Globalization is not an issue that happens outside your own country. Being international should become a part of our everyday lives and internationalization should happen on our own home ground. This was the conclusion made by the delegates of the Nordic Chamber Meeting held in Tampere on 21^st – 23^rd  August.

All the Nordic countries suffer from a lack of workforce in many fields, and one of the remedies is to hire workers from abroad. Therefore, it should be evident that we need to act internationally also on a local level. This “Close-Up Globalization” should affect all of us, especially those in service industries and public services.

“How can we call ourselves international if we only have our local language available in every day operations? To be able to serve our immigrants and visitors we have to have our services available in at least English - on trade fairs as well as in police stations, on the internet as well as in person” says Katia K. Østergaard from the Danish Chamber of Commerce.

Furthermore, as children are our future our next generation should be made to understand that when going to foreign places English is a good start but not always enough. In tourism or business it is essential to know the local language:

“If you do not speak the local language you will lose business. There will be someone who speaks it and having that advantage makes the deal. It is the same if you are a tourist: you will never find the best restaurant or be fully capable of interacting with the people if you do not speak their language”, says Tommi Rasila, Managing Director of Tampere Chamber of Commerce and Industry which hosted the meeting.

It was noted that the chambers of commerce are strong proponents of free trade and open economies. By being open to international interaction and trade we boost equality and democracy, even world peace – in regions with conflicts the peace becomes stronger as businesses start running and give people jobs and income. Therefore, international interaction of businesses is crucial also in turbulent regions.

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The annual Nordic Chamber Meeting is an informal meeting with long traditions – the first meeting was held in Stockholm in 1917. It gathers together people from chambers of commerce from all five Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Next year the rotation takes the meeting to Denmark, making Katia K. Østergaard the chairman of the event.

 

For further information:

Tommi Rasila, managing director, Tampere Chamber of Commerce

Tel. +358 40 7508158, email Tommi.Rasila@chamber.fi