Finnish Delegation Profile

The Finnish delegation, made up five brilliant students from Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu, is united by a shared passion for politics, international relations, and shaping the future of the European Union. Minttumaari Anttila (AFET), Selma-Amanda  Helström (FEMM), Noomi Linjama (EMPL), Aino Ojanperä (LIBE) and Toivo Saarikoski (AFCO) will come all the way from up north and bring Finnish perspective to this

Euro-Mediterranean MEP session. 

They all have participated in last year’s MEP national session or European Youth Parliament (EYP) regional session in Finland. Through their participation in last year’s MEP national session or the EYP regional session, they have gained confidence, sharpened their critical thinking, and developed a deeper understanding of how the EU operates —motivating them to return for this conference.  

As a group, they share common values related to environment and equality which they aim to uphold in Madrid as well. One of their strengths as a delegation is that they all come from the same school, meaning they already know each other. The high school they represent is known for its strong foreign language focus and active participation in social engagement activities. Last year, they hosted students from Spain and gained many new insights from the experience. 

The delegation is looking forward to this conference full of excitement and eagerness. Their collective goals are to improve their debating and communication skills, build new connections and have fun. For Noomi this is just not about the debate and policy —"I want to make new friends!" she says, capturing the team’s enthusiasm for meeting fellow participants. They are also excited to visit Spain and learn about its culture and history. 

As a Nordic delegation, they bring a complementary point of view to discussions on European security and cooperation —especially as Finland is the only country at this MEP that shares a border with Russia. While each delegate will contribute within their own committee, they are eager to exchange ideas, challenge viewpoints, and build lasting connections. 

The delegation regards this conference as a good occasion for a young European, as Aino puts it "This is a wonderful opportunity to transcend national borders and foster a new sense of European unity." This mindset reflects the very spirit of the delegation: eager to collaborate, debate, and bring fresh perspectives to the Mediterranean MEP.