Jassin Rezai from International House Jyväskylä encourages immigrants to participate and influence common issues

It is important to the city of Jyväskylä that new residents feel at home. Jassin Rezai, who works at International House Jyväskylä, encourages immigrants to participate in city events and take initiative if they notice areas for improvement in their daily lives.

— When people from different backgrounds meet, trust and solidarity are created. This makes Jyväskylä a safer and more pleasant place for everyone. Furthermore, when we share our experiences, the city functions better for everyone, Rezai explains.

We will lose enormous potential if we do not get all city residents involved in education, working life, and influencing matters concerning their own city.

For immigrants, participating in decision-making and managing common issues is an opportunity to build a stronger life for themselves. By expressing your own ideas, you can influence the types of services and opportunities that will be available in Jyväskylä in the future. This could mean, for example, better recreational facilities for children, new language courses for adults, or a safer living environment for everyone.

— When you participate, you learn Finnish faster, meet new people, and understand how this society works. At the same time, you become more confident—you realize that people listen to you," he says. For many, participation is also a gateway to new opportunities. Through the community, you can find a hobby, a friend, or even a job. It all starts with joining an activity that interests you together with others, Rezai summarizes.

How to participate and make a difference in Jyväskylä

Influencing matters in your own community and participating in decision-making does not require much time or good Finnish language skills. Small steps are enough to get you started: "Good ways to get to know life in a new city are to participate in events, join an association that interests you, or try volunteering," Rezai encourages.

There are many associations in Finland through which anyone can influence issues that interest them. Volunteering allows you to use your skills and get to know other people in Jyväskylä at the same time. 

— Start small. Get to know an association that interests you or participate in an event. There you will realize that you are not alone and that your views are valuable, Rezai encourages.

Some networks have been compiled on the International House Jyväskylä website.
It is also worth checking out the events calendar for Central Finland.

By participating, you are helping to build a Jyväskylä where everyone's voice is heard. According to Rezai, even a small action can be meaningful.

— When you share your opinion, you provide valuable information that decision-makers need.

You can submit feedback or observations about services in your area to the City of Jyväskylä's feedback service. However, please do not include sensitive information such as names in your feedback. Feedback will be processed by the City of Jyväskylä official responsible for the subject area.

— I want to be involved in building my home town of Jyväskylä. I have been selected for a three-year term on the Nordic Migrant Expert Forum, where I will be able to raise issues that are important to immigrants in my role as an expert. Important themes that I want to promote through the forum include the importance of participation and solidarity, the status of immigrant women and girls, the promotion of education and working life, and improving the status of second-generation immigrants. In addition, ways of familiarizing immigrants with democracy and civil rights are important themes, Rezai lists. 

Cohesion is created through actions

Rezai has lived in Finland for almost 25 years, but he still remembers well what it was like to be new in Jyväskylä. 

— At first, everything was new – a new country, a new city, a new environment. Newcomers to Jyväskylä need to learn the language, find hobbies, and build networks. I soon realized that in this country, it pays to be patient, but also active and persistent. I boldly joined in various activities, found friends, and gained a sense of belonging to this city, Rezai recalls.

Rezai wants to encourage all immigrants to boldly influence the development of their new home.

— Don't underestimate yourself. You have the right and the duty to participate. Don't wait for an invitation; step forward and make a difference. Society changes when it is changed, Rezai concludes.

Rezai will serve as a member of the Nordic Migrant Expert Forum (NMEF) from 2025 to 2027. All members of the group were born outside the Nordic countries. Through the forum, Rezai will be able to influence Nordic integration policy and contribute his views as an expert with an immigrant background to the public debate.