The opening event of the Centre of Excellence for Multibeing Justice in Indigenous Societies (MultiBEING) will be organised at the Sámi Cultural Centre Sajos, Inari, on Monday 30 March, 5:00–7:00 pm. At the event, the MultiBEING researchers will present and discuss their newly launched research.

In Indigenous thought, as well as political and legal orders, humans and their social worlds are indivisible from the environment: humans co-construct shared societies with other beings. The Centre of Excellence for Multibeing Justice in Indigenous Societies examines human’s ultimate responsibility for ensuring a good and just life for all life forms.

The Centre of Excellence, funded by the Research Council of Finland, will operate during the 2026–2033 programme period. It is led by Professor of Sámi Studies Sanna Valkonen (University of Lapland), Professor of Indigenous Studies Pirjo Kristiina Virtanen (University of Helsinki), and Professor of International Law Lotta Viikari (University of Lapland).

Artist Áilu Valle will open the event, and Professor Emeritus Veli-Pekka Lehtola will offer a commentary. The event will be held in Finnish and North Sámi. The speeches will be livestreamed, and interpretation will be provided in Finnish and North Sámi.

After the speeches, coffee and buns will be served, and the audience will be able to talk informally with the researchers. All are welcome to listen and take part in the discussion!

The speeches can be followed via the livestream here in Zoom.

Further information:

Martta Alajärvi
Communications Officer MultiBEING
Tel. +358 40 528 2599
martta.alajarvi (at) ulapland.fi