Week Against Racism - Oulu Loves Me
The national Week Against Racism takes place in Finland on week 12 (March 16th. 22rd.) because the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is on March 21st.
A variety of activities will be organized in Oulu during the week. The events will especially discuss respecting other people and intervening in racism. All events will be compiled on this site.
Events of Anti-Racism Week
Week schedule
Friday 13.3. at 13.00 - 17.00 EN/FI
Oulu Loves Me
Wednesday 18.3. at 17.00 - 20.00
Board Games & Networking event
Place: Sepänkatu 20
Organizes: International House Oulu and Startup Refugees
IH Oulu will once again host its familiar board game and networking event. This time, the theme is anti‑racism. The event is organized together with Startup Refugees.
Wednesday 18.3. at 13.30 - 16.00 EN/FI
Anti-discrimination Forum – Oulu for All project
Place: Oulu City Hall, valtuustosali, Kirkkokatu 2a
Organizes: Kaikkien Oulu -hanke
The safety of public spaces in Oulu from the perspective of different population groups and stakeholders.
At the beginning of 2025, the City of Oulu published an anti-racism action plan aimed at building a more equal and equitable Oulu. The plan is implemented by the Oulu for All project, which promotes trust and interaction between different population groups.
The forum’s role is to act as an advocate for equality and non-discrimination and to promote measures in anti-racism work. A diverse group of influential people from Oulu—representing different professions, age groups, political orientations, and backgrounds—will be invited to join the network.
The event continues with the anti-discrimination forum established in spring 2025, which was last organized in autumn 2025 with a focus on promoting diversity in working life.
Theme of the event:
During the Anti-Racism Week, the and-discrimination forum will focus on discussing experiences of safety by different groups and individuals, existing safety-related practices, and the shared responsibility of different actors and organizations in ensuring safe spaces for everyone in public
environments.
Why You should participate?
Safety is an issue that affects all of us, yet it is experienced in different ways. In public spaces, it is essential that everyone can feel safe. To ensure a sense of safety for all individuals and groups, sufficient knowledge and effective practices are required. In the forum, we will discuss, among other things, various discriminatory situations related to safety and examine how different safety practices and plans function in these cases.
Registration:
Register by 12.3.2026 at the latest via this link: https://forms.office.com/e/Pfgi1NHdSL
The event will be held in Finnish and English
Friday 20.3.at 17.00 - 19.00 EN
Storytelling
Place: Hyvän Mielen Talo, Kauppurienkatu 23
Organizers: Tell Me-hanke / The Irish Festival of Oulu
In the Storytelling event we hear and share stories about the meeting of different cultures. There are also two workshops, where participants can work with thoughts that the stories awoke. The event is in English.
Friday 20.3. at 18.00-20.00 EN/FI
Place: Luke´s Guesthouse
Entrance: Erkki Koiso-Kanttilan katu 7
At Luke´s Guesthouse we will get to know with different cultures. Tonight our theme is Japan and Japanese culture.
This evening is part of the weekly programme against rasicm.
Friday 20.3. at 20.00 - 23.00 FI/EN/AR/SO/DARI
Dream Lounge
Place: Valkea kauppakeskus, Nuorten Nurkka
Organizers: Rauhankasvatusinstituutti ry sekä Kaikkien Oulu
Dream Lounge is an alternative (18+) bar where we dive into the future of young adults through the world of dreams. In this dream space, we ask: What does the future of young adults look like right now — what do we dream about, and what worries us? How can we build an anti-racist and discrimination-free future together? At the event, you can draw, write, listen, or take part in discussions with others. You can also enjoy music by the DJ, drink mocktails, hang out, dance, or simply just be. The event is facilitated by the young influencers of RKI. We follow safer space principles. Languages: Finnish, English, Somali, Arabic, Dari.
16.- 22.3.
Our Oulu – 11 Proposals for Encountering One Another
Organizers: Rauhankasvatusinstituutti ry sekä Kaikkien Oulu
Our Oulu – 11 Proposals for Encountering One Another is a video work in support of a more equal Oulu. Through the videos, 15 young people from diverse backgrounds in Oulu invite all of us to reflect on how we can together make Oulu an even more communal and safer city—one where everyone, regardless of their characteristics, can feel at home. In the videos, the young people share their thoughts on how we could bravely meet one another and intervene when encountering racism and all forms of discrimination. The young people’s dream and vision is an Oulu free from discrimination, where everyone is able to flourish as their authentic self. Join us in building such an Oulu together, one encounter at a time. The language of the videos is Finnish, with English subtitles.