“We are eager to help improve the social and economic outlook especially for young people who are often the most disadvantaged demographic” said H.E Pietikainen.

H.E Dr. Didacus Jules said opportunities existed for collaboration with Finland especially in areas of educational development given the success of the Finnish model of education.

“We will be exploring agreements in the areas of scholarships and teacher education to complement and support the work of the Commission’s Education Development Management Unit. 

The opportunity exists for a virtual training mechanism between Finland and the OECS with input from the Finnish teacher training experience.  We welcome the potential cooperation to improve the quality of educational delivery in the OECS. 

We are cognizant that any insights gained from the Finnish model need to be tempered, shaped and understood to suit the Caribbean’s educational context” said Dr. Jules”. 

Dr Jules also shared the work done to date on the Caribbean Climate Smart Coalition framework which is now undergoing a process of consultation and modification with key stakeholders in the region.

“The Coalition is designed to bring Governments of the Caribbean together with major private sector philanthropists to help make the region the world’s first climate resilient region” said Dr. Jules.

The framework presented offered areas for collaboration especially in the use of existing and new technologies which continues to be the most important export industry for the Nordic nation.

Both parties agreed to continue discussions with a view to formalizing an arrangement that would see Finland and the OECS increasingly share social, cultural and economic opportunities.