What is MLL?

Mannerheim League for Child Welfare

Every child is entitled to a good and happy childhood. The Mannerheim League for Child Welfare (MLL) works to make this possible together with many other organizations, both public and private. MLL Uusimaa is an independent district organization of the bigger national MLL organization.

The Mannerheim League is an NGO and membership is open to everyone. It promotes the wellbeing of children and of families with children, increases respect for childhood and seeks to make it more visible, and sees that children's views are taken into account in public decision-making.

The Mannerheim League is the largest child welfare organization in Finland. It has 92 000 members and 566 local associations throughout the country. The work of these local associations is supported by the League's 10 district organizations.

The Mannerheim League relies on partnerships. It works with numerous organizations, businesses and networks in Finland and abroad. The League's Central Office in Helsinki cooperates closely with ministries, officials and other organizations while the district organizations and local associations operate on the regional level.
 

The league aims to ensure that

  • children are equal members of society.
  • every child enjoys good and happy surroundings.
  • parenting and education are respected and supported.
  • volunteer work, helping, caring and joint responsibility increase

 

A healthy, secure childhood

 

The Mannerheim League supports parenting and links between generations and works to promote health and a good environment for children. It arranges afternoon programmes for school children and educates them about substance abuse. Peer students - older pupils - work to increase the feeling of belonging, congeniality and security at schools.

 

Families need services

The Mannerheim League (MLL) produces diverse services such as education and expertise in matters concerning rights of children and families, volunteer education and co-ordination to support families, short-term child-care services and many special services like. Telephone counseling provides children, young people and parents with empathy, assistance and advice. 

Local associations are close to people

MLL offers families an opportunity to get acquainted and take part in volunteer work, to have a say in public affairs and to participate in a diverse range of activities. Local associations arrange clubs, groups for parents, excursions, training and special events. The associations keep the needs of children and families to the fore and seek to influence local decisions affecting families. Most of the activity of the local associations is based on volunteer work.

A civic organization for the 21st century

Affection, care and wellbeing are the cornerstones of a good childhood. The Mannerheim League is now concentrating on the following challenges:

  • guaranteeing the right of children to childhood.
  • promoting responsible parenting
  • increasing interest in volunteer work
  • developing partnerships across traditional boundaries to cooperation advancing a global approach to the problems of children and families with children.

The League´s organization

Decision-making in the League is ultimately the responsibility of the League Assembly, which meets every three years. The Assembly elects the League Council and a chairperson for it, and chooses the chairperson of the League Board. The League's Central Office is located in Helsinki.