Finland / Suomen tasavalta
Although Finland’s main anti-apartheid activities were focussed on Namibia, the first boycott action dates back to 1961 against South African imports. Finland began contributing to the UN Trust Fund for South Africa in the late 1960’s and with direct aid to ANC in 1977. During the 1980’s, supporting liberation movements in Southern Africa became a common issue for trade unions, church and all the political parties. The Finnish government supported the ANC directly as from 1977.
Anti-Apartheid Organisations/People
Finnish Africa Committee (FAC) / Finnish Peace Committee (FPC)
The FAC started in 1970 and organised information campaigns for trade unions, and political parties. It established, together with the Finnish Peace Committee the fundraising organisation Peace Fund in 1973 to support liberation movements in Southern Africa. It focussed more and more on apartheid as from the late 1970s and organised boycott campaigns.
The People’s Archive at the Social Archives Foundation in Helsinki holds most of the archives of the organisation.
Other Organisations/People
Central Organisation of the Finnish Trade Unions / Suomen Ammattiliittojen Keskusjärjestö (SAK)
SAK started with solidarity activities in the 1970s and concentrated on education within the unions. Its international solidarity activities were organised by its Peace Committee. Although mainly concentrating on Namibia, it also developed activities around South Africa.
The organisation holds its own archives.
http://www.sak.fi
International Solidarity Foundation-Finland (ISF) / Kansainvälinen Solidaarisuussäätiö
The International Solidarity Foundation (ISF) was founded in 1971 to promote long-term social and economic development. The Foundations works with local NGOs and has supported several project of the ANC.
The ISF holds its own archives.
The Finnish Labour Archives holds the complete archive of the organisation as well.
Resources
The Finnish Country Committee on Archives on Anti-Colonial Resistance and Liberation Struggle in Namibia
AACRLS documents Finnish support to the liberation struggle in Southern Africa with focus on Namibia through oral history, scanning documents and photos the identification of key activists. Its mission is to repatriate documents and photos to the National Archives of Namibia.
AACRLS documents Finnish support to the liberation struggle in Southern Africa with focus on Namibia through oral history, scanning documents and photos the identification of key activists. Its mission is to repatriate documents and photos to the National Archives of Namibia.
http://www.missionmuseum.fi
The Nordic Documentation on the Liberation Struggle in Southern Africa Project
This site provides archival lists of primary source materials that can be found at Nordic archival institutions, NGOs and archives of individuals who have been involved in the liberation struggles of Southern Africa. The website includes interviews, photographs, publications, posters and newspaper cuttings from 1960-1996. It also provides some archival materials in PDF format.
This site provides archival lists of primary source materials that can be found at Nordic archival institutions, NGOs and archives of individuals who have been involved in the liberation struggles of Southern Africa. The website includes interviews, photographs, publications, posters and newspaper cuttings from 1960-1996. It also provides some archival materials in PDF format.
http://www.liberationafrica.se
