On 4-5 November 2017, CPPFS Fellow Linda Hyökki gave a youth workshop, “Muslim Futures in Finland”, hosted by the Muslim Students Network in Finland (Suomen muslimiopiskelijoiden verkosto). Following the aim of the CPPFS to empower and mobilize marginalized groups in Futures Literacy, Linda Hyökki and the workshop participants spent two days full of inspiring discussion on alternative and preferred futures for young Muslims of Finland. The focus of discussion was on the challenges Finnish Muslim youth faces as well as the local impact of global and regional changes in economics, culture, politics and religion. The workshop program included on the first day plenary sessions and group exercises using established tools such as Trends Analysis and Emerging Issues Analysis; e.g. microchips, gender-neutrality, halal tourism and religious education in schools. The second was spent with the exercise of drafting a Finland 2040 Vision. This included a selection of values, actions and structures that support the group’s preferred vision of futures; for instance, preserving a good environmental conscience, sustainable housing and financial services, strengthening of social solidarity among Muslims and non-Muslims, as well as building a stable Finnish Muslim identity.
