04.11.2024
Pauli Harju wins the North Ostrobothnia Prize
The Regional Government of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia has awarded the North Ostrobothnia Prize Pauli Harju An excellent life's work that has made North Ostrobothnia known and strengthened its identity.
Pauli Harju served as Regional Director of Northern Ostrobothnia from 2008 to 2023. Between 2005 and 2006, he worked as project manager for the PARAS project in the North Ostrobothnia Regional Council.
In 2016, Harju took leave of absence and worked at the Ministry of Finance as the change manager of the regional reform, from which he returned to the position of regional director in 2017.
Pauli Harju has served as Mayor of Pudasjärvi and Mayor of Taivalkoski. In addition, he has worked as a business ombudsman, managing director, bank manager, district judge, bank lawyer and nominee. Harju has held numerous positions of trust.
Harju holds a bachelor's degree in law and was awarded the title of LL.M. in 1985. In rank, he's a major in the reserve.
The identity of the largest province in Northern Finland has not been quite as clear as that of our neighbours. Here, the people of the north have done their life's work and succeeded more with initiative, skill and little effort. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to serve the people of North Ostrobothnia in the turmoil of change. My humble thanks for this highest accolade of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, Comment on the award given to Pauli Harju.
The prize is a miniature sculpture designed by sculptor Sanna Koivisto, which symbolizes the province of Northern Ostrobothnia.
The award was presented at the Northern Ostrobothnia Regional Parliament in Oulu on 4 November 2024 by Lyly Rajala, President of the Regional Council, Jussi Ylitalo, President of the Regional Council, and Jussi Rämet, President of the Regional Council.
The North Ostrobothnia Prize is awarded for life's work for the benefit of North Ostrobothnia and for the meritorious work that has made North Ostrobothnia known and strengthened its identity.
Previous winners of the North Ostrobothnia Prize were Professor Seppo Säynäjäkangas 2005, Senior Lecturer Marketta Viitala 2006, Oulu Kärpät Oy 2007, Senior Lecturer Pentti Lampinen 2007, University of Oulu 2008, nature photographer, fil.tri h.c. Hannu Hautala 2009, Provincial Governor Eino Siuruainen 2010, M.Sc. (Tech.), Doctor of Science (Tech.), Juha Hulkko 2011, Airport Manager Pekka Mäntynen 2012, Senior Lecturer Marja Irjala 2013, Conductor Timo Hannula 2014, Professor Anssi Paasi 2015, cartoonist Jari Elsilä 2016, Mayor Matti Pennanen 2017, Opera singer Soile Isokoski 2018, Industrial Counsellor Veijo Sydänmetsä 2019, Professor, Research Rector Taina Pihlajaniemi 2020, ice hockey player Lasse Kukkonen 2021, journalist, columnist and non-fiction writer Helena Petäistö 2022 and Ruka Nordic 2023.
Contacts:
Jussi Ylitalo, President of the the Board of the Regional Assembly, tel. +358 45 160 6466
Pauli Harju, tel. +358 400 389 152
