Voices of Recognition
"Mika has proven time and again his dedication to resolving environmental issues by engaging individuals and communities across continents. He is truly an inspiration."
Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE
Founder – the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace
"Mika is a true innovative spirit, a warrior of a mighty cause, a man of integrity, vision and skills, a great soul and craftsman who turns into reality the dream of sustainable future that all of us share but only a few realize in action."
Esa Saarinen
Professor emeritus of applied philosophy, Helsinki University of Technology, Finland
"Schools and communities have planted millions of trees for twenty years now, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future for all of us. Mika Vanhanen is the founder of ENO and the network has been a driver and inspiration for this to happen. "
Margot Wallström
Former EU Commissioner
for the Environment
Foreign Minister of Sweden 2014-2019
"Mika Vanhanen is a true champion for environmental education and has been an inspiration to thousands of educators and students around the world for many years. His longstanding commitment to sustainability and ensuring generations of youth have opportunities for awareness and informed involvement is truly admirable" .
Jennifer Corriero
co-founder, TakingIT Global
"Mika’s dedication to innovation, transformation, and creating meaningful impact sets him apart as a leader who consistently inspires action and delivers results."
Mathis Wackernagel, Ph.D.
Co-Founder of Global Footprint Network
"Dedication of Mr Vanhanen towards a more sustainable and peaceful future is admirable. I have been following his work, including tree planting initiatives and projects environmental sustainability,and I can warmly recommend cooperation with Mr Vanhanen in all matters related to sustainability and peace."
Tarja Halonen
President of Finland
"As the Finnish Minister for Environment, Minister for Development Cooperation, and Minister for Foreign Affairs I have been closely following the variety of activities carried out by Mr. Mika Vanhanen.
I can recommend cooperation with Mr. Vanhanen in all matters related to peace, the environment, and bringing the global village together to resolve the global problems of today and tomorrow."
Pekka Haavisto
Member of Parliament Former Foreign Minister of Finland (2019–2023)
I've known Mika and his good work for close to ten years and am so impressed with his commitment to the world's environment and to the education and authentic participation of children and young people. I recommend him very highly and look forward to our continued collaboration!"
Donna Goodman
Chief Innovative Officer at Donna Goodman Productions
​"The world’s greatest challenges won’t be solved from the top down.
That’s why Peace Circle® is an excellent example of an inclusive and action-oriented model built on shared participation."
Olli-Pekka Heinonen
Director General, International Baccalaureate (IB)
"Mr Mika Vanhanen has always given his maximum energy both individually and as a global school coordinator to make people aware of environmental problems and peace. His work towards schools and world organizations has been so punctual and personal that all people feel involved on a personal level, following his path."
Alessandra Cannelli
Former Second Vice-President Tesol Italy
"Mika has collaborated with the GLOBE Program in countries around the world through his work with ENO. The coordinated tree planting campaigns that Mika organizes and promotes have served as wonderful community environmental awareness events!"
Teresa J. Kennedy
STEM & Ocean Education, University of Texas at Tyler
ICASE Representative to UNESCO
Co-Chair, UNESCO Ocean Decade NGO Task Group
Fulbright Scholar
"I can warmly recommend Mika for inspirational leadership in all types of projects! He combines his boundless energy and optimism with beautiful sensitivity to all things, be it music, nature or fellow human beings. There are few people that can match Mika's global experience on forests and people dwelling in forests. But Mika's true superpower is to build teams that can take up impossible challenges and succeed!"
Tuomo Kauranne, Ph.D.
Founder, Arbonaut Ltd.