Building a safe Hämeenlinna together
Artificial intelligence is transforming the way work and everyday operations are carried out, including in the municipal sector. The City of Hämeenlinna is purposefully promoting its use as part of developing services and operating methods.
The spring Kotofoorumi gathered about 40 participants at the Hämeenlinna main library on Thursday, May 21, 2026, to discuss what safety feels like in everyday life and what it is built from.
The event was opened by the Chairman of the City Board, Ranjith Kumar Prabhakaran, and the preparation of the city’s safety program was presented by Strategy Director Markku Rimpelä. The evening’s atmosphere was set by the debut performance of the band Opin.
At the heart of the forum was a Timeout discussion held in English, where international residents shared their experiences of safety in Hämeenlinna. The speeches highlighted a shared view: the city is largely perceived as a safe place to live. Nature, a peaceful environment, and a functional everyday life strengthen the sense of security.
Everyday challenges also emerged in the discussion. Finding a common language can make it difficult to handle matters both in service situations and in everyday encounters. Learning the language was seen as an important part of the sense of security and belonging to society. Experiences of bullying and discrimination were shared, and it was also noted that public discourse can increase uncertainty.
Safety was examined broadly. Work, meaningful activities, and participation strengthen the experience of belonging, while the shared responsibility to intervene in discrimination and strengthen equality was emphasized. Services supporting everyday life, such as multilingual service counseling and social orientation, were considered important, although there is still room for improvement in their awareness. The discussions also emphasized mental resilience and the importance of communities – how encounters, participation, and information strengthen trust and safety.
The Timeout discussion also sparked thoughts in the audience, and there were many comments from the floor. Participants particularly appreciated the opportunity to be heard and to participate in collective development.
In Hämeenlinna, Kotofoorumi events bring together city employees, regional operators, and residents to discuss current themes and develop activities together. The events share information, build understanding of diverse everyday life, and strengthen cooperation and participation. At the same time, the forums put the Hämeenlinna strategy and the “Everyone’s Hämeenlinna” plan into practice by promoting equality and community. The forums are organized twice a year.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the preparation, implementation, and active discussion of the event – together we are building a safe Hämeenlinna.