What kind of innovations can cities harness to tackle homelessness? This is one of the topics of a CityLab panel discussion Helsinki Mayor Juhana Vartiainen will participate in on 19 October. The mayor will also attend other sessions at the CityLab event, hosted by the founder of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Foundation, the former mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg. CityLab brings together mayors and officials from dozens of countries to discuss global challenges and innovative solutions to them.
“Especially in the current world situation, international cooperation between cities is even more important. Helsinki is a trailblazer when it comes to finding effective solutions to urban challenges. We have done excellent and ambitious work to eradicate homelessness. The City of Helsinki’s goal to eliminate homelessness altogether by 2025 has generated much global interest. Our expertise is highly valued, and as a city that is constantly striving to better itself, it is essential that we learn from others as well,” said Mayor Vartiainen.
Before the Washington leg of the trip, Mayor Vartiainen will meet with Consul General Jarmo Sareva at the Finnish Consulate General in New York. In Washington, the programme also includes a meeting with Finnish Ambassador to the United States Mikko Hautala.
About City Lab
CityLab is a major urban solutions event that has been organised by the Bloomberg Philanthropies Foundation and the Aspen Institute since 2013. This year, the event is partnering with the OECD.
Helsinki has cooperated with the Bloomberg Philanthropies Foundation for several years and has participated in CityLab events in several locations. In Paris and Amsterdam, for example, Helsinki highlighted the city’s solutions for achieving carbon neutrality, the Central Library Oodi, and other accomplishments. In 2021, Helsinki was chosen as one of the four theme cities of the CityLab summit.