Students generating ideas for a welcome package for asylum seekers

The welcome package is intended to help asylum seekers familiarise themselves with the new society by giving them tools for example for learning about the Finnish culture and the basics of the Finnish language.

'More than anything else, this package aims at generating a positive emotional reaction: with a small gesture we can provide some light to those who have travelled a long journey without any possessions or certainty about their future,' says one of the organisers of the course, Producer Maria Leinvuo from Aalto University.

Around 20 students from the School of Arts, Design and Architecture approach the task on the course by means of service design, package design and graphic design. Asylum seekers, former refugees and refugees who have been granted asylum are consulted in the development of the package. Although different packages will be designed for children and adults, the intention is to plan a whole that is suitable for everyone regardless of their knowledge of languages or education.

The preliminary target is to have the package in production by the end of the year. Financing is currently being sought to help implement the package. The package will be made in collaboration with the alumni of graphic design Katju Aro (Aalto University) and with the network of Refugee Hospitality Club.