Aleksi Valta, Director of the Association of Finnish Children’s Cultural Centers, has been elected to the board of directors of the European Network of Cultural Centers (ENCC). The election took place during the ENCC’s annual meeting held in Riga, Latvia, on June 4, 2024.
The ENCC, with 121 members, is a prominent organisation that supports cultural centres throughout Europe, providing a platform for sharing knowledge, best practices, and advocating for the cultural sector’s interests.
Since joining the ENCC in 2020, the Association of Finnish Children’s Cultural Centers has actively participated in the organisation’s activities, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. “We have members from both our office and member organizations in every ENCC working group, and our staff has benefited from the free training sessions,” says Executive Director Aleksi Valta.
The recent ENCC board election was remarkable. First, a vote was held to elect a new chairperson to succeed the long-serving Ivo Peeters. Out of four candidates, Vittorio Bianco from Italy was elected. Following this, five board members were selected from ten candidates, with Aleksi Valta among those elected.
“This is a great message as the European Parliament elections approach. Finland is part of Europe, with much to offer and to receive. The Association of Finnish Children’s Cultural Centers is a professional organisation whose international work and visibility will significantly increase with Valta’s election,” says the association’s chairperson, Fatim Diarra.
“Firstly, board membership in the ENCC is important for our association and our members’ international collaboration opportunities. Secondly, it’s great for building my expertise. It’s fantastic to bring Finnish expertise to the organisation, make new contacts for Finland, and learn about board work in a European organisation,” says ENCC board member and Director Aleksi Valta from Riga.
In addition, the accessibility of children’s culture was highlighted during the ENCC annual meeting in Riga from June 4-6, 2024, at the “Tracing the Trails: for Inclusive Culture in Unequal Times” seminar. Pilvi Kuitu and Tetti Tuhkio presented the results and accessibility efforts of the Accessible Hobby- project at the seminar.
