Speakers

Hallgeir Berge
Hallgeir Berge is Regional Leader for KIA (Christian Intercultural Work) in Bergen, Norway. He holds an MSc in Global Migration and has been engaged with refugees since 2005 in both public and non-profit sectors. His experience includes integration work in Norway, visits to forcibly returned asylum seekers in Africa and Southern Europe, and extensive involvement in family reunification.

Wosenu Dandena
In Finland, Dr. Wosenu Dandena consults on multiculturalism and religious leadership. Working with the Pentecostal Church of Finland and The Cross Cooperation Ministry, he advises congregations on hospitality and integration. He focuses on bridging cultural gaps, helping traditional Finnish churches evolve into inclusive environments for diverse immigrant and African communities.

Ulla Dahlen
Dr. Ulla Dahlen is a Finnish therapist and author specializing in Christian counseling and mental well-being. With a PhD from the USA, she trains pastoral counselors and supports missionaries. Notably, she developed a trauma-informed psychosocial support program for the KotoDia project, focusing on the integration of immigrants into communities.

Inka Hopsu
Inka Hopsu is a Member of Parliament from Uusimaa serving her second term, Vice Chair of the Green Parliamentary Group, a City Councillor in Espoo, and a member of the City Board. In Parliament, she serves as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and as a deputy member of the Grand Committee, which is responsible for EU affairs. She works extensively on issues related to education, integration, and development cooperation. Hopsu is also serving her second term on Parliament’s OSCE delegation and as Chair of the Parliamentary Human Rights Network.

By education, Hopsu holds a Master’s degree in Education and is a qualified primary school teacher. She worked as a teacher for over ten years, mainly as a special education teacher or as a teacher for students with immigrant backgrounds. Before becoming a Member of Parliament, she worked at the Finnish Church Aid as a liaison officer for the Teachers Without Borders network and served as a representative in the UNESCO Teacher Task Force.

Kaisa Huhtala
Kaisa Huhtala is the Vicar of Teljä Parish. Since 2015, she has focused on immigrant work and advocacy for asylum seekers. A member of the Zonta human rights organization since 1991, she promotes social justice and multicultural integration within the church community. Kaisa is the chair of the board of Petra31.

Harun Ibrahim
Harun Ibrahim is an author and the Director of Arabic Ministry for Avainmedia based in Finland. Originally from Jerusalem, he leads Al Hayat Ministries to engage in global Christian-Muslim dialogue through media. He focuses on bridging cultural gaps and providing spiritual leadership for multicultural communities.

Timo Keskitalo
Timo Keskitalo is a pastor and missionary for the Patmos Foundation, specializing in immigrant work and Christian-Muslim dialogue. He leads Farsi-speaking congregations and trains churches on multicultural encounters. An expert in asylum matters for converts, he focuses on bridging cultural gaps through education and pastoral care in Finland.

Nils Malmström
Nils Malmström is a researcher specializing in multiculturalism and immigrant integration within the Pentecostal movement. Based in Sweden, his work examines the development of immigrant churches and their role in society. He is an author on the integration of African pentecostals and advocates for inclusive multicultural church environments.

Peter Schiel
Peter Schiel is a Multicultural Work Priest for the Helsinki Orthodox Parish. A Master of Theology and integration counselor, he supports diverse linguistic communities and leads English-language catechism. With a trilingual background, he focuses on interfaith dialogue and helping immigrants integrate into local Finnish parish life through multilingual activities.

Jussi Seppälä
Jussi Seppälä is a communications expert, theologian, and former YLE foreign correspondent. He has served as a diplomat in Brussels and a chaplain for peacekeepers. Currently, he coordinates immigrant integration and Finnish language courses at the Finnish Bible Institute, focusing on helping newcomers transition into Finnish society through education.

Ulla Siirto
Ulla Siirto is a Specialist at the National Church Council and an Associate Professor at Diak University. A PhD in social sciences, she focuses on multiculturalism, migration, and diaconia. She advocates for refugee integration and supports churches in building inclusive communities through research, teaching, and policy guidance in Finland.

Terhi Tafari
Terhi Tafari is a Senior Adviser and Team Leader at the Finnish Immigration Service. An expert in human rights and human trafficking, she leads the national assistance system for victims. With a background in law and social sciences, she coordinates international anti-trafficking efforts and develops digital support tools for victims in Finland.