About Us

Hej Åland was founded in the year 2008 on the Åland Islands by a Gambian immigrant called Alieu Khan. The organisation aims to advance cultural diversity, integration of immigrants and refugees and to fight against prejudice, stereotype and discrimination.

Åland is an autonomous Swedish-speaking region in Finland, with a population of about 28,000 people (2009 estimate). It is less diverse than other regions in Finland, but recent figures show that its minority population is increasing at a high rate.

As the face of the island changes, immigrants and refugees are having difficulties to fit in. There is a lack of leadership in relation to integration and cultural diversity matters. All the 16 regions of the island lacked the basic prerequisites for integration. Besides, immigrants and refugees are the only vulnerable group without an Information/Support Centre.

Since its inception, Hej Åland has organised lot of activities, visited schools and met influencial people to drum up support for their campaign. The organisation made enormous contribution in issues related to immigrants and refugees.

Hej Åland strongly believes that integration and cultural diversity, are very important in any country that adheres to human rights standards and respects the principles of democracy, equality and solidarity. Their dream is for Åland to become a place that offers all immigrants the opportunity to become contributing members of the society. They want Åland to become a society where immigrants are seen as a resource and not a burden.

Alieu Khan, the founder, is the coordinator of the organisation. According to him Hej Åland is a non-profit organisation housed in his own apartment in the City of Mariehamn.