Etusivu

Working Towards A Sustainable Future!

SHALIN Finland promotes social, environmental and economic justice to all people.

Our Values
Are to make a difference, fight for the most marginalised, be gender sensitive, open to change and learn through nurturing collaboration

ADVOCACY

We are influencing Government environmental and specifically forest policies and programs to maximize our impact in favour of the marginalised, disadvantaged and for a sustainable environment.

While at the same time integrating different knowledge systems (Indigenous) and sharing good practice from our work experiences and partner exchanges.

PARTNERSHIPS

We are working with like-minded entities (CSOs, universities, civil society bodies) to develop and explore the best synergies in our combined and co-ordinated work efforts.

Our partners, partner groups and collaborative institutions should be accountable and transparent not only on paper but in action(s).

Organisation: Shalin Finland was registered in Helsinki, Finland in 2003 as a not for profit organisation.

With an open mind, we look for solutions and working methods, while cooperating with a wide range of partners. We focus on local solutions to challenges presented by environmental change and development induced poverty from a holistic and ecological perspective.

 

To attain sustainability, the corner stone of our work is the respect for local people, their knowledge and a critical realistic representation in the decision making locally.

"Dealing with Barriers to Renewable Energy in Africa:

Networking for A Global Access to Energy”

Date: Thursday 3 May 2012

Time: 15:00-18:30

Venue: Andorra Cultural Center, Helsinki

Organisers SHALIN Finland and World Vision

"As light touches everyone’s life, renewable energy opens opportunities for the most vulnerable in the society, mothers, children, indigenous people etc. Energy cuts across poverty, health, education, environment...It is a fundamental human right"

It is estimated that 72 % of people in Sub-Sahara Africa do not have access to electricity (or modern energy services). At the same time, Africa has the world’s largest technical potential for renewable energy power generation. If only a portion of the potential for renewable energy in Africa is harnessed, it can power the world.

Despite this huge potential, access to Renewable Energy remains a major challenge in Africa. Based on the current investment and development trends less than half of African countries will reach universal access to energy by 2050. A UN report in 2002 showed that SA represented 45% of the total installed energy in Africa with North Africa representing 31%, the rest of Africa was a mere 24%. Energy poverty means the poor continue to be deprived of opportunities to improve their living standards, are exposed to health risks, poor services both in health and education and the state of the environment continues to deteriorate.

Drawing on expert views and opinions, the panelists will discuss how the untapped potential and the existing barriers can be turned into opportunities that facilitate a global access to renewable energy. From knowledge, financing and pricing, marketing, policy, climate instruments, technical expertise to process management, the panelists will seek to underpin the roles of the different players along the RE value chain in facilitating the penetration of renewable energy into the the far flung areas as well as within the urban settings.

What are the factors affecting RE uptake, deployment, market penetration in Africa? Why is this huge potential not being transformed into ventures, businesses and services to meet this urgent need? Whose role is it to make this transformational change

THE PROGRAMME

15:00-15:05     Introduction by Moderator: Tuomas Forsell (MTV 3 News Producer)

15:05 -15:15     Over view of Renewable Energy in Africa:  The state of the  art. Anu Hassinen - Energy Adviser Ministry for Foreign Affairs

15:15-15:25     Working on RE and North Africa: The case of the Desertec Project  (Leila Costelle: PhD researcher): Promoting a comprehensive solutions that combat global climate change, ensures energy security and promotes development.

15:25-15:35     Water, Wind, and Waste: Research Cooperation for Change: Research funding in Renewable Energy, with specific reference to the ERAfrica project (www.erafrica.eu) UNiPID Melissa Plath:

15:35-15:45     A profile of renewable energy for Ghana:  The role of the Chamber of Commerce in closing the gap on access to renewable energy: Sarah Laaru Mwaawaaru

15.45-15:55    Connect: Co-creation  of market modes in Developing Countries: Finnish Renewable Energy SMEs.   Eija Laitinen  (HAMK- The Renewable Energy Project).

15:55-16:05     “Simple solutions, big impact: Tracing the value of renewable energy intervention in a childs life”  Saara Nokelainen - World Vision

16:05-16:15     Lumivio oy: Designing energy systems for the low earners in Africa:  Affordable Solar solutions for All. Rasmus Lampen CEO, Lumivio Oy

16:15-1630      Q an A

16:30-17:10     Wine and Networking

17:15-18:40     Sex, Okra & Salted Butter (Chad, 2008) 81 minutes

?

