Biographical sketch, Minister of Education

Tuula Haatainen

Vanhanen's Cabinet 2003 - 2007

 

I have always believed in education and the possibilties it opens to everyone. I was the eldest daughter in our family and I grew up in a small countryside schoolhouse surrounded by forest in the region of Pohjois-Savo, in north-east Finland. I remember my first paid job as a child. It consisted of collecting pine cones and planting spruce saplings.

 

There was no senior secondary school in my home village, so when I was 15 years old I left for the town of Kuopio to continue my schooling. Studies, new hobbies and the services provided by the town, not least the library, brought a whole new dimension to my life. I often spent evenings in the library which served as both my living room and study.

 

After senior secondary school, I followed in my mother's footsteps and became a nurse. Helsinki, Finland's capital, opened new avenues for active involvement in society. I enrolled foran oil painting course, joined two film clubs, frequented the theatre and became interested in politics. I decided to stop working and put all my energy into preparing for an entrance examination to the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Helsinki. I could not have been happier when I was accepted for a place there.

 

I am an optimist. I believe there is a way to handle almost any situation. I also believe in people. Each and everyone of us possesses skills that can be utilised. That is why society must provide people with opportunities to develop themselves and grow as human beings.

 

My greatest dream is that the UN objective of access to education for every girl and boy will become reality. It is our responsibility to ensure that it does.