Businesses play a key role in promoting children’s rights – Suominen continues to support UNICEF's educational work via Ahlström Collective Impact

Suominen, via Ahlström Collective Impact, continues to support UNICEF's global educational program in 2025, and remains committed to advancing children's rights in business. A key element of this collaboration is to deepen our expertise through the training organized by UNICEF Finland for members of the Ahlström Collective Impact network, emphasizing the importance of children's rights, business practices, and corporate responsibility.

The support provided by Ahlström Collective Impact for UNICEF's educational program amounts to over 750 000 euros this year.

"Social responsibility is not a trend – it is a necessity. We believe that social responsibility is the natural next step after focusing on environmental actions. It is time for companies to step up. Society alone is not moving fast enough, and responsible businesses have a critical role to play – just as workplace safety once became a non-negotiable norm, so must social impact. Social responsibility is also deeply rooted in leadership values. In today’s volatile world, value-based leadership matters more than ever. We know that investing in children’s education is one of the most powerful ways to drive long-term, systemic change. Because building a more sustainable, equal future is not charity – it is a responsibility," says Nelli Paasikivi-Ahlström, Chair of the Ahlström Collective Impact.

"Sustainability is at the core of Suominen's strategy and operations. As part of the shared commitment, we aim to integrate a child rights perspective into our sustainability strategy. With ACI we are part of a community that supports the important work of UNICEF,” says Minna Rouru, Chief People & Communications Officer, Suominen Corporation.

Partnership in action

Member organizations of Ahlström Collective Impact support UNICEF’s education efforts to address challenges in children’s global learning crisis. The Ahlström family’s commitment to children’s education has also expanded this year to a new initiative, with the Eva Ahlström Foundation joining a Nordic funding group supporting UNICEF’s research center Innocenti’s “Every Child Learning” pioneer project.

“Companies and foundations play a central role in promoting children’s rights. It’s inspiring to see that in these geopolitically challenging times, Ahlström Collective Impact is strengthening its commitment to children’s well-being and reinforcing the essential work of integrating children’s rights into business,” says Annina Tanhuanpää, Secretary General of UNICEF Finland.

UNICEF

UNICEF, the world's most influential children’s organization, promotes education in 150 countries. It provides education in crisis zones, challenges attitudes that hinder schooling, promotes quality teaching, and defends the rights of children with disabilities and minorities to education. The work focuses both on grassroots change and the development of entire education systems in collaboration with national authorities.

Ahlström Collective Impact

The Ahlström Collective Impact collaboration model began in 2020, uniting companies and foundations in the Ahlström network to invest in children's well-being through selected UNICEF projects aligned with the UN's sustainable development goals. Members include Ahlstrom, A. Ahlström, Ahlström Invest, Avain Yhtiöt, Destia, Detection Technology, Eva Ahlström Foundation, Glaston, Metsäkonepalvelu, M&J Recycling, Suominen, and Walter Ahlström Foundation.