"Everyone deserves respectful and equal treatment" – Welcome to the University’s Pride events!

This year, the theme of the University's Pride programming is ‘Science without borders’. The aim is to highlight the special societal duty of the University community to serve as an example in strengthening equality and diversity as well in preventing racism and discrimination.

“Everyone deserves respectful and equal treatment. As a minority studies researcher, I hope that particular attention will be paid to groups who have to fight for their place in many ways. These groups include gender and sexual minorities, people from immigrant backgrounds and the Sámi community,” says Vice-Rector Hanna Snellman, who is in charge of equality and diversity at the University.

According to Viena Pentikäinen, the board member responsible for social policy at the Student Union of the University of Helsinki, being able to come to the campus and attend teaching as your true self without fear is important from the student perspective.

“Equality for students can manifest in quite everyday situations: you can be part of the University community under your real name, University facilities take diversity into consideration, and course material takes into account a multitude of viewpoints. Equality nevertheless remains too often unrealised, which is why it’s important to empower students to bring up issues as they face them. Many students may be unfamiliar with the University’s internal principles or sources of support, making it important to communicate on them to students increasingly effectively. This way, we can together make our University more equal as a community,” Pentikäinen adds.

University values as a basis for public engagement

Research, teaching and the University’s role in public engagement are ways in which the University and its community can make the world a better place. In the current geopolitical circumstances, highlighting expertise in this theme is essential. The University’s values – truth, Bildung, freedom and inclusivity – lay a solid foundation for our efforts.

These efforts are supported by taking into account the wellbeing of both staff and students who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. This is one of the key measures under the focus area entitled ‘Promoting a diverse, accessible, non-discriminatory and anti-racist study and work culture’ in the University’s new equality and diversity plan for 2025–2028. Among other things, all members of the University community can join the Pride parade alongside the Student Union of the University of Helsinki.

Join us in Pride

The University of Helsinki Pride 2025 programme includes a variety of events:

• 17.6.2025 at 14.00–15.30, Science without borders main event, programme (join on Zoom) :
  • Opening words
  • The QueerMieli project of the Nyyti association, project leader Anders Huldén
  • Support for student wellbeing, University Pedagogy Lecturer Henna Asikainen
  • Panel discussion and audience questions, hosted by Martina Westman
  • Final words
• 25.6.2025 at 15.00–17.00 Pride café in the Guidance Corner of Kaisa House (3rd floor, Fabianinkatu 30)
• 28.6.2025 participation in the Pride parade with the Student Union of the University of Helsinki
• 24.6.–29.6.2025 University of Helsinki will be flying the flag for equality on all campuses

We follow the principles of a safer space in all our events.

To celebrate Pride Month we have put together a wide range of reading recommendations for the University Library's Rainbow Shelf. Here you will find reading tips on queer research and other nonfiction, and also queer memoirs and fiction.

Organizers: Equality and Diversity Committee (UH), Luomus, Student Union of the University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Library.

For more information, please contact: tasa-arvovastaava@helsinki.fi

Welcome

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Photo: Anniina Sjöblom (University of Helsinki)

(This news item was first published on May 23, 2025 and updated on June 13, 2025.)