The Year of Sivistys 2024

The aim of the Year of Sivistys was to bring up the roots of our civilised state, blow the dust off Sivistys and update the concept for the modern age. The six main themes of the year were sustainable future, equality, science, arts and culture, literacy and lifelong learning. Digitalisation and compassion were pervasive perspectives.

The Year of Sivistys was a year of events, with over 200,00 participants in Finland and abroad. The year was coordinated by the Lifelong Learning Foundation (the Kvs Foundation), which was celebrating its 150th anniversary. The year also included a touring exhibition in Finland by the Science Center for Education and Learning (SOPPI), run by the Lifelong Learning Foundation.

Wide range of actors

The practical implementation was guided by the Year of Sivistys Committee, which brought together a wide range of actors from different sectors of society. The Committee was chaired by MEP Sirpa Pietikäinen. The Ministry of Education and Culture was represented by Anita Lehikoinen, Permanent Secretary.

What is Sivistys?

Sivistys is a Finnish concept with two distinctive definitions:

1) a general societal aim and value; enlightenment

2) a specific type of person who is civilised and well-behaved, who lives in harmony with other people, wider society, and nature, and who can also contribute to the preservation and development of communities, the environment, and humankind in general.

Read more about the concept of Sivistys.