Student - Dare to speak Swedish in your studies!

Three people are talking.
Bulletin 12.11.2025

The year 2025 has the theme Year of Language Awareness at the University of Helsinki, which has inspired the Dare to speak Swedish campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to strengthen the Swedish position at the university and encourage both students and staff to use Swedish in everyday life. Languages that are seen and heard are languages that are taught! 

The campaign has been initiated by The board for the Development of Swedish affairs and Teaching and Swedish affairs. 

We will share information and tips that help students, teachers, support and expert staff and faculties to use Swedish. During the campaign, everyone is invited to take part in different challenges and share their experiences. Those who excel will be rewarded at the end of the campaign. 

How can you participate: 

  1. Visit Moodle  
    Get practical tips on how to use Swedish.
  2. Accept a challenge   
    About every two weeks we publish a new challenge that encourages the use of Swedish. Most of the challenges are for everyone, but some are targeted specifically at staff and students. Check them off on Moodle!
  3. Initiate activities  
     Organize activities, such as coffee breaks or lunches in Swedish.
  4. Share your language skills  
    Tell and show which languages you understand, speak, and/or want to learn.
  5. Get a pin/sticker/patch   
     Show your support for the campaign by getting a pin, sticker or patch. You will find them in Topelia's coffee room and the Guidance Corner in Kajsabibban. Swedish Affairs will spread them around the campus.
  6. Promote language awareness and language use  
    Be brave and use multiple languages and encourage others to do the same. 

The campaign gets visibility through video greetings from staff and students, news on the Flamma and Studies Services as well as via a campus tour.  

Dare to speak Swedish campus tour 12-16.1.2026  

In January 2026, Swedish Affairs will visit each campus to talk about the campaign. All events are drop-in, so come and stay as long as you like!  

We will hand out campaign materials and give you tips on how to use your Swedish.   

  • Meilahti Campus, Mon, Jan. 12, 2:00–4:00 p.m., location TBC
  • City Centre Campus, Tue, Jan. 13, 1:00–3:00 p.m., Guidance corner in Kajsahuset
  • Kumpula Campus, Wed, Jan. 14, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., location TBC
  • Viikki Campus, Thu, Jan. 15, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Guidance corner, Infocentre Korona, library (Viksbågen 11) 

Accept challenge number 1: Where is Swedish visible? 

Where do you see Swedish in your everyday life at the university? Take pictures during a day of Swedish at the university. Tell us where you saw Swedish, did you miss it anywhere? What languages were there instead? How can you help make Swedish more visible?  

Comment below or create a new post on Moodle and share your observations and tips for increasing the visibility of Swedish. You can also share your tips on Instagram – remember to tag @unipasvenska!  

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