Finland in Focus: The World’s Freest Democracy at NATO's Northern Border

You are invited to join the World Affairs Council of Miami on Thursday, October 30, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM for a timely and thought-provoking program, Finland in Focus: Insights from the World’s Freest Democracy at NATO’s Northern Border, featuring Her Excellency Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, Ambassador of Finland to the United States.

Presented in partnership with Miami Dade College, this program is part of our Mark Samuelian Distinguished Speaker Series and will be hosted at Miami Dade College – Wolfson Campus in collaboration with the Miami Dade College Honors College and the Miami-Dade County International Trade Consortium. The conversation will be moderated by Aaron Rosen, President & Founder of the World Affairs Council of Miami.

The United States and Finland share a dynamic relationship grounded in democratic values, security cooperation, and the transatlantic community. Finland continues to draw global recognition as the “world’s most free country” in Freedom House’s global rankings, reflecting its strong institutions, fair elections, low corruption, independent courts, deep social trust, and enduring commitment to equality. As one of NATO’s two newest members (alongside Sweden), Finland offers unique insights as a neighbor of Russia and a strategic Arctic player, while also standing as a model of democratic resilience in the face of Europe's most devastating war in generations.

Ambassador Mikkola will share high-level perspectives on the future of U.S.–Finland relations, Finland’s evolving security role in NATO, and the Nordic state’s strategies for cultivating its strong democracy and free society. A special focus will highlight Finland’s internationally acclaimed media and digital literacy initiatives, which underpin its resilience against disinformation and serve as a global example of how democracies can adapt and thrive in the information age.

Register now to secure your seat for this rare opportunity to hear directly from Finland’s top diplomat in Washington during her first public program in Miami. Seating is limited.

Register now. Tickets are complimentary; donations are welcome.

DATE & TIME: Thursday, October 30, 2025 | 11:00am - 1:00pm
VENUE: MDC Wolfson, 245 NE 5th Street, # 7128 (Building 7, 1st Floor) Miami, FL 33132

Free guest parking will be available in Bldg. 7 Garage, 500 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL (see below for directions)

11:00am - 11:30am - Registration with light refreshments

11:30am - 12:30pm - A Conversation with Ambassador Mikkola

12:30pm - 1:00pm - Continued networking to close

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Speaker bio:

• Her Excellency Leena-Kaisa Mikkola is the Ambassador of Finland to the United States. She started in her role in September 2024. Prior to that, she served as the Ambassador of Finland to the People's Republic of China from 2021 to 2024.
  
  Ambassador Mikkola is a career diplomat, and she joined the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland in 1992. She has worked with Middle Eastern and African Affairs, most recently as Finland's Ambassador to Israel (2011–2016) and as the Director General for Africa and the Middle East (2017–2021). She has also worked at the diplomatic missions in Brussels, Canberra, Athens and Budapest.
  
  Born in 1962, Ambassador Mikkola is originally from Kaustinen, Finland. She holds a Master's degree in Law from the University of Helsinki. Ambassador Mikkola has two grown-up sons, and she likes to read and enjoy the outdoors on her free time.

Co-Moderator bio:

• Aaron Rosen serves as President and Founder of the World Affairs Council of Miami since 2021. He is a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations in New York and a 2024 Eisenhower Fellow. Prior to returning home to South Florida, Aaron researched international technology policy and Russian affairs with the Alfa Fellowship Program in Moscow. He previously worked as a Washington, D.C.-based specialist in U.S. foreign policy for MUFG Bank, formerly the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, and completed a graduate fellowship with the European Parliament in Brussels.
  
  Aaron has experience working with various legislative and diplomatic bodies, including the U.S. Congress, German Bundestag, Australian House of Representatives, Canadian House of Commons, Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies, Embassy of Mexico in the United States, and the European Parliament Liaison Office to the U.S. Congress.
  
  Aaron earned a dual masters concentrated on U.S. foreign policy and international history from the George Washington University and the London School of Economics, and holds a bachelors in international relations and comparative politics from the University of Central Florida. Aaron was born in Southern California and raised in South Florida. He speaks German, Spanish, and intermediate Russian.
  

Free guest parking will be available in Bldg. 7 Garage, 500 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL

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