Vaasa residents are invited to join a Citizens’ Panel to discuss equality and non-discrimination

In March 2026, the City of Vaasa will organise its first-ever Citizens’ Panel in collaboration with Åbo Akademi University, Tampere University, and the University of Vaasa.

Those invited to the Citizens’ Panel have been randomly selected, and anyone aged 18 or over living in Vaasa may receive an invitation by post.

– A total of 20,000 Vaasa residents will receive an invitation, and participants in the Citizens’ Panel will be chosen from those who volunteer. The aim is to bring together as diverse a group of people and as wide a range of perspectives as possible, explains Professor Kimmo Grönlund from Åbo Akademi University.

Findings will guide the development of the new equality and non-discrimination plan

The findings from the panel will be used in preparing the City of Vaasa’s new Equality and non-discrimination plan for 2026–2029.

– We want as diverse a group of Vaasa residents as possible to have their voices heard in decision-making. We also hope that as many invitees as possible will volunteer to take part in the panel, encourages Vaasa’s Mayor, Tomas Häyry.

The Citizens’ Panel is a new form of participation designed to strengthen democracy through broad and multivocal discussion. The aim is to produce a well-informed and considered public opinion that can help make decision-making and public debate more diverse and widely accepted.

The Citizens’ Panel: a channel to influence decision-making

The Vaasa Citizens’ Panel brings residents together for one day to discuss equality and non-discrimination and to form considered opinions based on expert knowledge.

To enhance accessibility, the discussions will be held entirely online.

Before the panel, participants will receive an information pack providing more details on the themes to be discussed. After the discussion, participants will complete a survey, the results of which will be shared with the team developing Vaasa’s Equality and non-discrimination plan.

– Using democratic innovations like the Citizens’ Panel in decision-making gives residents the opportunity to influence decisions even between elections. It also provides decision-makers with insight into residents’ considered views, explains Professor Kaisa Herne from Tampere University.

Equality and non-discrimination as part of all activities

The Equality and non-discrimination plan ensures that equality and non-discrimination are an integral part of all the city’s activities and decision-making.

– A city that is equal and non-discriminatory is not only a factor in vitality and appeal but, increasingly, also a foundation for democracy, trust, and well-being, explains Laura Pasma, Vaasa’s Welfare and District Service Manager.