is the film called 4. Director Tim Slade, working with Co-Producer Joanna Buggy, visited four countries, in four different seasons via Vivaldi's famous work, seeing the seasons through the talents of a particular violinist in each country beginning with spring in Tokyo. They produced a wonderfully rich documentary that sweeps you away with fascinating characters, fine music and glorious images. Vivaldi's The Four Seasons and four outstanding violinists are the threads that weave this exploration of how nature shapes who we are. As spring reaches Tokyo, violinist Sayaka Shoji demonstrates to her young students the timeless lessons in the music and in their own culture. Niki Vasilakis and friends travel from all corners of Australia to the far north to share the music of summer with the Thursday Island Community. As the leaves turn, Cho-Liang (Jimmy) Lin and his neighbours reveal to us their New York City's vibrant, complex personality. Finally, in the icy reaches of Finnish Lapland, Pekka Kuusisto and his colleagues bring the warmth of music and human interaction to the small local community. The movie was also broadcasted on SBS TV on 12 Dec 2007. Visit http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s1973532.htm to see what ABC's film critics Margaret and David said about "4"

Joanna Buggy

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY 2008

The Board of FACC is sending warm Holiday Greetings to the FACC members and their families. The FACC event calendar for 2008 is busy and we look forward to seeing all members at the 2008 events.

FACC EVENTS 2008

Following FACC events have been scheduled for 2008:

• March 13, 6-8pm
  Arktik Designs @ home
  Shop 2, 198 Mona Vale Road, St Ives, NSW
• April 10, 6-8pm
  Networking Drinks
  The Attic Bar
  The Arthouse Hotel, 275 Pitt Street, Sydney
• May 15, 6-8pm
  StoraEnso @ home
  Level 17, 8-20 Napier Street, North Sydney
• June 19, 6-8pm
  Networking Drinks
  The Attic Bar
  The Arthouse Hotel, 275 Pitt Street, Sydney
• August
  Luncheon
  Nokia @ home
  Nokia House, Level 6, 19 Harris Street, Pyrmont NSW
• September 18, 6-8pm
  Networking Drinks
  The Attic Bar
  The Arthouse Hotel, 275 Pitt Street, Sydney
• October 30, 6-8pm
  Annual General Meeting
  Details TBA
• November
  Harbour Cruise with the Europeans
  Details TBA
• 6 December
  Celebrating 90 Years of Independence

FACC BOARD 2006-2007

The board members can be contacted at info@finland.com.au