Recipes for Systemic Change - Helsinki Design Lab

BackgroundDropping out conjures such powerful images that it is easy to acceptthe term without question, but what is a dropout and what are they droppingout from? While the typical definition of dropout focuses on a studentdiscontinuing their studies, the ultimate concern is one of the individual’sability to live a happy life balanced with their duty to contribution to society.Widespread education enables a more-able workforce which in turnbolsters the local economy and its ability to compete on the global stage.While some students drop out of school, others seem to fall into it, prolongingtheir time as a student and delaying a full entry into the productiveeconomy. In 2007, 43% of Finland’s students took six years to complete auniversity bachelors degree of three years full time study, according to theOCED. These twin concerns of the micro, individual level and the macro,societal scale will both shape the dropout challenge.Education Makes Economic SenseFinland’s participation in the global economy requires balancingdomestic objectives within the larger, more complex dynamics of the competitiveinternational marketplace. Despite its relatively small size withonly 5.3 million inhabitants, Finland continues to be a global player, havingearned international respect for successes in its mobile communications,high-tech, and design industries. However, the long-term survival andprosperity of Finland rests on how well the goods and services it producescan remain innovative and competitive in the new and changing economy.80 bn EUR60 bn EURExportImport40 bn EUR20 bn EUR0Trade Balance-20 bn EUR|1990|1992|1994|1996|1998|2000|2002|2004|2006|2008Imports, Exports and Trade Balance 1990-2008*The figures of the time series have been converted from FIM into euro by a fixed rate.To meet this challenge, Finland’s education system must be able to producea constant supply of skilled and high-value workers. Finland has a longtradition investing in the social capital of its youth—its greatest renewableSourceTulli-Finnishcustomsstatistics146