A View from the Front Line: U.S. Ambassador to Finland Speaks at Tufts

By Akshita Jain, MSIM '24

The Auster Center for Applied Innovation Research at Tufts (AIR Center) hosted its inaugural speaker event, bringing Douglas Hickey, the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Finland, to speak on Finland’s security challenges, the future of innovation, and insights he has gained as Ambassador. This event was held in collaboration with the Fletcher School at Tufts.

"We were thrilled to collaborate with Fletcher in hosting Ambassador Hickey at Tufts’ campus,” shared Chuck Auster, Founder of the Auster Center for Applied Innovation Research. “His insightful analysis of a major global issue provided a unique learning opportunity for our community. A special thanks to Monica Toft and Rockford Weitz for enriching the conversation with their targeted observations.”

Ambassador Hickey’s talk addressed two significant milestones in Finland’s recent diplomatic history: the nation’s accession to NATO and the Joint Statement on U.S.-Finland Science and Technology Cooperation. The recently signed Joint Statement focuses on key policy and research priorities, including climate science; cybersecurity; biotechnology, health, and life sciences; emerging technologies such as 6G, artificial intelligence, and quantum information science; research integrity and security; the innovation pipeline; and energy solutions for the benefit of peoples and economies.

Monica Toft, Academic Dean at the Fletcher School, noted, "Ambassador Hickey underscored the importance of relationship building, understanding of cultures, and patience in developing trust between partners and allies. Moreover, his comments also stressed the important role that small states, such as Finland, can play in alliances by not only bolstering capabilities but by demonstrating alternative ways of implementing policy."

Ambassador Hickey also offered a fascinating exploration of Finnish culture through stories of his time in the nation. He shared anecdotes about Finland's reserved yet content population, their deep trust in government, and the culture’s emphasis on media literacy from an early age. Of particular note was the surprising importance of saunas as settings for political negotiations and as a part of Finland’s diplomatic tradition.

Following the fireside chat, students from the Fletcher School and Tufts’ Gordon Institute had the opportunity to network and engage with Ambassador Hickey, as they asked questions about Finnish culture and U.S. diplomacy in Finland. The event served as a reminder of the importance of cross-cultural understanding and effective relationship-building in global affairs.

Rockford Weitz, Professor of Practice & Director of the Maritime Studies Program at the Fletcher School, reflected on the event, "Ambassador Hickey’s stories from the front line provided insights in how to effectively build diplomatic relationships, drawing on his experiences in both Finland and Italy. Ambassador Hickey's experience enhancing bilateral collaboration in cybersecurity and other advanced technology sectors offered relevant policy lessons for our interdisciplinary audience from the Fletcher School and the School of Engineering."

Overall, Ambassador Douglas Hickey's visit provided a comprehensive look into Finland's societal dynamics and its implications for international relations. His insights, combined with those of Monica Toft and Rockford Weitz's moderation, offered valuable lessons for the Tufts community, highlighting the importance of cultural competence and diplomacy in today's interconnected world.

Learn more about the Auster Center for Applied Innovation Research at Tufts.