The Finnish Defence Forces International Centre (FINCENT) celebrated 40 years of Finnish peacekeeper training in Hyrylä on 23 October 2009. The function was attended by over 80 guests both from Finland and abroad . The day was officially opened by the Commandant of FINCENT, Lieutenant Colonel Esa Vanonen. The day also saw the launching of FINCENT’s publication series’ second book, “Varying Cultures in Modern Crisis Management”. Crisis management expert Colonel (retired) Kalle Liesinen held a speech based on the book entitled “Cultural Awareness in Peace Support Operations”. The Chairman of the Finnish Peacekeepers’ Association Heikki Holma held a presentation on the development of peacekeeper training entitled “View on Peacekeeping and Crisis Management Training in Finland”. The occasion was marked by many esteemed and high-ranking guest speakers from the defence forces and the Finnish government: the Secretary of State of the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs Pertti Torstila, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Kari Rimpi and the Assistant Chief of Staff Major General Mika Peltonen. The commandant of the Swedish Armed Forces International Centre (SWEDINT), Colonel Thomas Karlsson, also held a speech thus representing one of FINCENT’s important cooperation partners. The municipality of Tuusula, which is where FINCENT is located, was represented by Municipal Manager Hannu Joensivu and he congratulated FINCENT on its 40 years of excellence.

Photographs: Harri Larinen
Hietaniemi cemetery. FINCENT laying a wreath at the Peacekeepers Memorial on the morning of the celebration, 23 October 2009.		The Commandant of the Finnish Defence Forces International Centre, Lieutenant Colonel Esa Vanonen, giving his opening speech.
Crisis management expert, Colonel (ret.) Kalle Liesinen, giving a speech on the importance of cultural awareness in peacekeeping operations.		Secretary of State Pertti Torstila from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs congratulating FINCENT on behalf of the Finnish government.
The Ministry of Defence’s Permanent Secretary Kari Rimpi congratulating FINCENT on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.		The Finnish Defence Forces’ Chief of Planning, Major General Mika Peltonen congratulating FINCENT on behalf of the FDF. He said FINCENT’s status would remain the same at least in the coming years.
The President of  Peacekeepers’ Association Finland, Heikki Holma, spoke about the development of peacekeeper training.		The Commandant of the Swedish Armed Forces International Centre (SWEDINT), Colonel Thomas Karlsson, gave recognition to FINCENT as its cooperation partner and congratulated FINCENT.
The Municipal Manager of Tuusula, Hannu Joensivu, congratulated FINCENT on behalf of the municipality and told about the strong military and national defence traditions of Tuusula.		FINCENT’s ACOS G3, Major Petteri Kurkinen, was awarded with the Peacekeepers Cross (Second Class), and the Senior Course Director G3, Captain Janne Lehtonen, was awarded with the Infantry Cross of Merit.
Led by Captain Ilkka Rekola, the Armoured Band performed the piece Peacekeepers.		FINCENT Commandants  Colonel Jorma Ala-Sankila, 2002-2004, Lieutenant Colonel Pekka Hannukkala, 1993-2000, Lieutenant Colonel Esa Vanonen, 2009 - , Major General Juha Kilpiä, 2000-2002, Colonel Mauri Koskela, 2007-2009 Photograph: Asko Tanhuanpää
The present Commandant of FINCENT, Lieutenant Colonel Esa Vanonen, and Major General Juha Kilpiä, who was FINCENT’s Commandant from 2000 to 2002.		Lieutenant Colonel Timo Vehviläinen and the Commandant of FINCENT Lieutenant Colonel Esa Vanonen.
Major General Mika Peltonen and a FINCENT Project Officer, Major (ret.) Öjvind Björkman.