Annually, the Faculty of Education and Psychology organises the SDG4 seminar following the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 4: “Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all”. This year, our theme is ‘Equity in Education’.
Based on the Global Education Monitoring Report, equity is defined through measurable progress in reducing educational disparities between different student groups across gender, socioeconomic status, geography, disability, and ethnicity. Since equity is a contextual phenomenon, inclusive consideration of variations and different voices is crucial to ensure that no one is left behind.
We warmly welcome all of you who are interested in equity and access in education, where we invite diverse approaches, actions, and global cases that will guide our collaborative exploration for supporting inclusive and equitable quality education.
This seminar is an international participatory two-day hybrid event with keynotes, workshops, roundtables, and entertainment. Whether you are a student, researcher, teacher, educator, or merely curious, come and lend your voice. “All Means All” is only realized when we act together. 2026 SDG4 seminar is also a home for the Nordplus funded Nordic Antiracism in Teacher Education (ARTE) network meeting.
The schedule below provides an overview of the planned events, and specific details for each session will be updated soon.”
| Time | Day 1 - Wednesday, 18th November |
| 10.30-11.00 | Seminar info desk opens in the Ruusupuisto lobby |
| 11.00- 11.30 |
Welcome and Introduction (E101 Aula – hybrid)
|
| 11.30- 13.00 |
Keynote (E101 Aula – hybrid) Presentation 1: Title (TBA)
Presentation 2: Title (TBA)
|
| 13.00-14.00 | Lunch (own cost) |
| 14.00-15.30 |
Parallel Workshops Workshop 1: Title (TBA)
Workshop 2: Title (TBA)
Workshop 3: Title and Speaker (TBA) Workshop 4: Title and Speaker (TBA) Workshop 5: Title and Speaker (TBA) |
| 15.30-15.45 | Break |
| 15.45- 17.00 |
Panel Discussion (E101 Aula – hybrid) Multi-Layer Perspectives on Marginalized Learners: Understanding Barriers and Advancing Educational Equity Convenor: TBA |
| 17.00-18.30 | Networking Event (refreshments provided) (E101 Aula – in-person) |
| Day 2 - Thursday, 19th November | |
| 09.00-10.00 |
Keynote (E101 Aula – hybrid) Cracks in the image of the educational model country: (anti-)racism in Finnish basic education
|
| 10.00-11.30 |
Parallel Workshops Workshop 1: Student Thesis Presentation [1] Workshop 2: Student Thesis Presentation [2] Workshop 3: Student Thesis Presentation [3] Workshop 4: |
| 11.30- 12.30 | Lunch (own cost) |
| 12.30- 14.00 |
Panel Discussion (E101 Aula – hybrid) Internationalization and Recruitment – How can Higher Education Institutions ensure equity in Finland?
Finland increasingly positions itself as an attractive destination for international students. While the internationalization agenda has expanded opportunities for students from around the world to study in Finland, it is evident that access to higher education alone does not guarantee equitable outcomes. International students (may) face vulnerabilities related to social isolation, limited support networks, discrimination, financial pressures and challenges in navigating unfamiliar educational, administrative, and labour-market contexts. Students receiving scholarships that only partially cover their tuition fees may experience considerable pressure to progress successfully in their studies while simultaneously securing sufficient income to support themselves. In some cases, these vulnerabilities can increase the risk of exclusion, precarious living conditions, and exploitation. These challenges very often affect students from the Global South, who already have invested significant financial, social, and personal resources in pursuing a degree and building a future in Finland. In addition, these students may feel a strong sense of responsibility towards family members who have contributed financially to their education, creating further pressure to succeed. This roundtable examines the relationship between internationalization, equity, integration and student protection in Finnish higher education. The session explores how institutions, and universities more specifically, can move beyond student recruitment and academic support to foster genuine inclusion, labour-market readiness, social belonging, safety, and well-being. The roundtable discussion asks: What responsibilities do higher education institutions have to ensure that international students can study, work, and live safely in Finland without facing exploitation, vulnerability and exclusion? And how can these responsibilities be translated into concrete practices and support structure? Taking a critical perspective on this highly relevant societal issue, the roundtable places international students' experiences, safety and protection at the center of the conversation. Through student voices, expert insights and audience participation, the session invites participants to reflect how Finland can move from providing access to education towards ensuring equitable opportunities, meaningful inclusion and long-term well-being for all students. The goal is to identify concrete actions that higher education institutions and their partners can take to strengthen support systems, promote ethical internationalization, and advance educational equity. Panellists:
|
| 14.00-15.30 |
Coffee Break (provided) Learning Café (E101 Aula – hybrid) Feedback session (E101 Aula – hybrid) |
| 15.30-16.00 |
Closing Words (E101 Aula – hybrid)
|
