Young Academy Finland has been elected as a member of ALLEA, the European Association of Science Academies. With membership of the Young Academy Finland, ALLEA now represents 60 academies from around 40 countries. In addition to Finland, the Young Academies of Belgium, Scotland, Sweden, Germany, Spain and Hungary are members.
”ALLEA has been bringing together traditional academies since 1994, but young academies have only been part of the organization since 2020. This expansion towards earlier career stages is very important, and I’m glad that we will be a part of adding young researchers’ voices to their conversations”, says Velma Aho, the leader of Young Academy Finland’s international matters action task group.
The chair of the board, Lasse Lehtonen continues:
“The ALLEA membership significantly strengthens our international engagement in shaping the future of research and addressing key science policy issues across Europe. It also reflects our growing global profile, and I find it a positive sign that ALLEA welcomes young academies as members. I hope this will inspire our own members to explore the unique opportunities that the membership in ALLEA offers.”
ALLEA’s objectives include facilitating scientific cooperation across borders and disciplines. Jointly with its members, ALLEA seeks to improve the conditions for research, to provide the best independent and interdisciplinary science advice available, and to strengthen the role of science in society. In doing so, ALLEA channels the expertise of European academies for the benefit of the research community, decision-makers and the public.