The Deputy-Speakers of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament invite all FEP communities around the world to the eleventh plenary session, which will be held as a hybrid meeting on the 8th of November 2025
Dear Finnish expatriate communities,
The 11th plenary session of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament (FEP) will convene on the 8th of November 2025. The meeting place is conveniently located in Espoo, Finland, from where we aim to build virtual connections with all participants around the world.
We will provide more detailed information as the preparations for the session progresses. This invitation contains information on registering for the session and the due date for submitting motions. We are turning a new page in the history of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament, and in addition to committee work, a proposal for reforming our constitution is on the agenda.
We, the deputy speakers, want to maintain the Finnish Expatriate Parliament as a messenger in Finland for our communities and we believe that together and with a spirit of cooperation we will succeed.
A warm welcome to the 11th plenary session of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament!
- Barbro Allardt Ljunggren (Deputy Speaker, Swedish-speaking Finns abroad)
- Irina Ilmokari (Deputy Speaker, Canada)
- Jouni Juntunen (Deputy Speaker, Australia and Asia)
- Sakari Neuvonen (Deputy Speaker, Eastern Europe)
- Seija Sjöstedt (Deputy Speaker, Northern Europe)
- Marko Suomalainen (Deputy Speaker, Southern Europe, Africa and Middle East)
- Kari Henrik Tumelius (Deputy Speaker, Central Europe)
- Hanna Wagner (Deputy Speaker, USA and Latin America)
This invitation has been presented in accordance with Article 3 of the Constitution of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament.
Participation
Each Finnish organisation abroad that has ratified the constitution of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament is entitled to send a representative from its membership to the session as follows:
- The number of community members is less than 500: one representative
- The number of community members is over 500: two representatives
- The number of community members is over 1,000: three representatives
One person can represent several organisations. However, they only have one vote in any parliamentary voting. The organisation can also send observers to the session. Observers do not have the right to speak or vote in the plenary session, but they do have the right to speak in the committee with the permission given by its chair. Note: The number of participating observers may have to be restricted at the 11th plenary session if it exceeds the technical capacity of the meeting platform.
The remote session of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament will be held on an electronic meeting platform. The meeting organiser will strive to ensure that the FEP communities’ electronic participation and voting rights are implemented in a manner comparable to a traditional session. The right to speak can be exercised using the microphone of a computer, tablet or smartphone, or using the chat function, or alternatively via text message.
How to register for the FEP session
1. Three months before the session, by the 8th of August 2025:
Community registration
At this stage, it is important to know how many communities plan to attend and how many representatives and observers they will send to the session. Communities register with their regional deputy speaker. Note: We may have to limit the number of observers. The community registration form can be downloaded from the Documents page.
2. Six weeks before the session, by the 27th of September 2025:
Personal registration
The regional deputy speaker will be notified of the names of those individuals who will participate in the session as representatives or observers, either in person or remotely. Committee selection and interpretation needs, for each individual, must also be notified by the 27th of September 2025. We will send a registration form to those communities that have registered to participate.
Motions by 8th of August 2025
According to the constitution, every organisation that has ratified the FEP rules, the speakers and the Finland Society have the right to submit motions for consideration by the parliament. Motions are submitted to the regional deputy-speakers three months before the session, i.e. by the 8th of August. The motion form can be downloaded from the Documents page.
The USP world regions’ own Regional Meetings
Regional meetings that prepare the session for only those participating in the session are held at the invitation of the vice-president. The times will be announced later.
More detailed information about the meeting program will be provided later
Program information will be sent separately to those who have registered for the session.
Finnish Expatriate Parliament resolution 12/2021 has progressed
FEP resolution 12/2021
The Finnish Expatriate Parliament calls on the Ministry of the Interior to continue its investigation actively and in an accelerated manner so that a Finnish passport can be issued for ten years, as is the practice in most other countries.
Ministry of the Interior to prepare legislative amendment to extend passport validity to 10 years
Ministry of the Interior press release 12 June 2025
Bank Webinar
Friends of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament organised a banking webinar on March 16, 2025. We discussed problems related to Finnish citizens living abroad dealing with Finnish banks. After becoming a member, you can request the webinar material from us.