Finnish exchange participants explore global security careers

Finnish Consul General Jarmo Sareva stands at a podium speaking to a group of people at the Diplomatic Discussion event help on U.N.C. campus. — Finnish Consul General Jarmo Sareva speaks during the Diplomatic Discussion. (Submitted photo)

An exchange program between Carolina and the University of Helsinki allowed students to learn about and prepare for careers in global security. As part of the Women in Global Security exchange program, six students and two faculty members from the Finnish university traveled to North Carolina in April 2024, and six Carolina students, one faculty member and one staff member went to Finland and Estonia in May 2024.

The exchange program was funded by the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki’s public affairs grant program and organized by UNC Global Affairs.

“Carolina was the perfect fit for this exchange program,” said Timothy Rose, Carolina’s associate director for exchange and sponsored programs. “UNC and our partner, the University of Helsinki, have both the expertise in various issues pertaining to global security and the ability to provide transformative, experiential opportunities for students. This expertise fit in well with the type of programs the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki was looking to support.”

Students participate in the U.N.C. - Chapel Hill-University of Helsinki exchange program on women in global security.

(Submitted photo)

In North Carolina, participants learned from Carolina faculty in PWAD, political science and geography; toured and met with state security experts at the North Carolina National Guard Joint Force Headquarters and State Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh; visited Fort Bragg to learn about special operations, information warfare and women in the U.S. military and conducted discussions, simulations and activities.

“During the simulation, we reflected on when we first heard of Russia’s attack on Ukraine,” Kate Klinger ’26 said. “In that moment, I realized how much closer the conflict feels when Russia is your neighbor. Americans must remember our trans-Atlantic partners and the personal stories of those whom this war affects daily.”

Program events were open to the greater Carolina community and dozens of students were able to explore global security issues with their Finnish counterparts.

In May, Carolina participants visited Finland’s Ministry of Defense, Institute of International Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Helsinki, as well as the International Center for Defense and Security and NATO’s Cooperative Cyber Defense Centre of Excellence in Tallinn, Estonia.

The April timing of the Chapel Hill visit was intentional. Finland joined NATO on April 4, 2023, after 74 years of an official foreign policy position of neutrality. Understanding NATO — including Finland’s recent accession and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — is central to the program’s learning objectives.

During the April exchange, UNC Global Affairs and the Center for European Studies hosted a Diplomatic Discussion with Finnish Consul General Jarmo Sareva in the Nelson Mandela Auditorium.

In her remarks at the Diplomatic Discussion, Barbara Stephenson, vice provost for global affairs and chief global officer, spoke about NATO and the role the alliance has played in promoting democracy and security around the world. She emphasized the importance of the exchange program in helping tomorrow’s leaders pursue solutions to shared global challenges.

“Finland is our friend. Finland is a close partner, and as of April 4, 2023, Finland is a crucial NATO ally,” Stephenson said. “These students are discovering the importance of this bilateral relationship through a transformative experience.”