GENEVA (17 November 2023) – UN Special Rapporteur on the right to education Farida Shaheed will visit Finland from 20 to 29 November to assess strengths and challenges in the implementation of the right to education in the country.

Her visit will seek to understand the elements Finland puts into place to set up an education system that is generally applauded worldwide.

She will also address challenges faced by the most marginalised segments of society, in particular those from a minority background.

The nine-day mission will include meetings with Government officials, as well as visits to primary and secondary schools and universities. The Special Rapporteur also intends to meet civil society organisations, including teachers’ unions and students’ associations, academics and other stakeholders invested in education.

The Special Rapporteur will hold a press conference to share her preliminary observations at 14.00 local time on Wednesday 29 November, at Sokos Hotel, Kluuvikatu 8, in Helsinki. Access will be strictly limited to journalists.

The expert will present a full report on her visit to the Human Rights Council in June 2024.