Knowledge as a conscious choice for the futurę - the Finnish exampie

Abstract

Around twenty years ago Finnish economy plunged into deep recession, which was manifested in a rising unemployment rate and increasing public debt. Just a decade later Finland headed the ranking of world’s most technologically advanced countries and was the second most competitive country in the international arena. This enormous success happened mostly because the country took conscious efforts to develop and implement an original concept of knowledge-based economy, coupled with extensive involvement and support from the public at large. Finland’s model of information society harmoniously fits into the country’s welfare State system, incorporating humanistic values and principles of sustainable growth. Economic growth, achieved through innovative technologies, does not represent a goal in itself but, rather, is a means to welfare, security and social cohesion. At present, the Finnish model is faced with many challenges due to globalisation processes. However, it is interesting to look at the distinctive attributes of this model as it has brought numerous social and economic advantages: a successful information society helps to finance the welfare State whereas the welfare State produces superbly educated citizens, capable of leveraging the successes of the country’s knowledge-based economy.