Candidate for OLL’s board: Akseli Haanpää, JYY

Akseli Haanpää studies at the University of Jyväskylä ja is the chair of the board of the student union.

Which position are you running for at OLL, and why?
Can you tell us up to three of your key goals for OLL’s board?How have you promoted university sports and the Higher Education on the Move project so far, and what other skills and experience would you bring to OLL?

Hi there! My name is Akseli Haanpää. I’m the chair of the board of the Jyväskylä University student union. I lead a board of ten people (including myself) that takes care of the day-to-day decision-making and activities at the student union. I’m also the supervisor to the chief executive officer and the executive director of the student union. I study political science and philosophy at the University of Jyväskylä.

I’m applying for the position of chair of the Finnish Student Sports Federation because I believe that my experience in demanding and complex roles is exactly what the federation needs. As an experienced student advocate, I always find a way to promote students’ interests and convince decision-makers to hear their voices.

As chair of the Finnish Student Sports Federation, I would bring the federation closer to its member organisations. Although the federation’s advocacy work is immensely valuable and effective, it unfortunately remains quite distant from its members. We can improve matters by reviewing the orientation and communication efforts that target member organisations and by adhering to proven best practices in all our communications.

At the same time, I would like to the federation to recruit members more effectively. Following the updating of the basic rules of the federation, institutes of higher education can now become members as well. Gaining their membership will require vigorous advocacy from the federation.

Next spring, for the first time ever, the Finnish regional and municipal elections will take place simultaneously. The Finnish Student Sports Federation must focus on the candidates in these elections and use its considerable advocacy resources and skills to promote issues related to student sports. The decisions made in wellbeing services counties and municipalities greatly affect students’ and young people’s opportunities to participate in sports and physical activities in general.

See you at the General Assembly!