The world healer appreciates meeting people

At work in Riksu, there is a story series in which the employees of the city of Riihimäki talk about their work.

According to Jari Lausvaara, Riihimäki's new culture director, fairness, promptness and courage are everyday values ​​that are easy to commit to. These values ​​emerging from the Rakas Riksu 2035 strategy guide the entire city's operations. The same strategy says that Riihimäki is the home of future creators.

"There is a lot of responsibility and work to be done in the field of education and competence," says Lausvaara.

He started his job as director of education of Riihimäki at the end of October and looks at his new job with enthusiasm and satisfaction. Lausvaara emphasizes the appreciation of good everyday life. A lot of good things happen when work is done in high-quality cooperation and decent learning environments and learning tools are offered.

"With children and young people, there is too much talk about being a top expert or top talent - however, most of us are ordinary people and life is not only about top experiences. You should appreciate a good everyday life and tolerate boredom. At the same time, however, those whose needs are different from the majority must be taken into account," Lausvaara reflects.

People's well-being is an important matter

In the near future, the service network reform will bring changes to Riihimäki's field of education and expertise. Lausvaara considers it good that a decision was made in the city council on a difficult issue.

"I am satisfied with that. On the other hand, there are still issues related to the service network ahead, which have been identified as pain points and will be examined separately," says Lausvaara, referring to schools in Lasi and Herajoki, among others.

Lausvaara was previously the spatial development director of the city of Järvenpää. He also worked in Järvenpää for a long time as director of education and director of welfare. Before his duties in the municipal sector, Lausvaara was a consultant and CEO of a consulting company. Before consulting work, he worked as a teacher, teacher training, substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation, among other things. By education, Lausvaara has a master's degree in theology, with a major in social ethics.

"There is a world healer in me, for whom people's encounters and society's value choices and structures from an ethical point of view are important. I think that I work for the municipalities, and people's well-being is important to me, regardless of the job."

Vaari skis and builds what he can

Lausvaara feels that he has been warmly received in Riihimäki. He has met a lot of people who are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about his work. He is excited himself.

"It is especially exciting that robotics teaching is a tool for the development of future skills, interaction and problem solving at Riihimäki. I am also excited that Riihimäki has three educational institutions offering basic art education, which receive state contributions. It's a good merit."

In his free time, Lausvaara spends a lot of time camping on an island in Näsijärvi. The cottage also has plenty of things to do that you love: building. The most important leisure tasks include looking after grandchildren and fathering adult children. In addition, Lausvaara golfs and skis.

"I usually ski two thousand kilometers in winter. The more demanding the job, the more you have to ski. We'll see how it goes next winter."

Marke Harkas