Beyond Defence – Are We Really Prepared? The New Nordic Reality of Resilience

Welcome to the Beyond Defence seminar at Wasa Future Festival!

The Beyond Defence – Are We Truly Prepared? seminar invites everyone interested in security and defence to explore the role of resilience in today’s rapidly changing world.

The security environment has changed dramatically in recent years, requiring societies to prepare for an increasingly diverse range of disruptions and crises. Preparedness today extends far beyond national defence. It also encompasses security of supply, the protection of critical infrastructure, digital security, and the ability of citizens and communities to respond effectively in times of disruption.

This seminar, held as part of Wasa Future Festival, examines resilience and comprehensive security from a Nordic perspective. Throughout the day, experts from Finland and Sweden will discuss how the security landscape is evolving, what new demands this places on preparedness, and how societies can strengthen their capacity to withstand crises.

Topics include Finland’s changing security environment, household preparedness, security of supply, the role of technology, and the shared responsibility of governments, businesses, civil society, and citizens in building a resilient society. The day concludes with a panel discussion assessing Finland’s readiness to respond to current and future challenges.

Join us for timely insights and engaging discussions on one of the most pressing questions of our time: Are we truly prepared?

The seminar will be held in English. The event is open to everyone, but due to catering arrangements, we kindly ask all participants to register in advance.

Register for the seminar here!

Program

Moderator Marja-Riitta Vest, Director of Research, Development and Innovation, Vaasa University of Applied Sciences

12:00–12:15
Opening Remarks, Hannu Vahtera, President, CEO, Vaasa Applied Sciences

12:15–12:45
Thought-provoking keynote; Breaking the Security Illusion – How Did We Get Here? Colonel (ret.) Mika Hyytiäinen

12:45–13:15
Keynote: Security in Transition – New Realities of Preparedness Secretary General of the Security Committee, GSO (Colonel) Petteri Korvala.

13:15–13:30 
Comment: Turning Resilience into Competitive Advantage – Technology Industries in a Time of Global Disruptions, Akseli Koskela Director, Foresight and Preparedness Technology Industries of Finland

13:30–14:00
Break Networking and informal discussions

Sweden Rebuilds – What Works, What Doesn’t

14:00–14:30
Keynote: Uncertain Times, Uncertain Plans – How Do We Secure Society? Minna Lundgren Senior Lecturer (Sociology) RCR Centre, Mid Sweden University

14:30–15:00
Keynote: Household Preparedness: The First Line of Civil Security, Daniel Metcalfe Founder & CEO, VIVAL Corporation Ltd

15:00–15:30
Keynote: Citizen Perspective: Comprehensive Security as a Shared Effort – The roles of government, civil society, and citizens, Paula Risikko, Member of Parliament First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Chair, National Women’s Preparedness Association Chair, Finnish National Rescue Association (SPEK) Council

15:30–16:00
Panel Discussion: Are We Truly Prepared?

Moderator: Colonel (ret.) Mika Hyytiäinen.

Panelists:

• Tomi Kankainen, Program Director, Digital Defence Ecosystem (DDE)
• Minna Lundgren, RCR Centre (Mid Sweden University) ,
• Daniel Metcalfe, VIVAL Corporation Ltd,
• Markus Asikainen, Director, Defence and Security Business, Gofore
• Ilari Hatakka, COO, Suomen Erillisverkot Ltd

For more information