Thomas for the Helsinki city council

I promise to work to strengthen local democracy.

I promise to assess the overall impact of decisions on the wellbeing of people, other animals and the rest of nature.

I promise to study the issues and form my opinion on the basis of researched and comprehensive information.

Equality. Empathy. Joy. Honesty. Fairness. Reliability. These values guide me in my everyday life, at work and in politics.

I have worked in development, humanitarian aid and civilian crisis management, mostly in conflict zones. In Finland, I have, among other things, studied communication in government from the perspective of public debate and decision-making.

I am running for the city council because I want to see a Helsinki that takes responsibility for the wellbeing of its residents in a holistic way.

Particularly important to me is

LISTENING TO INHABITANTS

We need to make the tools of local democracy effective in decision-making.

PRESERVING CULTURAL HERITAGE

The architectural and intangible heritage and the identity of Helsinki must be preserved.

STRENGTHENING THE NATURAL AREAS AND THE URBAN GREEN SPACE

The impact on the well-being of people, other animals and nature must be taken into account in all decision-making.

ENABLING MEANINGFUL WORK FOR EVERYONE

Structural obstacles to employment must be removed so that every Helsinki resident has the opportunity to work.

PLANNING THE CITY FOR THE CAR-FREE

Public transport, cycling and walking must be given priority while maintaining functional solutions for those who need a car.

Through these measures, I want to strengthen the mental health and well-being of Helsinki residents in their everyday lives.

1. CHECK YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE HERE

2. FIND YOUR VOTING LOCATION HERE

3. VOTE ON SUNDAY, APRIL 13TH!

Did we meet last summer?

In the summer of 2024, we collected signatures for a Lapinlahti residents’ initiative to keep Lapinlahti in public ownership and safeguard mental health work, cultural heritage and civic activities in the area. During the eight campaign days I met nearly 3 000 visitors, maybe you too?

In Lapinlahti, I have been an activist for the past seven years, at the heart of defending the area’s cultural heritage, mental health support and volunteer-created urban culture. In this sometimes full-time volunteer work, I have become familiar with the preconditions and shortcomings of city decision-making.

It is difficult for residents to make their voices heard in decision making, both in Lapinlahti and in other local communities. The contradiction between local democracy and capital is reflected in conflicts over, for example, the defence of beloved nature and cultural heritage sites.

I am running for city council because I want to promote policies that increase the wellbeing of Helsinki residents and draw on the views and expertise of residents and civil society.

TESTIMONIES ABOUT THOMAS

“Thomas Slätis is one of the most principled, fair minded and compassionate individuals with whom I have known.
Hardworking, dedicated and thoughtful, Thomas is a gifted communicator, artist and leader who will bring his strengths and talents to work as the voice of Helsinki residents who care about both the natural and built environment and the freedom to be fully employed in the city.

Equally compelling as a thorough analyst and a creative communicator, often in tense, high-stakes environments, Thomas brings strong leadership to the Helsinki City Council.

Our story goes back nearly 30 years when he was among the first scholar exchanges between the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California and I have watched him develop his expertise as a writer and activist on four continents – including being one of the only Finns to stand with Native Americans at the Standing Rock pipeline protest.

Now Thomas pledges to work with and empower Helsinki residents bringing their voices and concerns about access to employment and strengthened protection for the natural environment and for collective cultural heritage.

Everything Thomas Slätis has achieved in the past convinces me that he deserves your vote and support.“

–Dr. Susan Larson, Minneapolis, USA

Thomas standing next to a fence with banners attached, and a road and great plains in the background. — Dakota Access Pipeline protests, Standing Rock, North Dakota, USA 2016

You can read more about me in English here and here.

I have a sleeping account on LinkedIn but I cannot be found on other commercial social media platforms. I find the impact of an economic model based on the exploitation of social media users’ information on privacy, the services’ addictiveness on mental health and disinformation on democracy extremely problematic.

By not using social media, I want to free up time and make room for encounters and listening to others, which I believe should be at the heart of politics.