The opening event of the Centre of Excellence for Multibeing Justice in Indigenous Societies (MultiBEING) will be organised at the Sámi Cultural Centre Sajos in Inari on Monday 30 March, starting at 17.00. The event will be held in Finnish and North Sámi, and the speeches will be interpreted and livestreamed.

The MultiBEING Centre of Excellence examines human’s ultimate responsibility for ensuring a good and just life for all life forms and advances the concept of multibeing justice. Its research draws on Indigenous knowledge practices and conceptual frameworks, which are brought into dialogue with human, social, and legal sciences.

– The ways in which Indigenous peoples organise their societies and live alongside other beings can offer new perspectives and solutions for building a more just and sustainable world order, says consortium leader, Professor of Sámi Studies Sanna Valkonen.

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

At the opening event, researchers will present and discuss their forthcoming research. Artist Áilu Valle will open the event, and Professor Emeritus Veli-Pekka Lehtola will offer a commentary. The speeches in Finnish and North Sámi will be livestreamed, and interpretation will be provided in Finnish and North Sámi. 

– We want to conduct research together with Indigenous communities and in a way that respects them, so it is important for us to hold the Centre’s public opening in the Sámi homeland, says Professor of Indigenous Studies Pirjo Kristiina Virtanen.

After the speeches, coffee and buns will be served, and the audience will have an opportunity for informal discussion with the researchers.

– Welcome to listen and take part in the discussion! the researchers warmly invite.

Further information 

Martta Alajärvi, Communications Officer, MultiBEING, +358 40 528 2599, martta.alajarvi@ulapland.fi 

Event details and livestream link

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