Welcome to Magma

Organisation

Magma - Finland's Swedish Think Tank - is run by the Finnish-Swedish Institute’s national federation. Its activities are financed by the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland, Friends of the Swedish Elementary School, The Arts' Society Association, the Åbo Akademi University Foundation (Swedish-language university in Turku/Åbo), and the Sparbanken in Helsinki Foundation. The Think Tank’s board comprises a chair and six board members.

Magma’s board for 2010 comprises the following members: chair Roger Broo, board members Jan-Erik Andelin, Arne Wessberg, Bengt Jansson, Gunvor Kronman, Sanna Sarelius and Christel Raunio.

Personnel

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

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

Strategy

What is a think tank?

The purpose of think tanks is to bridge the gap between scientific analysis and political decision-making. This requires a combination of long-term strategic thinking and the ability to react quickly. Think tanks are not static: their objectives and makeup evolve as society and the world in general evolve. In Finland there are at present over 20 think tanks, and there are more than 5,000 around the world.

What is Magma (Finland’s Swedish Think Tank)?

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. Its objective is to pave the way for a fresh approach to the future of the Swedish language in Finland, by means of professional analysis and by stimulating debate.

What does the Think Tank do?

Magma performs an analytical function and serves as an arena for discussion. Its studies and impact and risk analyses provide a basis for decision-making. Magma also organises conferences and seminars. The results are presented on its website, in its own publications, 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.

Activities

Public opinion surveys

A survey on Finnish-language speakers’ attitudes to the Swedish language and culture in Finland has been ordered from the Finnish market-research company Taloustutkimus. The survey was performed in November and the results are being analysed by the Think Tank. Seminars based around the survey outcome will be organised for spring 2009.

A qualitative analysis of Finland’s foreign-language community’s attitude to the Swedish language and culture in Finland is being performed during 2009 in collaboration with the Helsinki Times.

Comparative study

A comparative report, which positions the Finnish Swedes in relation to other European minorities, has been ordered from Professor Sten Berglund and Kjetil Duvold, Doctor of Political Science. The report will be published in September 2009.

Focus

Based on a number of demographic, political, cultural and structural changes that are impacting the Swedish language’s status in Finland, the Think Tank has initiated four focus areas for the business year 2008-2009: 1) Public service, 2) Immigration, 3) The Metropolitan issue and 4) The landmark year 2008-2009.

All activities and associated documentation can be found here on Magma’s website, www.magma.fi