 

Profile of the PANELISTS

Ms Anu Hassinen, adviser at the MFA. Is the energy adviser at the department for development policy of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. She has fifteen years of experience in developing clean energy technical assistance and R&D&I projects both in Finland and with UNDP. Her current work is focused on providing advice within and outside the Ministry on developing and implementing Finnish development policy and programmes on energy sector with focus on energy access, renewable energy and energy efficiency. She is also representing the Ministry at the governing boards of the EU Energy Initiative, the EU-Africa Energy Partnership and the World Bank Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme. Ms. Hassinen is one of the founding members of SHALIN Suomi and has worked with an NGO in Costa Rica as well. In her early career, Ms. Hassinen worked several years in risk management and financial control in private, financial and insurance companies. She has a Master’s degree in international economics and MBA in finance

Ms Leila Costelle graduated from University of Helsinki as a Doctor of materials physics in December 2011. She is currently a research fellow at the Tampere University of Technology. Her present research is related to the fabrication and service performance of advanced materials for demanding applications, with an emphasis on the sustainable life cycle performance of materials and on material solutions for energy saving, safety and environmental friendly applications. She is an active member and project manager at the Vision and Action Association in Grombalia (Tunisia), where she undertakes actions and organizes events related to the environment and the sustainable development. She is also an active member of the Finnish network of the Anna Lindh Foundation for the dialogue between cultures, which facilitates and supports the action of civil society of the Euro-Mediterranean Region.

Ms Melissa Plath; is a Project Coordinator for the Finnish University Partnership for International Development (UniPID), responsible for the FP7-funded projects CAAST-Net and ERAfrica. Her work currently focuses on supporting and enhancing research cooperation between Europe and Africa, including through research funding. Melissa holds a Master's Degree in Social Sciences, with a specialization in Development and International Cooperation from the University of Jyväskylä.

Saraa Nokelainen: World Vision's Programme Officer for Uganda, Focal point of environmental and climate matters. World Vision Uganda is currently piloting, how to use renewable energy solutions to help families focus more of their resources for the well-being of children. Saara holds a Master's Degree in Social Sciences.

Saarah Laaru: Finnish Ghanian Chamber of Commerce

 

Kohti kestävää tulevaisuutta!

Shalin Suomi ry edistää paikallisia ratkaisuja ilmastonmuutoksen ja köyhyyden asettamiin haasteisiin globaalilla tavalla. Shalin Suomi ry on Helsingissä vuonna 2003 rekisteröity kansalaisjärjestö.

Shalin-nimi tarkoittaa avarakatseista ja neuvokasta. Etsimme ennakkoluulottomasti uusia ratkaisumalleja ja teemme yhteistyötä monenlaisten toimijoiden kanssa. Työmme lähtökohta on paikallisten ihmisten kunnioittaminen ja heidän vaikutusmahdollisuuksiensa vahvistaminen. Se on myös edellytys kestävien tulosten aikaansaamiselle.

 

"Dealing with Barriers to Renewable Energy in Africa:

Networking for A Global Access to Energy”

Date: Thursday 3 May 2012

Time: 15:00-18:30

Venue: Andorra Cultural Center, Helsinki

Organisers SHALIN Finland and World Vision

"As light touches everyone’s life, renewable energy opens opportunities for the most vulnerable in the society, mothers, children, indigenous people etc. Energy cuts across poverty, health, education, environment...It is a fundamental human right"

It is estimated that 72 % of people in Sub-Sahara Africa do not have access to electricity (or modern energy services). At the same time, Africa has the world’s largest technical potential for renewable energy power generation. If only a portion of the potential for renewable energy in Africa is harnessed, it can power the world.

Despite this huge potential, access to Renewable Energy remains a major challenge in Africa. Based on the current investment and development trends less than half of African countries will reach universal access to energy by 2050. A UN report in 2002 showed that SA represented 45% of the total installed energy in Africa with North Africa representing 31%, the rest of Africa was a mere 24%. Energy poverty means the poor continue to be deprived of opportunities to improve their living standards, are exposed to health risks, poor services both in health and education and the state of the environment continues to deteriorate.

