Nashwa Khatiri .
Area of work
Jade Community is diverse association, meeting place and center of expertise for older people with migrant backgrounds in Finland. It provides a space where one can build community, strengthen their agency and participate actively in society. Our work focuses on promoting inclusion, equality and the social position of older people with migrant backgrounds. We organise age-friendly, peer-based group activities while also engaging in broader societal advocacy to safeguard the rights and wellbeing of older foreign-language speakers.
Activities are organised in JADE Activity Center in Töölö, Helsinki, it serves as a central gathering place for people over 50. We offer peer support groups in several languages. Alongside group activities, we provide individual guidance and service advice in different languages. Our activities are complemented by volunteer-led hobby clubs, physical exercise groups, outdoor activities, visits and member trips.
In addition to the Activity Center, the JADE Competence Center works to increase the visibility and accessibility of older migrants within health and social services. We produce knowledge and support organisations in developing diversity competence, ensuring that the needs of older people with migrant background are better considered in elderly care, municipal services and NGO work. The Competence Center provides training, workshops, mentoring, seminars and discussion events for professionals. These trainings aim to strengthen expertise, improve awareness of diverse ageing populations and support more inclusive service development.
Specific field of expertise
I have professional experience as a diversity work expert especially in the context of diverse ageing. My educational background is in social sciences (general and gerontological), also health and social administration sciences.
Type of work
I currently work at JADE as a diversity work expert, where my main responsibility is coordinating outreach work. In addition, I contribute to JADE’s Competence Center advocacy and development efforts, supporting broader societal impact through training, knowledge-building and inclusive service development.
What does ENIEC mean to you or your work?
ENIEC represents a meaningful European network that aligns closely with JADE’s mission. ENIEC’s values are directly connected to my work and our mission in JADE. ENIEC have provided an important platform in Europe to share knowledge, strengthen cooperation and support each other. For me, ENIEC means connection beyond borders, a space where advocacy, research, and practice meet to improve wellbeing, participation and quality of life.
More about Nashwa
Beyond my professional role, I am someone who values learning and reflection. I care deeply about questions of governance and value within different structures. Disability rights are also important to me and they shape how I think about equality and justice in practice.
I like writing, I have maintained a long tradition of letter-writing and penpalling for the past 24 years. I run our monthly family magazine called "Silat al-Rahim", which reflects my interest in community, continuity (building the village/being the villager mentality) and storing lived experiences for the current and future family members. I also enjoy gardening and music, it holds special importance in my family as a source of connection and expression.
