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Personal Reflection/Anecdote

Reflections on Tampere

By Gunilla Nordén

Attendance at DKG conferences and conventions unites women educators
from around the world, providing professional stimulation as well as wonderful
networking opportunities. Here is another view of the 2023 International Conference
in Tampere—this time from the perspective of a European member!

Wednesday, July 26
My first DKG international conference was in Amsterdam, the Netherlands; my second in Borås,
Sweden; my third in Tallinn, Estonia; and my fourth was in 2024 in Tampere, Finland. I am a member of
the International World Fellowship Committee, and, because Sweden is a neighbor to Finland, it was I
who represented that committee in Tampere.
My trip to Finland started early in the morning since I had a long travel day ahead. I took the train
to Linkoping; a bus to Arlanda, Stockholm; a plane to Helsinki; a 3-hour bus ride to Tampere; and then
walked from the bus station to the hotel. On the walk to the hotel, I passed a beautiful Russian church and
finally arrived 2 hours after the start of the Opening Ceremony and the first General Session.
At the Opening Ceremony, several DKG dignitaries and
Finnish officials welcomed everybody to the conference.
After the Opening Ceremony everybody went to a reception
at Vapriikki Museum Centre, where they were served snacks
and drinks.
I waited in the hotel restaurant for everybody to return
from the museum, and when the buses arrived, I felt that
my conference had begun. One always finds women one has
met before—and, of course, I also had Swedish colleagues
with whom to talk. Because I have been executive secretary
of Sweden, I knew many women, and I always enjoy seeing
everyone again.

Thursday, July 27
I set up a World Fellowship table at the Expo on Thursday
morning, including my laptop with the presentation of Award
winners. When the Expo was open that day, I was at the table
answering members’ questions.
For the Second General Session, we were in a big lecture
room with a wonderful view of nature outside. The day
featured three keynote speakers: Sirpa Holmström explained
the Erasmus Programme: Opening Minds and Changing
Lives; Dr. Carita Prokki told about Teachers for the Future— Roses greet attendees of the 2023
Experiences and Ideas; and (after a coffee break) Director International Conference in Tampere.
Kaisa Laaksonen presented Reading Children’s Literature in Photo by Jaana Hanninen from the DKG
Finland: Projects on Promoting Reading and Some Ideas for Events App.
Every Adult.
Workshops started after the general session. Then, at the Celebrate Europe lunch, attendees from

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