What is Familia?
Familia ry – founded in 1988 – is a national expert organisation of intercultural families. We support the wellbeing of intercultural families by offering peer support and volunteer activities, information, and advice. We also aim at making improvements in the social and legal systems, so that the needs of intercultural and multilingual families and Finns would be better met.
Intercultural families as a term, refers to families in which family members have different cultural backgrounds. This usually means, that the partners were born and raised in different countries and speak different native languages. A child or children raised by a parent (s) with different cultural background (s), are also considered part of an intercultural family. |
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News
Come and join us as advocacy volunteer!
6.2.25
Is social impact close to your heart? We are looking for advocacy volunteers to strengthen Familia's advocacy work. As an advocacy volunteer, you will be able to plan advocacy campaigns, write texts, discuss advocacy themes and do advocacy communications. The first meeting of this year will be held on February 25th from 8:00 PM to 7:30 PM via Teams, where we will discuss Familia's municipal and regional election goals, as well as what you can do as an advocacy volunteer and what is happening this year in advocacy
Read more on our webpage and register latest 23rd February from here.
6.2.25
Is social impact close to your heart? We are looking for advocacy volunteers to strengthen Familia's advocacy work. As an advocacy volunteer, you will be able to plan advocacy campaigns, write texts, discuss advocacy themes and do advocacy communications. The first meeting of this year will be held on February 25th from 8:00 PM to 7:30 PM via Teams, where we will discuss Familia's municipal and regional election goals, as well as what you can do as an advocacy volunteer and what is happening this year in advocacy
Read more on our webpage and register latest 23rd February from here.
We are looking for Peer Support Coordinator and Family Work Planning Officer!
6.2.25
We currently have two open positions. We are looking for a Peer Support Coordinator to implement and coordinate Belingual family club activities and other peer activities aimed at intercultural families. We are also looking for a Family Work Planning Officer for couple and family counseling and our anti-racist work.
Read more about our tasks on our website. The application closes on 23.2.
6.2.25
We currently have two open positions. We are looking for a Peer Support Coordinator to implement and coordinate Belingual family club activities and other peer activities aimed at intercultural families. We are also looking for a Family Work Planning Officer for couple and family counseling and our anti-racist work.
Read more about our tasks on our website. The application closes on 23.2.
Helsinki election panel in English
30.1.25 Curious about who to vote for in the municipal elections on 13 April 2025? Join us for a panel in English where you can hear directly from candidates and learn about their views on key issues that affect you, your family, and your community. This panel, hosted by Familia ry, brings together election candidates to discuss their plans and answer your questions. The discussion will be held in English. 📅 When? 12th February at 17:30 📍Where? Hybrid event: Attend in person at Familia ry’s premises (Haapaniemenkatu 7-9 B, 10th floor, 00530 Helsinki) or join us online! Read more and register |
We have moved on from X (formerly Twitter)
20.1.25
As of this week, Familia has closed its account on X. While we won’t be active on that platform anymore, you can still stay up-to-date with all our activities, events, and news through Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. We are committed to keeping our community informed and connected.
20.1.25
As of this week, Familia has closed its account on X. While we won’t be active on that platform anymore, you can still stay up-to-date with all our activities, events, and news through Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. We are committed to keeping our community informed and connected.
Familia's statement on the draft government proposal to amend the Citizenship Act
17.1.25
We stated our opinion on the proposed amendments to the Citizenship Act. Familia opposes the amendments presented in the draft proposal because they weaken people's rights without being justified by a pressing social need. Tightening the income requirement has significant disadvantages from the perspective of intercultural families. The proposed changes to the income requirement would increase the importance of employment for obtaining citizenship. The planned changes would penalize those seeking citizenship if they have not succeeded in finding employment. The Finnish labor market has a major problem with racism and discrimination, and employment is not easy for immigrants because of these.
Read the statement in full here (only available in Finnish).
17.1.25
We stated our opinion on the proposed amendments to the Citizenship Act. Familia opposes the amendments presented in the draft proposal because they weaken people's rights without being justified by a pressing social need. Tightening the income requirement has significant disadvantages from the perspective of intercultural families. The proposed changes to the income requirement would increase the importance of employment for obtaining citizenship. The planned changes would penalize those seeking citizenship if they have not succeeded in finding employment. The Finnish labor market has a major problem with racism and discrimination, and employment is not easy for immigrants because of these.
