Fulbright Finland News Magazine
Emilia Luiro and Vesa Orassalo were part of a multidisciplinary group of 12 young Nordic changemakers selected to participate in the first Arctic Encounter Symposium Youth Grant program in Alaska.
United by their passion for Arctic issues and ready to make a difference in the society, the group consisted of students, for example, of Economics, Education, Chemistry, Political Science, and Architecture.
Emilia Luiro, Finnish participant born in Kemijärvi, wants to make an impact at the political level. “I am committed to working towards more sustainable social foundations so that nature in its full diversity can thrive, be resilient, and keep giving the prerequisites for life.”
To achieve this objective, Emilia has chosen to study Economics and Politics at the University of Helsinki and wants to also combine studies of Forest Sciences in the mix. “I have faith in institutions and in change that can be navigated by scientific research and political will,” Emilia shares.
Vesa Orassalo, Skolt Sámi himself, is an advocate against the harmful use of Arctic waters and land areas and brought to the Nordic youth delegation his expertise and traditional knowledge of hunting and fishing.
In addition to doing grassroot level work on the removal and disposal of pink salmon from the Arctic rivers, Vesa has presented on multiple forums and shared, how everybody can help protect the wild salmon in Arctic waters.
Currently, Vesa is finishing his Education studies at the University of Lapland in Rovaniemi: “As a teacher, I will share more information of Arctic areas and cultures for the children, hopefully raising them to be mindful and active protectors of our nature.”
In addition to attending various expert panel discussions and events at the Arctic Encounter Symposium, the largest annual Arctic policy and business event in the U.S., both Vesa and Emilia had the opportunity to share their stories on empowerment, youth leadership, and ways to participate in making a change in their local communities in a session with the Nordic youth delegates.
The program received 108 applications from undergraduate students from all around Finland demonstrating a need for short-term exchanges for undergraduate students, and the impact is even greater when a group of students get to collaborate on pertinent issues.
“In the core of the experience were people – grantees from the other Fulbright commissions as well as the connections we made in the summit from high level meetings to the ones we had with our peers from different parts of the Arctic. The learning happened on multiple levels from seminar rooms to dinner tables and shared stories. Now I have a broader network but also a fuller heart,” Emilia summarized.
According to Vesa, the grant program was a once in the lifetime opportunity, giving him a chance to connect with, and get to know leaders of today and the future in Arctic politics. “I can confidently say that I am now in a better position to speak for the youth and have better impact on regional issues, all because of this opportunity,” Vesa concludes.
With special funding from the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen and the Nordic Fulbright Commissions, the Nordic collaboration enabled a delegation of 12 representatives of Nordic youth, including two Finns, to attend the 2025 Arctic Encounter Symposium in Anchorage in July.
Read the whole Fulbright Finland News magazine 2/2025!
