Mika Vanhanen

Mika Vanhanen (enoprogramme.org)

Mika Vanhanen hails from the Nordic country of Finland. He is a dreamer, an innovator, family man, educator, musician, change maker and the founder of ENO, Environment Online, the global virtual school and network for sustainable development. Since 2000, according to ENO, there are now 10,000 schools in 152 countries taking part in this international push for a sustainable planet. ENO cooperates with various bodies within the United Nations to implement it's interactive curricula and activities to resolve environmental issues through community engagement.  ENO was recently recognized at the RIO+20 summit in Brazil, the UN Climate Change Conference in Doha, Qatar and Tbilis+35 for it's efforts to plant 100 million trees by 2017. Lucky for us they are well on there way!

I recently spoke with Mika via social media and was able to get this interview.

Where does Mika Vanhanen come from? When did you realize your interest in Peace and the Environment?

I come from Joensuu. It is a town in Eastern Finland, about 100 km from the border of Finland and Russia. I was inspired by Wangari Maathai and her Green Belt Movement and had an idea to start the new school year with tree planting in ENO. This was in September nine years ago. Later that same year Wangari received the Nobel Peace Prize.

Tree Planting (enoprogramme.org)

How do Peace and Sustainable development go hand in hand?

You cannot build a sustainable future if there is no peace. On the other hand, peace must be built on sustainable development.

For someone who has never heard of ENO and the work you do.what is ENO?

ENO is a global virtual school network for sustainable development where thousands of schools in about 150 countries study the same environmental topics together and make concrete deeds for the environment. ENO comes from Environment Online, it is also the name of the village where I launched it 13 years ago, in a small primary school.

What inspired you to start ENO?

ENO is a spinoff from the GLOBE program (www.globe.gov), an initiative by Al Gore in Rio 1992. It was first a web-based program in the 1990's where schools and scientists shared their measurements to benefit the environment. My school was amongst the most active ones. GLOBE was mostly focused on a scientific approach, lacking interaction between schools and more comprehensive approach in learning for sustainable development. As that kind of project did not exist, I decided to create ENO.

Who runs ENO?

ENO is a voluntary network. It is run by ENO Programme Association in Finland and based on voluntary work. We have country coordinators in 142 countries who share information about ENO activities, translate material into their mother languages and inform schools to join.

Why an online Virtual School for Sustainable Development?

To connect schools around the world to study and work together for the environment. Without ICT it would not be possible. Sustainable development is a concept always mentioned in curricula but only words. This makes the concept live at schools.

How do teachers, students and others get involved with you?

We interact mostly through email and social media.

What are you doing for the International Day of Peace, 2013 and can anyone join you?

We will celebrate our 10th tree planting day for peace 20 September. And plant trees for peace, naturally! This time it is open to anyone interested. We ask participants to plant 10 trees in a circle. It is a shape of international peace symbol. As tree planting started in 2004, we will put signs for each tree with the names of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates 2004-2012. One tree with a sign of 10th ENO Tree Planting For Peace.

Mika

What does peace mean to you?

I want to promote peace in everyday life. Not by speaking about it but acting. Finland is one of the most peaceful countries in the world. But it wasn't 70 years ago. My parents and their family had to leave their homes, were evacuated then. It was because of war between Finland and Russia. It is not only people who die and suffer from wars, many have to leave their homes and live in uncertain and poor situations. Therefore, we need more peace in the world.

How can we see an online copy of the PEACE FOREST book by ENO students?

We only have a few stories online as we did not have resources to publish more. But you can find those stories here.

You recently quit being a teacher to run ENO full time. Was that a hard decision and what does your day look like now?

Yes it was even though I had unofficially run ENO full time for many years. The city of Joensuu promised to support our association and we try to get the rest of funding from our ministries. It is like walking on the ice. Now it seems thick enough but hoping it won't get thin. As I have my family to support as well. One can call me a lifestyle entrepreneur.

You are also an accomplished musician. What is happening with your music now?

For ENO, I have composed songs to spread the message, like tree planting song for environment and peace. I started to compose music 20 years ago. Now I finally will publish my first album called The Red Box (Punainen Lipas). Lyrics are based on different stories and music blues, jazz and stage music, from New Orleans Second life mood to Berlin in 30's, from bossa nova to lyric songs. Mika Vanhanen Ensemble also has a page also in Facebook.

You have met some awesome people on the planet, do you have a hero and if so, why?

People inspire me, public persons and men on the street. I admire environmentalists, philosophers, scientists etc. Yesterday I had a lunch with Dr Rajendra Pachauri, IPCC. He is a very inspiring person, not only because of his knowledge but his passion for the environment. Or like Jane Goodall. I am also inspired by teachers and students around the world when seeing their dedication to environmental matters and humanity.

What advice do you have for children who are facing a questionable future due to climate change and so much conflict in the world?

Instead of demonizing climate change or conflicts, we need to encourage children to act for their environment together, organize campaigns and activities, while having fun at the same time. We need to raise children towards active citizenship, while giving them Objective information and positive actions.

If you had the attention of the world for 5 minutes what would you do or say?

Think also with your heart. Is the meaning of life to live only for your own benefit or for us all? When making decisions, think about your real values, humanity and equality. We only have one planet. Show your good thoughts in action, not only in your mind.

What gives you hope?

People around me, offline and online.

Thank you Mika for doing what you do for your family, community, country and planet. I'd like to end on a Mika quote:

"Wherever you find a spot, at least plant a seed of peace in your heart!"