The Award is established in memory of the late Principal of Västra Nylands folkhögskola, Kaj-Erik Nordström (1942-2004).
Kaj-Erik Nordström
Artist: Riggert Munsterhjelm

Kaj-Erik Nordström was a proponent of life-long learning well before the term existed. His idea was that an inquisitive mind should be given food for thought regardless of age or previous education. The learning itself – the striving to better oneself - should be important, not merely the grades or degrees.

Kaj-Erik Nordström was the Director of Västra Nylands folkhögskola, a leading Swedish-language adult education institution in Finland, for over 35 years. During that time he was instrumental in developing it into a vibrant place of education, arts and culture. To him these areas were connected, one strengthening the other.

Kaj-Erik Nordstöm took it as his mission to further enrich adult education through international contacts and co-operation. Meeting new people, seeing new places and questioning one’s own ways was to him at the very heart of learning. Thinking globally and acting locally always came naturally to Nordström. He had a political scientist’s education, he taught international issues and was engaged in politics. Despite this, humanities and the liberal arts were close to his heart and most well represented in the school’s curriculum, meeting the ever-changing demands of students.

In students and fellow educators alike, Kaj-Erik Nordström particularly appreciated innovators and visionaries. Apart from hard work, he respected those who looked ahead and tried to find new paths in changing times. At its best, he thought, adult education would give any one of us a chance to a renewed effort in an area of learning that we felt strongly for.