BURLINGTON, Vt., Oct. 19 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Thursday will welcome Finland’s Ambassador to the United States Mikko Hautala to Vermont to exchange ideas about what Vermonters can learn from Finland and what Finland can learn from Vermont on a range of issues, including health care, education, housing, and the environment.

During the visit, Sen. Sanders and Ambassador Hautala will hold a student town meeting at the Harwood Union Middle and High School in Moretown and a public town meeting in Burlington to discuss how U.S. laws affect our daily lives in the U.S. and how Finland addresses those same issues. Both town meetings will include a question-and-answer session to hear directly from students and the public.

“If we are to address the myriad crises that face our communities, we must not close our eyes to how those same issues are affecting communities around the world and how other countries are choosing to act,” said Sanders. “What is it like to be a working parent in Finland? To go to the doctor? To pay for college? To find affordable housing? To age with dignity? There is much that we can learn from Finland and that Finland can learn from Vermont. I very much look forward to this discussion and hope Vermonters from across the state will join us for this exchange of ideas.”

“It will be a great honor to meet with students and other Vermonters, and hear more from them,” said Ambassador Hautala. “Vermont and Finland are alike in many ways – just think of our nature and forests – and I’m certain we can learn a lot from each other. Finland might not be the best country in everything but we are the happiest country in the world. And that’s a lot.”

PRESS SCHEDULE:
Thursday, October 20, 2022

1:30 p.m. Harwood Student Town Meeting
What: Student Town Meeting with Sen. Sanders and Finnish Ambassador Mikko Hautala
When: Thursday, October 20, 1:30 p.m.
Where: Harwood Union Middle and High School, 458 Vermont Rte 100, Moretown
Press RSVP: All press will be required to sign in at the school’s front office to attend the town meeting. Press will be required to RSVP at  press@sanders.senate.gov. Please be in place 15 minutes prior to the town meeting.
Details: This is a student only event and not open to the general public.

7:00 p.m. Public Town Meeting in Burlington
What: Public Town Meeting with Sen. Bernie Sanders and Finnish Ambassador Mikko Hautala
When: Thursday, October 20, 7:00 p.m.
Where: First Unitarian Universalist Church, 152 Pearl Street, Burlington
Press RSVP: All press will be required to RSVP at  press@sanders.senate.gov. Please be in place 15 minutes prior to the town meeting.
Public RSVP: https://www.sanders.senate.gov/vt-events/sen-bernie-sanders-town-meeting-with-finnish-ambassador-mikko-hautala/
Details: Attendees must follow CDC and Vermont Department of Health guidance. Masks are strongly encouraged.