PR TIMES AFRICA PRTimesAfrica (March 2016) | Page 53

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED:
WHAT AFRICA CAN
LEARN FROM
FINLAND’S RISE FROM
A BACKWATER ECON-
OMY IN THE 1960’S TO
THE VERY TOP
Finland, like most African countries, was for cen-
turies under the rule of bigger powers, serving as
a source of primary products for the super powers
of the time. Finland, which was under the rule of
Sweden and later Russia, was mainly coveted by
the rest of the world for her rich forests which was
a source of wood and tar for much of Europe. The
country declared independence from Russia in
1917 and has since moved from being an agrarian
and primary producer to a knowledge based devel-
oped economy through political stability, gender
equality and investment in health, education and
innovation.
Finland, the birth place of the popular Sauna, the
nation with the best primary education system
and the most stable country continues to be at or
near the top of every human development index
measurement. Africa indeed has a lot to learn from
this country of five million people and few natural
minerals, but has made it a priority to preserve the
lives of its citizens and educate them to develop
their natural abilities for the development of their
country.
POLITICAL STABILITY
Finland has been name the most sustainable
country in the world, being the only country in the
world to receive the status of “very sustainable”
according to the fragile states index 2015. This has
been a reward of years of strengthening democrat-
ic institutions and running a transparent society
built on equality before the law has entrenched a
culture of peaceful coexistence among its people
and earned the country the status of the 3rd least
corrupt country according to The Corruption Per-
ception Index 2014.
GENDER EQUALITY
It was no coincidence that the World Economic Fo-
rum ranked Finland 2nd in Gender Equality, as the
country was the first in the world to legalize voting
rights for women and the country also made an
early start to girl child education. Women consti-
tute 43% of the 200 members of parliament, which
is the highest decision making body of Finnish
government. The welfare state from 1945 onwards
is largely considered a “women’s project”.
EDUCATIONAL CENTRICITY
An early adopter of compulsory childhood edu-
cation, Finland is recognised the world over as a
heavy investor in education, science and research,
with all children, regardless of social or financial
status , are afforded the same quality of education.
Finland’s transformation from a supplier of raw
materials to an innovation cannot be divorced from
its strong focus on a solid education for its people.
Firm in the conviction that knowledge improves
labour productivity & creates wealth, education has
and continues to be a key driver of economic strat-
egy. Finns are the world record holders in number
53 | PRTIMES AFRICA MARCH 2016