<b>Finland</b>: Thinking Culture - National Cultural Policy Issues and the Role of Cultural Heritage in Finland

Pirjo Hamari is currently Head of Development of the Museum development unit at the National Board of Antiquities in Finland. The Development unit keeps abreast of activities related to the field of cultural heritage and works to develop museums, is responsible for the proportionate state aid for municipal and private museums, organizes training, provides consultation, and encourages cooperation in the museum field. Graduated with an MA in Archaeology from the University of Helsinki in 1996, she has since been working with archaeological research, data management questions and museum development and policy work at the National Board of Antiquities. Between 2001-2005 she was responsible for the development of the national sites and monuments register for archaeological sites in Finland as well as leading other IT development projects. She was engaged in organising two international cultural heritage conferences during the Finnish EU Presidency in 2006, and since 2008 she has been leading the Museum development unit at the Board. She has also been involved in several international projects as well as national and European cultural heritage policy issues.