Representative Raunio delivers a talk titled “Finland—The Country of Happiness.”

Invited by the New Taipei City Government's Secretariat, Lauri Matti Raunio, Representative of the Finland Trade Center, visited Haishan High School today (September 23) as part of the Ambassadors on Campus program. In his talk, “Finland—The Country of Happiness,” Raunio introduced the Moomins, cherished as national treasures; Finland's iconic sauna culture, with the nation boasting more saunas than cars; as well as Finland's per capita coffee consumption, the highest in the world. Through these fun facts, he explained to an audience of 200 students and teachers why Finland has been named the world's happiest country year after year. He also offered a deeper look into the country's social system, way of life, and sustainable development.

Representative Raunio explained that Finland's happiness rests on high levels of social trust, sound governance, and harmony with nature. This allows people to realize their potential and lead balanced lives in a safe and equitable environment. He also outlined Finland's efforts toward sustainable development, including its goals to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035, promote zero waste, and develop 6G networks. Noting the close economic and trade ties between Taiwan and Finland, Raunio also expressed hope that Haishan High School students would derive takeaways from Finland's life philosophy, valuing quality of life and inner fulfillment as they pursue their academic and career goals, while remaining eager to explore the world.


Representative Raunio presents small gifts featuring the Moomins, cherished as Finland's national treasures, to students who enthusiastically joined the event.

Haishan High School Principal Junshi Ye thanked the Secretariat of the New Taipei City Government for organizing the Ambassadors on Campus program, which gives the school's students and teachers a rare opportunity for international exchange. He remarked that a delegation of teachers from the school plans to visit Finland next year to conduct humanities and social science field studies. Raunio's presentation not only provided valuable preparation for the visit and curriculum design but also offered an immersive look into Nordic culture. Ye encouraged students to draw inspiration from Finland's emphasis on interdisciplinary thinking and sustainability, using this valuable cultural exchange to enrich their self-directed learning going forward. He also urged them to care for society and their local environment as they explore the world.

Especially impressed by the potential for Taiwan-Finland tech collaboration and by Finland's achievements in gender equality, high school senior Chung-Ting Sun hopes to visit the country in the future to see its unique landscapes firsthand. Fellow senior Yi-Hsuan Weng praised Finland's open approach to education, which values independent thinking, and noted that its goal of achieving net zero by 2035 serves as a valuable model for Taiwan's transition toward sustainability. Weng is also eager to travel to Finland and experience the spectacle of an icebreaker cruise.
 

Representative Raunio tests his skills against members of Haishan High School's table tennis club in a cheerful atmosphere.

Hui-Mei Juh, Director General of the Secretariat, New Taipei City Government, said the Secretariat launched the Ambassadors on Campus program this year (2026) to broaden students' and teachers' horizons by inviting foreign envoys based in Taiwan to share their firsthand diplomatic experiences. She expressed hope that these exchanges with envoys from different countries will deepen students' understanding of global issues, develop their cross-cultural communication skills and civic literacy, and help city diplomacy education take root among younger generations. The next event will feature a talk by H.E. Katherine Vanessa Meighan, Ambassador of Belize to the Republic of China, at Ger-Jyh Senior High School in Sanchong District, further preparing New Taipei's young people to engage with the wider world.　　


Representative Raunio poses for a group photo with students and teachers from Haishan High School.