1. Current issues in Finnish IPY activities www.ipy-finland.fi Coordination: Thule Institute, Univ. of Oulu and Arctic Centre, Univ. of Lapland

2. Research - Scientific projects are proceeding. There are about 10 IPY projects coordinated from Finland, the leading projects are:  ICESTAR/IHY (Interhemispheric Conjugacy in Geospace Phenomena and their Heliospheric Drivers), coordinated by the Finnish Meteorological Institute  Change and variability of Arctic Systems Nordaustlandet, Svalbard - "Kinnvika”, coordinated from Uppsala University, Sweden and University of Lapland, Finland  LICHEN (The Linquistic and Cultural Heritage Electronic Network), coordinated from the University of Oulu, Finland -In addition Finnish researchers engage with about 100 international IPY-research projects, e.g.:  DAMOCLES (Developing Arctic Modelling and observing Capabilities for Long-term Environmental Studies), participants from Finland being Finnish Institute of marine Research, Finnish Meteorological Institute and Helsinki University of Technology  APEX (Arctic Paleoclimate and its Extremes), participants from the Geological survey of Finland, University of Helsinki and University of Oulu There is no specific IPY-funding in Finland, the projects are funded through regular research funding mechanisms

3. Developing research station networks Progress has been made in developing network of high quality circumarctic research station network  SAON development  LTSER (Long-term socio-ecologial research) platform development

4. Education and outreach  International Master’s Programs has been developed (e.g. Barents cross-border university)  IPY-information through the national IPY-website (www.ipy-finland.fi)www.ipy-finland.fi  IPY-information in scientific conferences and other events - following conferences were part of the Finnish national series of IPY-events:  e.g. ISCORD 2007, The 8th International Symposium on Cold Region Development, Tampere  Tourism and Global Change in Polar Regions, an International Conference, University of Oulu  IPY related articles in popular magazines and newspapers  Kinnvika netschool for schoolchildren  Cooperation with SamiSoster Society: health information in North Sami language and developing health research projects on Sami

5. Upcoming events in 2008  IPY Celebration Congress of Geoscientific Studies. Congress will be held at the Geological Survey of Finland in Espoo, November 12-13, 2008 Congress website: http://projects.gtk.fi/polaarikokous/ENGLISH/ http://projects.gtk.fi/polaarikokous/ENGLISH/ Organisers: Geological Survey of Finland, Geological Society of Finland, Geophysical Society of Finland, Finnish National Committee of Quaternary Research (INQUA), Finnish National Committee on Arctic and Antarctic Research  6th International Kastelli Symposium. Centre for Arctic Medicine, Thule Institute, University of Oulu, November 2008. 2009 - IPY-Finland Conclusion seminar. (Date is open)