From 9 to 11 June 2026, the partners of the Cultural Synergy – Advancing Care through Filipino-Nordic Cooperation project gathered in Helsinki, Finland, for the first Learning, Teaching and Training Activity (LTTA 1). Hosted by Taitotalo, the event brought together representatives from partner organizations across Europe to strengthen cooperation, exchange experiences, and continue developing project outcomes aimed at supporting the integration of Southeast Asian workers into Nordic societies.
The first day began with a warm welcome and networking session, allowing participants to reconnect and establish new professional connections. The project team presented the latest research findings, highlighting the challenges and opportunities faced by Southeast Asian migrants in the Nordic countries. Following the presentations, participants took part in interactive workshops where they discussed common integration needs and explored practical ways to support newcomers through educational and workplace-based tools. The collaborative atmosphere encouraged the sharing of ideas and experiences from different national contexts.
On the second day, participants attended inspiring presentations focusing on the experiences of Southeast Asian workers in the Nordic region and the process of recruitment, adaptation, and integration into Western societies. The workshops continued with mixed international groups working together to identify key development areas and design practical tools that could help migrants better understand workplace culture, communication practices, and social expectations. In the evening, the group enjoyed a cultural programme at the historic Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The guided tour and dinner at Bastion Bistro provided an excellent opportunity to experience Finnish culture while strengthening relationships among project partners.
The final day focused on future planning and the development of concrete project outputs. Participants worked in smaller groups to further refine the proposed tools and discuss their content, structure, and implementation. The partners also agreed on how responsibilities would be shared among the participating organizations in the next phase of the project. The event concluded with a summary of achievements, reflections on the learning process, and the definition of future actions needed to successfully achieve the project objectives.
The second LTTA in Helsinki was a valuable opportunity for learning, collaboration, and cultural exchange. It strengthened the partnership between organizations, fostered the sharing of knowledge and best practices, and contributed significantly to the development of innovative solutions that will support the integration of Southeast Asian workers in Nordic countries. The event combined professional development with intercultural experiences, making it an important milestone in the Cultural Synergy project journey.
