Beyond Labels: Building Partnerships That Reflect Real Diversity

Interview by Khaya Ronkainen on behalf of Finnish-African Society

Self-portrait of Kati

After three years of parental leave, a Finnish mother was searching for meaningful work that would reignite her passion for cross-cultural collaboration. What she found was something far greater than a volunteer opportunity—she discovered the Finnish-African Society, an organization that has been quietly but powerfully fostering connections between Finland and the African continent for over six decades.

Khaya Ronkainen recently spoke with FAS board member Kati Vertiö about her personal journey from volunteer to leadership, the mission, and how this volunteer-driven organization continues to build authentic partnerships that honour both Finnish and African heritage while amplifying diaspora voices often overlooked in diversity conversations.

PERSONAL JOURNEY

Could you share your personal journey that led you to become involved with this organization and its mission of strengthening Finnish-African ties?

In 2022, after a three-year parental leave, I was eager to find a fulfilling activity as I eased back into work. I learned that Sarah Laaru, a former NGO colleague, now chairs the Finnish African Society. Since 2019, she’s led the FAS team’s Finland-Africa initiatives, including the FALA project. Intrigued and confident in her leadership, I joined to volunteer my time and skills.

Also, I’m a mom to two beautiful daughters and bonus mom to my spouse’s firstborn. All my children’s roots are in both Finland and Ghana. Naturally, my family’s Finnish-Ghanaian heritage fuels my interest in relations between Finland and the African continent.

My professional background includes years of working at an NGO, promoting sports and health among migrant women. The work also involved collaborating with colleagues all over the world. I developed strong bonds with many of these women, particularly those from Somalia, who have a special place in my heart to this day.

Not long after joining FAS, Sarah asked me to help with the organisation’s funding-related matters. In 2023, I became a board member and secretary of the Finnish-African Society.

UNDERSTANDING OF CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

How does your background—Finnish—shape your understanding of the challenges and opportunities in building sustainable socio-economic and cultural partnerships between these regions? 

First, to build lasting partnerships, it’s crucial to stop the spread of misinformation about Africa: its people, history, and culture. Instead of focusing solely on challenges African countries face, let’s acknowledge and celebrate their prosperous development across the continents. 

Second, society needs to ensure a healthy, safe, and non-discriminatory environment for all, particularly for youth. We need to build structures that respect cultural heritage, maintaining a zero-tolerance policy toward racism and discrimination.

There are many NGOs in Finland working on these aspects, especially on diversity issues. But for FAS, I consider it essential to advocate and highlight perspectives of the African diaspora and their children in Finland, the Nordics and Europe.

Because I’ve noticed many diversity initiatives fail to cater to or understand the needs of the African diaspora or culture. I mean POC does not equal African; diversity is much more than POC. It encompasses a much broader range of identities.

“There are many NGOs in Finland working on these aspects, especially on diversity issues. But for FAS, I consider it essential to advocate and highlight perspectives of the African diaspora and their children in Finland, the Nordics and Europe.”

– Kati Vertiö

MISCONCEPTIONS OR KNOWLEDGE GAPS

What misconceptions or knowledge gaps have you observed among Finnish businesses about African markets, and conversely, what do African entrepreneurs often misunderstand about engaging with Finnish partners?

I must admit, this area is out of my expertise. I would argue, though, that Finnish businesses intending to do business in African markets should be open to hiring from Finland’s African diaspora. This can facilitate better risk management and respectful market entry in Africa for businesses.

For the African entrepreneurs, all I can say is they should approach Finnish companies with a clear plan and purpose. Finnish partners like clarity. As a layperson in international business, that’s all I can think of.

BEYOND ECONOMIC COOPERATION

Beyond economic cooperation, how does your organization work to strengthen cultural understanding and social connections between Finland and African countries? And how do these cultural initiatives support economic relationships?

I’m very proud of what FAS has accomplished with the FALA project. By leveraging literature and the arts, the organisation has significantly strengthened and broadened its impact, fostering cultural understanding across various societal platforms. 

We can now share literature by African and Black authors in public areas, leveraging its power to educate people about the overshadowed history, culture, and perspectives of Africa. 

Also, FAS has been lucky to have such competent and brilliant professionals in the arts and literature fields; their contributions have benefited the organisation’s work.

ON FUTURE GOALS

Looking ahead to the next five years, what specific goals has your organization set for enhancing socio-economic and cultural relations between Finland and African countries, and how do you measure success across these different dimensions?

Our organization has a 60+ year history of fostering connections between the Africa continent and Finland. Our primary goal is to uphold this legacy. 

We share information and strengthen the connection across continents. We wish to represent and support the African diaspora and their communities widely in Finland through our activities and cooperation. 

A key measure of success, in my view, is enabling others to reach their full potential while simultaneously promoting our work throughout society. This should attract more members to support our work.

PARTING WORDS

How can individuals and organizations in both Finland and various African countries support your mission, and what specific opportunities exist for them to become involved with FAS’s work?

For individuals, the easiest way to get involved is by joining as a member of the Finnish-African Society. There are always volunteering opportunities, but one has to remember that volunteering requires motivation and hands-on attitude. 

Our current volunteering team is passionate about strengthening Finland-Africa ties and holds a set of skills from different areas of expertise. One can learn a lot by volunteering with us. Membership alone is sufficient, if one is pressed for time. In the future, I would love to see young people actively involved in FAS and continuing the Finnish-African Society’s legacy.

For organisations, we welcome collaboration, but our work is entirely volunteer-based. We pour our free time outside of our day jobs into this organisation, because we’re passionate about. We hope people approach us with fair and realistic intentions.

Drawn to the organization’s mission, Kati Vertiö joined the Finnish-African Society the way many great things begin—through a friend, perfect timing, and a genuine “why not?” moment. With years spent promoting sports and health among migrant women, volunteering with FAS felt like a natural next step. What began as help with funding developed into the roles of secretary-treasurer and board member. Now, with her multidisciplinary background spanning non-profits, public sector work, and entrepreneurship—plus a quiet talent for making dreams financially sound—she keeps the organizational engine running.

Khaya Ronkainen is a writer and creative professional with a business background. She is passionate about the power of storytelling to inspire change and foster meaningful connections. A South African native, she’s embraced Finland as her second home and draws on the richness of cross-cultural experiences to shape her work and advocacy.