Theme: Rays Into The Future

As we prepare for our third edition titled "Rays into the Future", it becomes clear: Oulu's voice is pivotal in shaping the global discourse. Local experiences and insights, when magnified, have the power to guide the world into a brighter future. Nestled in the Arctic, Oulu isn’t just about resilience but about leading the way with its innovative spirit. From our commitment to energy-efficient green spaces to the audacious ventures of our tech pioneers in 6G, from the age-old philosophies that shape our happiness to avant-garde education techniques – our city brims with stories waiting to be told. This year, it’s more than just a stage; it's a clarion call to celebrate diversity, foster groundbreaking ideas, and recognize the role of individual voices in sculpting tomorrow.

Cultural Centre Valve
Hallituskatu 7
Oulu, Pohjois-Pohjanmaa, 90100 Oulu
Finland

John Lund

The Alternative Road to Happiness

John Lund is curious about what motivates people to tirelessly pursue atypical activities such as alternative sports. His curiosity has lead him to become a world-class athlete in the Finnish sport of wife carrying (“eukonkanto”). John holds a BSc in Sociology, an LLB and an MBA. A Boston, USA native, John currently resides in Tampere, Finland with his amazing wife.

Michael Demidoff

Off-the-shelf solutions for outside-the-box thinkers?

Michael Demidoff is a freelance translator/terminologist with experience at international organizations and a CELTA-certified teacher of English. He is passionate about uncovering barriers and bridging gaps in professional communication.

Minna Isomursu

Who is designing our digital future?

From Pudasjärvi to the World, Minna is dedicated to empowering people's lives through digital technology. Today, she is a professor in the field of Digital Health at the University of Oulu.

Pelle Venetjoki

Our Personal Sonic History

Pertti "Pelle" Venetjoki is a film sound designer and entrepreneur who feels home in the warmth of studios as well as freezing mountains. Pelle holds an MA from Aalto University and has 25 years of dedicated experience in the dynamic world of sound recording and post-production for fiction films and documentaries.

Petr Stepanek

The power of connecting individual actions for a better future

Petr Štěpánek is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oulu and co-coordinator of the Climate Café Oulu, the world's northernmost Climate Café. He is interested in all aspects of how our society can transition into one that can prosper within the planetary boundaries.

Tam Le Hong

Navigating the AI Era with Kids: Self Regulation in a Digital Age

Tam Le has been an edu-preneur, learning designer, and versatile manager in education technology companies. She is also a facilitator for social-emotional learning, entrepreneurship education, and digital literacy workshops for kids, teachers, and families. Her passion for learning and making learning fun has brought her to the Learning Education and Technology Program at the University of Oulu. She is interested in emotional intelligence and human-AI collaboration in learning to equip humans with vital 21st-century skills and digital well-being.