| Name: | Andy Giler |
| Year of birth: | 10.03.1987 |
| Municipality: |
Turku |
| Town: | Turku |
| Title: | Audiovisual Producer |
| Email: | thelatinpointofview@gmail.com |
| Phone: | 0413157049 |
Andy
Giler
Turku
""We Belong, we Create and Inspire" Vi hör ihop, vi skapar och inspirerar. Me kuulumme yhteen, me luomme ja inspiroimme. "
ENG:
I’m Andy Giler a videographer, entrepreneur, and community builder who’s passionate about making Turku a more inclusive and vibrant place for everyone. Originally from Ecuador, I’ve been living in Finland for four years, running my own business and creating The Latin Point of View podcast to help internationals navigate life here.
I believe in equal opportunities, better integration, and a city where everyone feels at home. I want to bring fresh ideas to the table, strengthen community connections, support local businesses, and create more opportunities for internationals and Finns alike. My goal is to make Turku a city where diversity is valued, voices are heard, and everyone can reach their full potential.
Let’s build a more connected and inclusiveTurku together!
FIN:
Olen Andy Giler – videokuvaaja, yrittäjä ja yhteisön rakentaja, joka on intohimoinen tekemään Turusta kaikille entistä osallistavamman ja elinvoimaisemman kaupungin. Olen kotoisin Ecuadorista ja olen asunut Suomessa neljä vuotta, pyörittäen omaa yritystäni ja luoden The Latin Point of View -podcastia auttaakseni kansainvälisiä asukkaita sopeutumaan elämään täällä.
Uskon yhtäläisiin mahdollisuuksiin, parempaan integraatioon ja kaupunkiin, jossa jokainen tuntee olonsa kotoisaksi. Haluan tuoda uusia ideoita pöytään, vahvistaa yhteisön yhteenkuuluvuutta, tukea paikallisia yrityksiä ja luoda enemmän mahdollisuuksia niin kansainvälisille asukkaille kuin suomalaisillekin. Tavoitteeni on tehdä Turusta kaupunki, jossa monimuotoisuutta arvostetaan, kaikkien ääni kuuluu ja jokainen voi saavuttaa täyden potentiaalinsa.
Rakennetaan yhdessä yhteenkuuluvampi ja osallistavampi Turku!
SWE:
Jag är Andy Giler – en videograf, entreprenör och samhällsbyggare som brinner för att göra Åbo till en mer inkluderande och levande stad för alla. Ursprungligen från Ecuador har jag bott i Finland i fyra år, drivit mitt eget företag och skapat The Latin Point of View-podden för att hjälpa internationella invånare att hitta sin väg här.
Jag tror på lika möjligheter, bättre integration och en stad där alla känner sig hemma. Jag vill bidra med nya idéer, stärka gemenskapen, stötta lokala företag och skapa fler möjligheter för både internationella invånare och finländare. Mitt mål är att göra Åbo till en stad där mångfald värdesätts, alla röster hörs och där varje individ kan utvecklas fullt ut.
Låt oss tillsammans bygga ett mer sammanlänkat och inkluderande Åbo!
Important political topics
Equality and Equity
As someone who has experienced migration firsthand and works on integration through The Latin Point of View podcast, I see equality and equity as two key concepts that shape the immigrant experience in Finland.
Equality means that everyone gets the same opportunities, resources, or treatment, regardless of their background. While this sounds fair, in reality, not everyone starts from the same place. Language barriers, cultural differences, and lack of networks can make it much harder for internationals to access opportunities the same way Finns do.
Equity, on the other hand, recognizes these differences and focuses on providing the right support so that everyone can truly thrive. It means adjusting policies, offering tailored support, and ensuring that internationals and Finns alike have what they need to succeed—not just in theory, but in practice.
Through my podcast and my work, I’ve seen that successful integration happens when equity is prioritized. Internationals don’t just need opportunities; they need accessible opportunities. They don’t just need information; they need guidance that fits their reality.
To build a truly inclusive Turku, we need to move beyond just equality and embrace equity—because when everyone gets the right tools to succeed, the entire city benefits.
Thriving citizens
For a city that is constantly growing, its people must thrive—not just survive. As an international living in Finland and working on integration through The Latin Point of View podcast, I see thriving as more than just having a job or learning the language. It’s about feeling valued, connected, and empowered to contribute to society.
A thriving citizen is someone who has access to opportunities, a strong support network, and a sense of belonging. But for many internationals, the path to thriving is filled with barriers—limited job prospects, language challenges, and cultural gaps that make full participation in society difficult.
To create an environment where all citizens can thrive, we need:
Stronger support systems – Practical guidance for internationals in work, education, and daily life.
Inclusive policies – Recognizing and valuing the skills and perspectives that internationals bring.
Community engagement – Encouraging meaningful connections between internationals and locals.
When all residents, both Finns and internationals, are given the right tools to succeed, the entire city benefits.
A thriving Turku is one where everyone feels at home, has a voice, and can contribute to building a better future.
Candidate's answers in election machine
1 / 11
Early childhood education should be free for everyone.
2 / 11
Schools should prioritize traditional textbooks over digital learning materials.
The digital era is moving fast, and while technology is an essential tool, its effectiveness depends largely on how it’s used. Right now, many schools and educators may not be fully equipped to leverage digital tools to their maximum potential. Instead of relying on a complete shift from textbooks to digital devices, we should prioritize training educators to use technology in the right way. If we focus on educating teachers about how to properly integrate digital learning tools, they can then guide students toward a balance between traditional methods and modern technology. For example, while digital tools can be used to enhance research and collaboration, textbooks provide structure and stability—something that can be lost in an over-reliance on technology. When teachers are trained to use digital resources alongside textbooks, they can create a hybrid learning environment where students benefit from both worlds. It’s also crucial to remember that not all students have equal access to digital devices or the internet. This gap can widen the inequality between students. By prioritizing textbooks, we ensure equity in education, ensuring that all students, regardless of their resources, have access to the same educational materials.
3 / 11
One of the municipality’s most important tasks is to invest in sports facilities and opportunities for exercise and recreation.
I completely agree that investing in sports facilities is crucial for both a healthy lifestyle and integration within the community. Having more spaces for sports encourages physical activity, which is essential for well-being, and provides a natural setting for people to meet and connect. From my own experience, sports have been a fantastic way for me to build friendships with locals. When people engage in sports together, they bond over shared experiences, making it easier to integrate into the community. Expanding these opportunities benefits both individual health and strengthens the social fabric of the city.
4 / 11
It is important to provide all residents with equal opportunities for cultural activities.
5 / 11
The municipality should introduce or improve opportunities for residents to influence how municipal funds are used through participatory budgeting.
6 / 11
The municipality should invest in public transportation.
7 / 11
It should be possible to be a resident in more than one municipality, for example, through digital municipal citizenship.
8 / 11
The municipality should better facilitate the expansion of renewable energy, such as solar and wind power.
9 / 11
The municipality should mix more housing types in planning than is currently the case.
10 / 11
The municipality should introduce anonymous recruitment.
11 / 11