UPM-Biofore-Magazine-3-2016-EN

TEXT VESA PUOSKARI   PHOTOGRAPHY MARKO SIMONEN, VESA PUOSKARI

“UPM’s vast experience in forest management and forestry encouraged us to distribute some of our investments to Finland,” says Christophe Lebron.

“Finland presents European forest investors with an interesting avenue for diversifying their portfolio in the long term. Forestry plays a significant role in the national economy. Furthermore, Finland is part of the Eurozone, which decreases the exchange risk.” Lebrun is pleased with his collaboration with UPM, which holds ongoing responsibility for the sustainable management and use of the forest estates acquired by AXA IM. “UPM’s vast experience in both forest management and forestry encouraged us to distribute some of our investments to Finland. It was a very good decision.” The bottom-line value of stability Having travelled the worldmeeting investors, RiittaM. Väisänen has acquired a specific understanding of what they wish to achieve by investing in forests. Prior to the decision to invest, the investors conduct a thorough due diligence audit to assess both the specific estate for sale and other general factors affecting the return on investment. “Societal stability, for instance, is an important factor in risk management. In Finnish society, everything is done in compliance with legal and statutory requirements. Finland also offers an example of some of the most progressive forest legislation in the world.” Väisänen has spent almost 30 years working in different forestry-related positions at UPM. During that time, she has seen forests become something more much than a mere source of timber supply in the eyes of forestry professionals. “We are constantly training our own personnel and contractors inmatters related to sustainable forest manage­ ment. All this know-how and expertise is a resource that we make available to our customers as well.” 

Aleksis Salusjärvi (left), Mikko Sarjanen

Rapping for literacy

‘Words Matter’ is a UPM-sponsored project that inspires vocational school students to improve their reading skills through rap music.

“After completing their basic education, half of all Finnish students go on to vocational school, where the number of hours dedicated to Finnish lessons is only one quarter that of upper secondary schools. This places them at a disadvantage in terms of continuing their education at a higher level,” says Ilmi Villacís , Executive Director of the Finnish Reading Centre, coordinator of theWords Matter project. According to a study on adult literacy compiled by the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), young people who completed vocational training did not show a significant improvement in their reading skills after their basic education.

UPM’s Biofore Share and Care programme focuses on projects that are relevant to both UPM’s business and responsibility goals. The focus areas are: Reading & Learning, Engaging with communities, Responsible water use and Boosting bioinnovations.

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