Drawing on expert views and opinions, the panelists will discuss how the untapped potential and the existing barriers can be turned into opportunities that facilitate a global access to renewable energy. From knowledge, financing and pricing, marketing, policy, climate instruments, technical expertise to process management, the panelists will seek to underpin the roles of the different players along the RE value chain in facilitating the penetration of renewable energy into the the far flung areas as well as within the urban settings.

What are the factors affecting RE uptake, deployment, market penetration in Africa? Why is this huge potential not being transformed into ventures, businesses and services to meet this urgent need? Whose role is it to make this transformational change?

THE PROGRAMME

15:00-15:05     Introduction by Moderator: Tuomas Forsell (MTV 3 News Producer)

15:05 -15:15     Over view of Renewable Energy in Africa:  The state of the  art. Anu Hassinen - Energy Adviser Ministry for Foreign Affairs

15:15-15:25     Working on RE and North Africa: The case of the Desertec Project  (Leila Costelle: PhD researcher): Promoting a comprehensive solutions that combat global climate change, ensures energy security and promotes development.

15:25-15:35     Water, Wind, and Waste: Research Cooperation for Change: Research funding in Renewable Energy, with specific reference to the ERAfrica project (www.erafrica.eu) UNiPID Melissa Plath:

15:35-15:45     A profile of renewable energy for Ghana:  The role of the Chamber of Commerce in closing the gap on access to renewable energy: Sarah Laaru Mwaawaaru

15.45-15:55    Connect: Co-creation  of market modes in Developing Countries: Finnish Renewable Energy SMEs.   Eija Laitinen  (HAMK- The Renewable Energy Project).

15:55-16:05     “Simple solutions, big impact: Tracing the value of renewable energy intervention in a childs life”  Saara Nokelainen - World Vision

16:05-16:15     Lumivio oy: Designing energy systems for the low earners in Africa:  Affordable Solar solutions for All. Rasmus Lampen CEO, Lumivio Oy

16:15-1630      Q an A

16:30-17:10     Wine and Networking

17:15-18:40     Sex, Okra & Salted Butter (Chad, 2008) 81 minutes

Profile of the PANELISTS

Ms Anu Hassinen, adviser at the MFA. Is the energy adviser at the department for development policy of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. She has fifteen years of experience in developing clean energy technical assistance and R&D&I projects both in Finland and with UNDP. Her current work is focused on providing advice within and outside the Ministry on developing and implementing Finnish development policy and programmes on energy sector with focus on energy access, renewable energy and energy efficiency. She is also representing the Ministry at the governing boards of the EU Energy Initiative, the EU-Africa Energy Partnership and the World Bank Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme. Ms. Hassinen is one of the founding members of SHALIN Suomi and has worked with an NGO in Costa Rica as well. In her early career, Ms. Hassinen worked several years in risk management and financial control in private, financial and insurance companies. She has a Master’s degree in international economics and MBA in finance

Ms Leila Costelle graduated from University of Helsinki as a Doctor of materials physics in December 2011. She is currently a research fellow at the Tampere University of Technology. Her present research is related to the fabrication and service performance of advanced materials for demanding applications, with an emphasis on the sustainable life cycle performance of materials and on material solutions for energy saving, safety and environmental friendly applications. She is an active member and project manager at the Vision and Action Association in Grombalia (Tunisia), where she undertakes actions and organizes events related to the environment and the sustainable development. She is also an active member of the Finnish network of the Anna Lindh Foundation for the dialogue between cultures, which facilitates and supports the action of civil society of the Euro-Mediterranean Region.

Ms Melissa Plath; is a Project Coordinator for the Finnish University Partnership for International Development (UniPID), responsible for the FP7-funded projects CAAST-Net and ERAfrica. Her work currently focuses on supporting and enhancing research cooperation between Europe and Africa, including through research funding. Melissa holds a Master's Degree in Social Sciences, with a specialization in Development and International Cooperation from the University of Jyväskylä.

Saraa Nokelainen: World Vision's Programme Officer for Uganda, Focal point of environmental and climate matters. World Vision Uganda is currently piloting, how to use renewable energy solutions to help families focus more of their resources for the well-being of children. Saara holds a Master's Degree in Social Sciences.

Saarah Laaru:

Sarah holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business Administration with a specialization in Foreign Trade from the Vaasa University of Applied Science. She also has years of experience from working with international business consulting companies in promoting Finnish businesses in Africa and the Middle East.  Her current task includes working with Finnish and international companies to promote and support the flow of sustainable trade developments and investments to Africa; Ghana.