Jorma Suvanto, Finland's new Ambassador to Nepal started his work at the Embassy in Kathmandu on September 1st 2015. Nepal has gone through a very challenging time this year; the constitution process has been taking minor political steps, the country was devastated by a major earthquake in the spring followed by a significant, long-term reconstruction effort and the recent, violent demonstrations cause concern. The beginning of the Ambassador's tenure is full of challenges. Yet, when being interviewed on the expectations of his new assignment, Jorma was enthusiastic about supporting the development of the different aspects of the society in Nepal.
How would you describe Kathmandu after spending your first few weeks here?
Interesting and exciting. The culture is very diverse and being a newcomer in Asia, experiencing all of it for the first time feels like a positive shock!
Please, tell us about your work history?
I started working for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland in 1989. Before that I worked as an expert for rural water supply project in Southern Tanzania during the years 1985 - 1988. I am a Geologist by education and that was the background for me to work in the project. After that I have been working in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs with the Eastern and Southern African countries. In Tanzania I worked for seven years, and then in Zambia, as Chief of the Embassy - Charge d' Affaires - for four years during 2003 - 2007. I returned to the Ministry in Helsinki from Zambia and worked as a Director of the Unit for Southern Africa for eight years. Finally after that, it was time to accept my current posting in Kathmandu.
What was it in Asia that attracted you?
It was a long time to work with African countries for 30 years. I felt that I could try something new, as this opportunity of working in Kathmandu was given to me. I got a unique opportunity to make acquaintance of a new culture, develop myself and at the same time utilize my knowledge from Africa in a new environment. Finland has an Embassy in Kathmandu as Nepal is one of Finland's seven long-term development cooperation partners and I believe that my experience from Africa will support our development cooperation efforts here in Asia as well.
How does the actual everyday life of Nepal meet the expectation you had of the country before?
My expectations of the capital Kathmandu and the surroundings were quite realistic. Nepal, which has the geographic area of less than half the size of Finland with 30 million inhabitants compared to Finland's 5,4 million, succeeded to startle me in a special way. Especially the cultural diversity and lively way of life surprised me in a nice way. I had heard in advance that living in Nepal is enjoyable especially due to the friendly and welcoming people. Although I had heard about it, it still has been a great and amazing surprise to experience it myself from the very beginning. The genuine warmth and honest, whole-hearted way of the local people to approach other people is something of which we all could learn from.
What do you expect from Nepal – considering work and your free time as well?
My work is mostly related to development cooperation. I will be working very hard to have a significant influence in Nepal through our development cooperation projects, although Finland did major cuts in its funding very recently. The situation in Nepal is critical due to the earthquake reconstruction efforts, as it requires a lot from the Nepali people and also from the donors. Still my hope is to keep our development cooperation focus in reducing poverty along with the reconstruction activities. This morning I read worrying news from a local newspaper that in some far-western areas of Nepal poverty has increased significantly during the past ten years. Our mission is now to coordinate our work with other donors in a way that we can use all possible synergies to reduce poverty in Nepal. This is especially important now due to our limited budget.
My second challenge and expectation is related to the work community; as the person in charge I feel that it is important to keep people at work as motivated, skilled and comfortable as they are right now. In this way we can achieve results! I like to ask my colleagues, whether they are willing and happy to come to work in the morning. If the answer is "Yes", then the foundation of good work has been built. However, we do also accept the bad days! My colleagues in the Embassy are really competent and I feel that this is an excellent ground for cooperation. As work is a very big and important part of life, I am delighted to be responsible for my colleagues' wellbeing at the embassy.
My work and free time are pleasantly intertwined and sometimes it is not easy to separate them. Sometimes this might pose a challenge, as everyone needs also private free time. Nepal is a great country for all kinds of free time activities! We enjoy trekking and spending time in the nature with my wife Marjut and Nepal is offering some stunning opportunities for that. My work in Kathmandu is challenging also because of the physical surroundings – for example due to the earthquake risk and high levels of air pollution – I will every now and then step back by travelling around Asia and explore the surrounding countries with my wife as well.
What new things or ideas do you wish to bring into the Embassy of Finland in Kathmandu?
I would like to bring a pinch of my experience from the decades in Africa – especially regarding development cooperation and poverty reduction. I wish also to be able to enrich the work community with the culture of dialogic and sympathetic leadership. I honestly want to listen to my colleagues individually as well as a working community as a whole.
What has surprised you in Nepal?
I am surprised by the ability of the people to cope and continue life in the middle of poverty and simple circumstances. It is remarkable that despite the tragedy of the earthquake, people still have the strength to plan the future and move forward. I feel that people in here have a special, ennobled state of mind – some kind of a noble soul – which I wish I could one day carry with me to my own culture to be copied and followed.
Would you like to say something to conclude?
Before coming to Nepal I felt really excited to start in my new task as an Ambassador. Now, after a couple of weeks and after meeting the people, I expect quite a lot from this mission! I feel, that I have tackled a "once in a life time-challenge" which will be an unforgettable experience.
Nina Takkinen
The author is working at the Embassy of Finland in Kathmandu as a trainee.
Updated 9/17/2015
