Welcome to Magma

What is Finland’s Swedish Think Tank Magma?

In an increasingly globalised world, tolerance and diversity provide clear and strong competitive advantages. Finland has two official languages, Finnish and Swedish. Magma’s activities are based on the understanding that bilingualism is an important feature of Finland that contributes to the country’s cultural diversity, both now and in the future. Magma is a think tank that is independent from party politics.

What does Magma do?

Magma performs an analytical function and serves as an arena for discussion. Our studies and impact and risk analyses provide a basis for decision-making. Magma also organises conferences and seminars. The results are presented on our website, in our own publications series, in articles and at public events. Magma strives to maintain a vibrant, critical and unprejudiced debate on how changes in the world and the surrounding society affect minority languages.

Most of Magma's material is published in Swedish, but also Finnish and English is used in some reports and contexts.

Reports

Magma has its own series of published reports, with about 4-6 reports published every year. Most of these are published in Swedish, usually with a summary in either Finnish or English. Brief summaries in English of each of these reports are available on this website. The themes raised in the reports relate to the situation of the Swedish-speaking population in Finland in different ways; to the Swedish language; or to other topical issues, such as immigration and economics, the raise of religion or minority language media.

Public opinion surveys

Every year, Magma orders surveys from the Finnish market-research company Taloustutkimus on areas of special interest. In past years these have covered issues such as Finnish-speakers’ attitudes to the Swedish language and culture in Finland; the Swedish-speaking population's attitudes towards immigration; and foreign-language communities’ attitudes towards the Swedish language and culture in Finland. Magma also commissions surveys in relation to political elections, in order to gain information about political trends amongst the Swedish speakers in Finland.

Comparative studies

As a way of comparing and sharing information with other communities, Magma undertakes comparative studies, such as a comparative book on national minorities in Europe. Magma has also participated in publications on inter alia the Icelandic financial crisis and the raise of populism in Europe.

Organisation

Magma is run by the Finnish-Swedish Institute’s national federation and its activities are financed by five different foundations (Svenska Kulturfonden, Svenska folkskolans vänner, Föreningen Konstsamfundet, Stiftelsen för Åbo Akademi and Stiftelsen Tre Smeder). The Think Tank’s board has six members and a chairperson.

Contact

For further information, please contact Den här e-postadressen är skyddad från spam bots, du måste ha Javascript aktiverat för att visa den , or get in touch with any of us below.

E-mail is in the form of name.surname @ magma.fi.

Nils Erik Forsgård, Director
Tel.: +358 (0)50 338 6963

Olav S. Melin, Society and Media Relations
Tel.: +358 (0)40 351 7325

Björn Sundell, Social Analysis and Study
Tel.: +358 (0)50 594 7550

Martina Harms-Aalto, Programme Manager (Magma-Akademin)
Tel.: +358 (0)40 596 0029

Lia Markelin, Coordinator
Tel.: +358 (0)40 725 1775

Helena Slater, Assistant
Tel.: +358 (0)44 257 8065