It’s our goal to welcome everyone to enjoy our festival in a welcoming and safe environment. Please review the information and contact us anonymously if you are in need.
In the year 2025 the Equality Manager is Anna-Kaisa Kettunen, tel. +358 50 357 0931,
The Irish Festival of Oulu is a discrimination-free community. Each person (volunteer, employee, artist, festival guest etc.) has the right to participate without being discriminated against because of sex, gender, age, origin, beliefs or lack of them, disability or any other personal attribute. Staff and volunteers of The Irish Festival of Oulu pledge to act correctly and respectfully towards other people while representing the festival organization. The festival organization is obliged to address any inappropriate behavior in its events.
Harassment includes (but is not limited to):
It may be difficult to address harassment if the target is oneself. The Irish Festival of Oulu has named an Equality Manager, and we recommend reporting any instances of inappropriate behaviour to them. Discussion with the Equality Manager is always confidential, and the case won’t be forwarded without consent. Each case of harassment is taken seriously.
To ensure the festival is safe for everyone:
In 2025, the Harassment Officer is Anna-Kaisa Kettunen, tel. +358 50 357 0931,
The Irish Festival of Oulu is an area free of discrimination. We want every participant to have the same opportunities to participate and be treated in an equal way, regardless of their background. The objectives of open interaction, learning and encounters are better achieved when everyone is respected for who they are, and no one has to fear suffering any degree of discrimination or harassment. Therefore, we ask participants to follow the following principles, which are designed to improve the safety of the environment for everyone, regardless of their background.
Principles of safer space:
Recognize your assumptions. Respect everyone’s self-determination. Try not to make assumptions about factors such as the gender, background, or opinions of others. Pay attention to your choice of words and keep in mind the diversity of people.
Listen and learn. Approach new topics, situations, and people with an open mind and as an opportunity to learn and develop. Be open to feedback given to you and try to adjust your actions accordingly.
Give and make space. Recognize your role and position in different situations. Be actively present and act in a way that enables others to participate too.
Act. If you witness any form of harassment or other inappropriate treatment, act on it in a way that suits you. By reacting you’ll also provide an example to others.
Remember to have self-compassion. It’s ok to make mistakes and to ask. You don’t need to know everything from the start!
Harassment is an undignified behaviour based on a person’s individual characteristics and qualities. Harassment may be racist or other hate speech directed against a certain group, as well as inappropriate or discriminatory treatment. Sexual harassment is a verbal, non-verbal, or physical undesired sexual behaviour that violates a person’s mental or physical integrity. It is the task of everyone to intervene in the event of discrimination, harassment and inappropriate treatment.
How to act if you experience harrasment or other antisocial behaviour
If you are subjected to harassment at the event, first try to talk to the person who you think has displayed such behaviour. If you are unable to do such or the matter remains unresolved through speaking, you may contact an event harassment officer.
The task of a harassment officer is to advise, support and assist the participants at the event. A harassment officer is not a judge and will never take action without the permission of the person concerned. Discussions with a harassment officer are always confidential. Harassment officers are trained volunteers and private rooms are provided for face-to-face conversations.
For any issues or concerns, please contact Producer Anna-Kaisa Kettunen, tel. +358 50 357 0931,
Child Protection – General Statement of The Irish Festival of Oulu
The health, safety and well-being of all our children and vulnerable adults are of paramount importance to all staff, members and volunteers who are a part of The Irish Festival of Oulu.
Our children have the right to protection, regardless of age, gender, race, culture or disability. They have a right to be safe as participants in all our activities.
In our activities we value our children, young people and vulnerable adults. A culture of mutual respect between children/young people/vulnerable adults and those who represent the organisation in all its activities will be encouraged with adults modelling good practice in this context.
The Irish Festival of Oulu recognises that good child protection policies and procedures are of benefit to everyone involved with our work, including staff, officers, artists and volunteers, as these policies can help protect them from erroneous or malicious allegations.
Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy & Gender Equality Policy
The elected board of The Irish Music Society of Oulu and work group of The Irish Festival of
Oulu value the equal safety, protection and well-being of all attendees to our events. This
specifically includes the well-being of children and vulnerable adults. Our organization
adheres to the law for such events in Finland including the venues and schools where we operate.
We provide and review this policy and information to all staff, volunteers, and performers.
It is our mission to promote Irish culture and unite all people through our inclusive events where everyone has the right to participate and enjoy in a safe environment.
We review this topic to all staff and volunteers verbally and written. We encourage and require them to report any concerns to our managers and director unusual, strange or curious behaviour or other evidence that may potentially cause alarm or suspicion to the presence of child or vulnerable adult abuse.
If and when concerns are reported to our managers or directors, we record the information and take that information to the official authorities immediately to properly handle the report.