Wood for Thoughts – Wellbeing and Innovations from Sustainable Forest-based Bioeconomy

Think Like A Finn days are organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland.

Programme overview 

10.00-13.00  
Opening words 
Sari Essayah, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland 
Representative of the Japanese Government  
 
Session 1: How can the forest sector contribute to the well-being of people and society?  

Keynote: From resources to value added for the forest sector and society 
Dr. Antti Asikainen, Chairman of the Finnish Forest Bioeconomy Science Panel and Executive Vice President for Research of the Natural Resources Institute Finland 

Panel discussion: 
Mr. Erno Järvinen, Senior Ministerial Advisor, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland
Mr. Mikko Kylävainio, Keitele Group
Dr. Antti Asikainen, Executive Vice President, Natural Resources Institute, Finland
Representative, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Japan
Break – Possibility to explore the New Wood exhibition (Uusi Puu) — a showcase of sustainable bio-based products and future materials 
 
Session 2: Innovation from Forest-Based Bioeconomy 

Keynote: Perspectives on Japanese consumer preferences 
Prof. Dr. Parissa Haghirian, Kyoto University of Advanced Science 

Panel discussion: 
Prof. Dr. Parissa Haghirian, Professor of international management and marketing, Kyoto University of Advanced Science
Dr. Petro Lahtinen, Chairman and Co-Founder, Lavlier
Mr. Masahiro INAYAMA, Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo, Holzstr Co. Ltd. 
Marko Saarelainen, Honkarakenne
Closing Remarks 
Sari Essayah, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland 
Representative of the Japanese Government  
13:00 Lunch at the Nordic Pavilion 
 
15:00 Expo Tour at the Osaka World Expo 
In the afternoon, guests are welcome to join a guided tour of other pavilions at the Expo