Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam Keijo Norvanto: The key is to ensure that citizens feel heard
WVR - Finland has long been recognized globally for its efficient and adaptable governance system, offering valuable lessons in innovation, transparency, and public trust-building. In an interview with The World and Vietnam Report on Finland’s experience in public governance, held on the occasion of the seminar “Advancing leadership in Public administration, Effective governance, Innovation, and Digital transformation: Nordic and Vietnamese Experiences”, Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam Keijo Norvanto emphasized the role of transparency, accountability, and multi-stakeholder cooperation.
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| Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam Keijo Norvanto affirmed that the core is how to ensure that citizens feel heard, can participate, and have an impact on policymaking. (Photo: Yen Chi) |
Finland has been highly regarded for its transparency and accountability in public governance. What measures can Vietnam adopt to build a more transparent and trustworthy public administration system, especially in the context of digital transformation?
For me, this is a challenging issue not only for Vietnam or Finland but for many countries worldwide. While we may have institutional differences, the fundamental challenge remains: How to ensure that citizens feel heard, can participate, and have an impact on policymaking?
Finland has a multi-party system, coalition governments, and various levels of elections, from Parliament and the President to local governments and the European elections. But the voter turnout is going down. For example, in March 2025, we will hold local elections for Finnish citizens residing in Vietnam. And I expect that the voter turnout will be less than 50, primarily because people do not fully recognize the importance of voting, even though these elections directly impact the public services they use daily.
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Moreover, I believe that Vietnam’s Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index (PAPI) is an initiative that Finland can learn from. This annual survey, with 70,000–80,000 participants, measures public service quality and citizen feedback. Such direct data not only provides authorities with an accurate assessment of governance effectiveness but also creates a mechanism for public supervision, contributing to greater transparency.
Finland is also exploring new ways to enhance citizen participation in policymaking. We have made some innovations regarding a new type of democracy where people can not only vote at the election but also take part in the decision-making process by suggesting and making ideas and developing ideas for political decision-makers.
Ultimately, I believe Vietnam will develop solutions tailored to its governance model. However, regardless of the country, the common goal remains the same: to build a transparent and trustworthy government, where citizens not only receive better services but also have confidence in the country’s sustainable development. When society is stable, the economy grows, and opportunities expand, this trust will be further strengthened.
| At the seminar “Advancing Leadership in Public Administration: Effective Governance, Innovation, and Digital Transformation - Nordic and Vietnamese Experiences” held on March 18, Finnish Ambassador Keijo Norvanto stated: “One of the cornerstones of Finland’s governance is the profound trust our citizens place in their institutions.” “Over generations, we have fostered an environment where the public feels confident that their government will act in their best interests - transparently, ethically, and with accountability,” he emphasized. The Ambassador also pointed out that this trust is not inherent but is built over time through consistent and accountable leadership and the belief that all decisions are made with integrity and inclusiveness. This foundation of trust also empowers Finland to feel both secure and inspired to innovate and build a brighter future together. |
Beyond the role of the government, an important factor in Finland’s successful reforms has been fostering innovation through collaboration between government agencies, the private sector, and international organizations. What lessons can Vietnam learn from this approach to improve public governance?
What surprised me when I came to Vietnam was the level of market mechanism. Vietnam is a market economy where businesses operate with great dynamism, creativity, and government support in their development process. This strength has made Vietnam an attractive destination for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and a magnet for foreign direct investment (FDI). Therefore, continuing to improve the business environment will be a crucial factor in attracting investment and driving economic growth.
In my opinion, to enhance public governance efficiency, Vietnam can continue to improve the business environment and create favorable conditions for enterprises to grow and expand. At the same time, promoting collaboration between businesses, universities, research institutes, and innovation centers will help flourishing SME ecosystem. When businesses can quickly access scientific advancements and integrate innovation into their products and business models, the economy will grow more robustly and sustainably.
In a small country like Finland, it's much easier. We are only 5.6 million, meanwhile, Vietnam has a population of nearly 100 million, but I firmly believe that with its current rapid growth, Vietnam can develop an effective innovation ecosystem.
Over the past three years, I have witnessed remarkable progress so I am confident that shortly, Vietnam will build a strong, interconnected system between the government, businesses, and research organizations. This ecosystem will not only create new business models but also continue to attract substantial domestic and foreign investment, driving sustainable growth.
Thank you, Ambassador!
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