Anna Abreu, Daco Junior and Michaela Moua appointed goodwill ambassadors for fight against racism

The Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations has announced the appointment of three young goodwill ambassadors: Sebastian Da Costa, better known by his stage name Daco Junior (singer/songwriter born in 1990), Anna Abreu (singer born in 1990), and Michaela Moua (NGO activist born in 1976). With these appointments, the Advisory Board wants to draw attention to the many faces of the increasingly multicultural Finland — in addition to young people born elsewhere, there are also multi-cultural second and third generation Finns. The three goodwill ambassadors show a positive example to all young people by actively taking a stand for an international Finland, against racism.

According to the ambassadors, the world is changing, and Finland is changing with it. Many young people today consider different linguistic, cultural and religious backgrounds a natural part of Finnish identity. "For us, friendship and professional cooperation are part of everyday life, irrespective of what cultural, religious or ethnic background the other person represents. What matters is mutual respect and expertise," the goodwill ambassadors say. According to Michaela Moua, the concept of Finnish identity is in a constant state of change. It refers not so much to a person's roots, but to a particular feeling that everyone experiences in their own way. To her, Finnish identity means honesty, opportunities, diligence and human solidarity.

All three goodwill ambassadors cherish internationality and cooperation, together with courage to put yourself on the line and surpass yourself. Everything starts with respecting yourself and other people just the way they are. The ambassadors find fear of migrants and other minorities and the painting of threat scenarios difficult to understand. "Freedom of speech is worth defending, but it comes with responsibilities. Freedom of speech should not give a right to insult other people." To break down prejudices, the ambassadors appeal to adults as young people listen to their conversations and learn from them how to talk about migrants, for example, and what attitudes to have towards migrants. The ambassadors also hope that the public debate about differences between people would shift to the fact that in spite of different backgrounds, we have more in common than we have differences.

Anna Abreu is a Finnish-Portuguese singer who has won twice the award for best female act of the year at the Emma gala organised by the Finnish National Group of IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry). The multi-talented artist has highlighted in her work her two cultural backgrounds which she considers both a resource and an example of Finnish identity today. "Finnish identity means to me sincerity, honesty, peace and equality. I'm proud that I can live in such a safe country where care is taken of all citizens. I've also lived in Portugal, and as I've grown older, I've learnt to really appreciate the Finnish culture and values. I would, however, hope that we could achieve greater equality for all."

Daco Junior is one of the rising Finnish artists. Daco Junior works together with a Norwegian duo Madcon and is starring in a musical at the Vaasa City Theatre. Daco Junior moved with his family from Angola to Finland in the 1990s. The artist, who is believed to gain international success, encourages all young people to try to achieve their dreams. For Daco Junior music is everything: "Making music is important to me because it's part of who I am."

Michaela Moua, an NGO activist, says she is a West-African from Savo. Michaela has worked against racism in a large number of organisations, and in September she was chosen as executive director of Rasmus, Network against Racism and Xenophobia. As a former professional basketball player, Michaela has played not only in the Finnish league but also in Italy and Switzerland, for example. Michaela says that the years spent abroad have increased her ability to understand other cultures. "It has been an educational experience to visit schools and listen to young people's views on today's Finland, racism and the Finnish identity, and discuss with them."

Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations in brief

ETNO, the Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations, is a broad-based expert body set up by the Finnish Government and chaired by Päivi Nerg, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior. Members of ETNO include representation from political parties, various associations, religious communities and the authorities.

The mission of goodwill ambassadors is to participate in public debate on good ethnic relations and by setting a positive example, to encourage their work communities and networks to make an active contribution towards a more diverse Finnish society. Previous ambassadors include Artistic Director of the Finnish National Ballet Kenneth Greve and singer/songwriter Tommy Lindgren. ETNO's main goal for 2013 has been to raise awareness of racism experienced by young people and discuss ways to tackle it. A further goal has been to promote equal opportunities for migrant girls and boys to participate in different kinds of free-time activities. For more information on ETNO and previous goodwill ambassadors, please visit www.intermin.fi/en/etno

For further information, please contact

Mr Peter Kariuki, Senior Adviser, Secretary-General of ETNO, peter.kariuki@intermin.fi, tel. +358 50 399 9456
Ms Nina Suorsa, Administrative Officer, Secretary to ETNO, nina.suorsa@intermin.fi, tel. +358 50 396 0166
Ms Kaisa Huikuri, Information Officer,kaisa.huikuri@intermin.fi, +358 50 456 2969