Aims of political and citizenship education in Finland

Abstract

This article examines the guidelines and objectives of political (societal) and citizen­ship education in Finland during the past 40 years approximately. During this relatively short period, different programmes have arisen which aptly reflect changes which have taken place, in viewpoints, in the social atmosphere, and in citizens' political interests. The article is concerned with the reports of two committees, the Adult Education Com­mittee and the Lifelong Learning Committee, since the beginning of the 1970s, the Government's Policy Programme (2003-2007), and the aims of political and citizenship education defined in these committee reports and policy programmes.