In an effort to learn from the experience of other countries, ESCWA, in cooperation with the Embassy of Finland in Lebanon, welcomed Drs. Ilkka and Vappu Taipale for an informal gathering on 9 December 2013 to talk about the economic and social models that have helped shape the modern Finnish economy and society. Presenting the Arabic translation of their book,"100 Social Innovations from Finland", Drs. Taipale spoke of the five key pillars for success in Finland: 1) free universal education from primary school to university; 2) extensive municipal autonomy with independent tax raising capabilities; 3) democracy and consensus politics, including tripartite arrangements between employees, employers and the government; 4) commitment to gender equality; and 5) a vibrant civil society.