Name:	Misha Eriksson
Year of birth:	1966
Municipality:	Espoo
Town:	Espoo
Title:	Principal
Email:	mikaeljerkerarnold@gmail.com

Misha
Eriksson

Espoo

"School, children and young people, as well as nature and the environment. If we take care of these issues, we will have a good quality of life in Espoo. These are all matters close to my heart."

I am a nearly 60-year-young principal and engineer, a resident of Espoo since the early 2000s. My children are now leaving home, which has given me a front-row seat to observe the issues that matter to all of us.

I have always been interested and engaged in school and education matters. I have worked in four different municipalities as a subject teacher, study counselor, principal, and head of education. Now, I want to share this extensive experience in my home municipality.

Nature, the environment, boating, and the archipelago are important to me. I enjoy spending time outdoors throughout the year in Espoo’s fantastic natural surroundings. And when spring arrives, I launch my old, beautiful wooden boat and cruise through our unique archipelago.

I had the privilege of serving on the Espoo City Council during the 2012–2017 term. Now I feel it is time to return. Many challenges are arising at the moment, and it may seem easy to give up. However, I believe the opposite—now more than ever, we need a belief in the future and a willingness to work for the common good.

Important political topics

The best schools

I have worked in the field of education for nearly 40 years in four different municipalities, holding various positions. I am sure you agree that schools are important—perhaps the most important responsibility of a municipality.

We are preparing our children for the future, which means their learning environment must meet that challenge. In other words, education must be of high quality, which requires a safe school environment.

There must be competent and dedicated teachers and assistants so that all students receive the support and guidance they need during lessons.

The role of student welfare personnel cannot be overstated. Many young people need a trusted adult they can talk to in confidence.

As a Swedish-speaking resident of Espoo, I also see the importance of a strong Swedish-language school network.

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Children, Youth, and Families

My first theme, The Best Possible School, naturally goes hand in hand with Children, Young People, and Families. Our children and youth must feel well. To ensure this, we need to work proactively. By ensuring a strong adult presence in schools, providing good opportunities for hobbies, and offering early support, we can achieve a lot.

Everyday life should function as smoothly as possible for families with young children. I believe in good local services, efficient public transport, and a safe and pleasant living environment.

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Forerunners in climate and the environment

Espoo has everything it takes to be a leader in sustainable and green urban development. We have high-tech expertise in Otaniemi and diverse natural areas, from the archipelago in the south to the national park in the north. We have been working to promote public transport and rail networks, and we must continue this work while also making it easier for residents to sort and recycle waste.

Unsurprisingly, I also see a connection here to our children and young people. It is not their responsibility to clean up after us when it comes to nature and the environment.

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