Awards and acknowledgements

Ministry of Education and Culture awarded Kassandra ry in 2008 with Suomi Prize as an appreciation for her outstanding work in the field of culture.

Kassandra’s aim is to minimize the prejudice between newcomers, between Finnish speaking people and people of different language backgrounds, as well as to create a new Finnish identity through arts and science. Kassandra offers, especially for children, youth and women from different cultural backgrounds, a conducive network, opportunities to develop their skills and to benefit from artistic activities as widely as possible. Kassandra sees diversity as a strength in the field of culture and arts. 

Jenni and Antti Wilhuri foundation distributed 8,7 million in total as awards and grants on 9.10.2008. Kassandra received an acknowledgement prize from the foundation, for her valuable efforts in cultivating Finnish ethos. Kassandra’s work supports the development of multicultural Finnish society and open mindedness.

National Board on Ethnic Relations (ETNO) has appointed Ritva Siikala, Kassandra’s executive director, as a Goodwill Ambassador. The Goodwill Ambassadors are people in influential positions who are working to turn Finland into a more ethnically equal society.