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Conference

Media trust and integration

Epicenter, Mikonkatu 9, Helsinki

The Media Trust and Integration conference explores how shared understanding is formed in today’s society, especially when people may interpret trust, integration, belonging and key social issues in different ways.

Can we build a shared society if the very words we use — trust, integration, belonging — mean different things to different people?

On 11 November, researchers and experts from different fields will come together to discuss how people’s relationship with society and its institutions is shaped in an increasingly diverse Finland.

The conference will also feature the launch of Cultura Foundation’s new follow‑up study, Russian Speakers in Finland 2026. Conducted since 2022, the study provides comparable data on the views of Russian speakers living in Finland: their participation in society, relationship with Finnish institutions, trust in the media and sense of belonging.

In 2026, the study also takes a closer look at responses from young adults aged 20–29. The conference will therefore ask how young people form their understanding of society, trust and their own place within it. This theme will also be discussed through the University of Tampere’s DISCO project and research conducted in Germany.

Throughout the day, findings and observations from Finland will be placed in a broader European context. How are people’s perceptions of society shaped by media, family, school, different languages and different information environments? What helps people feel that they belong — and what creates distance?

The discussion will bring together experts from Finland and other parts of Europe. The voices of young people themselves will also be an important part of the programme.

The conference languages are Finnish and English. The event is open to everyone, but advance registration is required.

Programme

Languages: Finnish and English. Interpretation is provided from Finnish into Russian and English.

Conference moderator: Johannes Hurmas

9.30 – 10.00

Registration

10.00 – 10.15

Opening of the conference and framing of the day (in Finnish)

10.15 – 10.30

Same words, different meanings. Successful integration and trust as interpreted by different groups (in Finnish)

‑ Polina Kopylova
Expert, Cultura Foundation

10.30 – 11.15

Russian Speakers in Finland 2026. Media, institutions and belonging through the lens of the follow-up study (in Finnish)

‑ Eilina Gusatinsky
Lead Specialist, Cultura Foundation

‑ Laura Koskimies
Account Manager, Bondata

11.15 – 11.30

Questions and discussion

11.30 – 12.00

Keynote: A shared reality in a changing Finland (in Finnish)

‑ Pasi Saukkonen
Senior Researcher, City of Helsinki Executive Office

12.00 – 12.15

Questions and discussion

12.15 – 13.00

Lunch

13.00 – 13.30

Finland through an international lens. Democracy, history and belonging in European comparison (in English)

‑ Félix Krawatzek
Head of Research Cluster: Youth and Generational Change, ZOiS, Germany

13.30 – 13.45

Yleisökeskustelu

13.45 – 14.00

Between two worlds? Young people with a Russian background in Germany, social media and the formation of identity (in English)

‑ Sophia Winkler
Doctoral Researcher, ZOiS, Germany

14.00 – 14.15

A young person’s view of society is shaped from many directions. Generations, family and political socialisation in Finland (in Finnish)

‑ Josefina Sipinen
University Lecturer, Tampere University

14.15–15.00

Panel discussion: Where do young people learn to trust? Family, school, media and social media as shapers of young people’s relationship with society (in English and Finnish)

— Sophia Winkler
— Josefina Sipinen

Audience discussion

15.00 – 15.20

Nuorten viesti päättäjille. Päivän havainnot koulutuksen, osallisuuden ja suomalaisen yhteiskunnan näkökulmasta (su)

Зал: Lounge

Финальные комментарии и закрытие конференции

Places are limited — register early to secure your seat.

Speakers

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