Vantaa is a diverse city, and therefore, work towards equality and combating racism must be an integral part of the city’s operations. However, merely having principled guidelines is not enough; concrete actions are required to ensure equal opportunities for all residents.
Vantaa's Employment and International Customer Services support multilingual and multicultural residents in employment and integration. During the anti-racism week, March 17–23, 2025, various discussion sessions and training will be offered to staff members.
Equality Through Discussion and Training
– During the week, we will conduct, among other things, an interactive training on "Anti-Racism Practices in Customer Work and the Workplace," where we will focus on concrete situations and methods for identifying and addressing racism. Additionally, staff will have the opportunity to engage in a pop-up session with an expert, offering practical advice on how to handle anti-racism situations, says specialist Bahar Mozaffari from Vantaa’s International Customer Services.
– We are also participating in the Ministry of Justice’s "Discrimination-Free Zone" campaign, which promotes equality and reminds about the safety of workplaces and customer service areas for all, continues Mozaffari.
– Everyone is welcome in Vantaa, and here, everyone has the right to live a safe life. We do not accept inappropriate treatment, harassment, or bullying, emphasizes Vantaa's Mayor Pekka Timonen.
A Multicultural Work Community Supports the Promotion of Equality
The diversity of Vantaa’s Employment and International Customer Services staff is a significant advantage, as it enables better understanding and serving of customers.
– When the work community has diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, we can efficiently respond to the needs of our residents and promote social justice, emphasizes Mozaffari.
Promoting equality is ongoing work. The Anti-Racism Week gives the Employment and International Customer Services an opportunity to pause, learn, and strengthen our commitment to equality through everyday actions.