Read the statement in full here (only available in Finnish).
Upcoming first volunteer training session of the year
9.1.25
Join our first volunteer training session of the year taking place next Saturday, 8.2. Become a part of our inclusive community that values and supports individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. In the training, you will get to know Familia, meet other volunteers and get all the needed information and skills to facilitate activities.
Learn more about the training here.
9.1.25
Join our first volunteer training session of the year taking place next Saturday, 8.2. Become a part of our inclusive community that values and supports individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. In the training, you will get to know Familia, meet other volunteers and get all the needed information and skills to facilitate activities.
Learn more about the training here.
Duo Mother & Baby and Duo Toddlers group facilitator orientation day in Helsinki 4.2. and online 11.2.
8.1.25
Do you want to get to know other mothers and babies or toddlers from intercultural families? Do something meaningful during your parental leave and gain valuable experience as a facilitator? Become a Duo Mother & Baby or Duo Toddler group facilitator and start your own group with a facilitator pair!
8.1.25
Do you want to get to know other mothers and babies or toddlers from intercultural families? Do something meaningful during your parental leave and gain valuable experience as a facilitator? Become a Duo Mother & Baby or Duo Toddler group facilitator and start your own group with a facilitator pair!
Autumn meeting statement: All young Finnish people deserve to live in a society free from racism and hate speech
20.12.24
Political leaders must take responsibility for the normalization of racism and hate speech. Decision-makers, especially front-line politicians, hold significant responsibility for the language used and the behavior permitted in public discourse. By allowing racist speech, they imply it is acceptable. Mere apologies or expressions of regret are not enough. Flirting with racism must stop, and there must be genuine zero tolerance through concrete actions and meaningful interventions.
Read the whole statement here.
New board members were also elected at the autumn meeting. Jamaar D. Powe-Ignatius, Oona Foster and Sanna Airaksinen were elected as full board members for the period 2025-2026, and Adanoris Bravo Ramírez for the period 2025. Astrid Puumala-Thevenet was elected as deputy member for the period 2025-2026. The board will continue to consist of chairwoman Anu Kytömäki, full members Silvie Kroeker, Iida Dadi and deputy member Amna Al-Rahal.
20.12.24
Political leaders must take responsibility for the normalization of racism and hate speech. Decision-makers, especially front-line politicians, hold significant responsibility for the language used and the behavior permitted in public discourse. By allowing racist speech, they imply it is acceptable. Mere apologies or expressions of regret are not enough. Flirting with racism must stop, and there must be genuine zero tolerance through concrete actions and meaningful interventions.
Read the whole statement here.
New board members were also elected at the autumn meeting. Jamaar D. Powe-Ignatius, Oona Foster and Sanna Airaksinen were elected as full board members for the period 2025-2026, and Adanoris Bravo Ramírez for the period 2025. Astrid Puumala-Thevenet was elected as deputy member for the period 2025-2026. The board will continue to consist of chairwoman Anu Kytömäki, full members Silvie Kroeker, Iida Dadi and deputy member Amna Al-Rahal.
Upcoming Finnish Courses for 2025
27.1.25 Learn Finnish from the comfort of your home! We have a new online Finnish language course open for registration: Beginner's Course AK0016 (Online): Term: 1.4. - 28.5.2025 | Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday | 15.00-18.15 Registration Period: 23.1. - 26.3.2025 To learn more about these courses and registration click here. |
Familia belongs to the Diverse-Family network. The network consists of ten different family associations representing a variety of different types of families. The aim of the Diverse Families Network is a society where families are equal, and every family can be proud of itself.
JOIN US!
As a member of Familia, you are a valuable part of our community that promotes the well-being and equality of intercultural families in Finland. As a member, your voice and that of your family can be heard in the planning of services and in decision-making related to multiculturalism, multilingualism, immigration and integration, for example. As our member, you can also participate in Familia's regular meetings and thus, develop our activities. |
activities
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