Hanasaari’s proprietary programme activities are founded on active analysis of the surrounding world and co-operation with Finnish and Swedish operators from various sectors of society. We submit and receive initiatives for future activities, and develop these initiatives together with our co-operation partners. This often entails a project that is developed and honed for some time before its results are made visible. The end result of all this work may be a seminar or another type of an event. It may even involve advocacy, influencing opinions or policy-making on a high level. This is when Hanasaari’s role is to be a catalyst for a process that enhances policy-making.

Over the past two years, Hanasaari’s programme activities have been greatly influenced by Svenska nu (Swedish now) and the Landmark Year 1809 to commemorate the bicentennial of Finland’s separation from Sweden. A large number of events have been implemented within the framework of these two projects in 2007 and 2008, both in Hanasaari and elsewhere in Finland and Sweden. The Landmark Year project will conclude after 2009 but many of the initiatives developed under its umbrella will continue to be developed after the turn of the year.