For the past 80 years, all Finnish parents have been provided a box by the state. It is a starter kit with necessities ranging from clothes to toys to help care for their newborn. Today Finland has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, in part thanks to this maternity package.

So far there have been over 100 maternity package pilots in more than 60 countries. How has Finland exported this social innovation? How can the box be adapted to different climates, cultures and health care systems?

Join the online discussion with Dr Annariina Koivu, Ella Davidoff, Maria Gray and Heli Suominen. The event is organised in collaboration with the Embassy of Finland in London and it will take place on Zoom on Wednesday 1o.3. at 17–18 UK time. Register here!

Ella Davidoff is Head of Policy and Programme Development at the Welsh Government. She is in charge of the Welsh Baby Bundle pilot programme.

Maria Gray, Head of Parenting, Play and Baby Box Team, Children and Families Directorate at Scottish Government has led the policy and implementation of Scotland’s Baby Boxes since April 2018.

Dr. Annariina Koivu is the Principal Investigator of Thinking Outside the Box, a research project at Tampere University in Finland and the author of The baby box. Enhancing the wellbeing of babies and mothers around the world.

Heli Suominen is the press counsellor at the Finnish Embassy in London. She is responsible for the Embassy’s public diplomacy projects.

The event is part of the discussion series ‘An Equal Future’ on inspiring social innovations from Finland, the UK and Ireland. Download your free comic book of the same name and theme here!