Two development projects by the municipality of Tuusula awarded at the Important Work Gala on 4 December 2023

Important work is being done by the Local Government and Welfare Employers KT and the main labour market organisations in the municipal sector to develop working life. The most inspiring development projects are recognised in an annual campaign. This autumn’s campaign received 247 entries from 59 organisations in various professions and on various themes.

Tuusula Municipality was recognised this year for its Agenda 2030 steps and cultural education plans.  

Building a sustainable future together in Tuusula 

A sustainable future and building it together is one of the main objectives of the Tuusula municipality’s education sector. Through the Agenda 2030 goals, different service areas have considered how sustainability is reflected in different activities. The goals have been classified into four themes: climate action, responsible consumption, equality and human rights, and democracy and participation. During primary school, these themes are encountered several times, with the content being deepened according to age level. 

– The award is deserved by a truly large group of people who have been involved in planning and implementing the Tuusula Agenda 2030 steps for four years now. This is a long-term programme aimed at changing the culture and even the world. The steps have been in use in schools for two years now and have been well received. Over the years, they will take shape according to the views of those implementing them, i.e. teachers and pupils. This requires close cooperation between pupils, staff, agenda managers, administrators and external actors. We are absolutely committed to working towards this goal, says learning expert Laura Aalto.  

The themes of Tuusula’s Agenda 2030 will also be discussed at the Learning Forum 2024 training day to be held in Monio on 2 March 2024. We are delighted to have President Tarja Halonen speaking on the subject, whose expertise and international perspective on these issues is unrivalled in Finland, says Head of Education Markus Torvinen.

Cultural education plans bring culture closer to children and young people 

The cultural education plan is a plan for how cultural, artistic and cultural heritage education is implemented in the municipality as part of teaching and brought into the lives of all children and young people in Tuusula. Systematic cultural education began in Tuusula in 2016.

“It’s great that all children and young people in Tuusula have access to culture. This way, they also grow up to be consumers of culture,” says Ulla Kinnunen, Director of Culture and Museums. 

The Tuusula Cultural Committee implements several cultural education plans for children and young people, known as Taika Kultsu (Tuusula’s early childhood education cultural education programme), Kultsu (basic education cultural education programme) and Toisen asteen Kultsu (secondary education cultural education programme), which is implemented in secondary education, such as among students at Tuusula Upper Secondary School and vocational students. The content for Kultsu is produced by the museum, library, general culture, art school and, this year, the Lotta Museum in Tuusula. 

– The best thing about cultural education is its equality, meaning that culture is available to everyone. At their best, cultural experiences create holistic well-being. Theatre and music performances, museum workshops, library visits and other content open up new horizons for children and young people and enrich their everyday lives through culture. In Tuusula, local history offers gems that are a great source of inspiration for our cultural education plans, says cultural producer Jaana Hopeakoski.  

Further information

Head of Education Markus Torvinen, +358 40 314 3410, markus.torvinen@tuusula.fi 

Ulla Kinnunen, Director of Culture and Museums, +358 40 314 3456, ulla.kinnunen@tuusula.fi

This content has been translated using AI