The membership of the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities consists of the towns and municipalities in Finland. The Association also provides services to hospital districts, regional councils and joint authorities. The Association provides services in Finland’s two national languages – Finnish and Swedish. The Association’s goal is to promote the opportunities for local authorities to operate and co-operate and to enhance their vitality and viability for the benefit of the residents. The Association’s vision for the future encompasses the core values of the Finnish welfare society: good basic services, living democracy and sustainable environment. The Association employs almost 300 experts, who provide lobbying services, research and development services and other expert services for local authorities. The services provided by the Association span all areas of municipal operation: social and healthcare services; education and culture; community, technical and environmental concerns; regional and industrial development; municipal finance; legal matters; the Information Society; local government development and research; communications; and international affairs. The Commission for Local Authority Employers is also part of the Association. It promotes the interests of Finnish local and joint authorities in labour market issues. The Association has set as its priorities to develop municipal management and local democracy, to reinforce services and improve performance, to ensure stable municipal finances and to curb climate change. The Association’s operations are managed by a Council and a Board consisting of representatives of local authorities and elected every four years. The Council has 101 and the Board 15 members. The House of Municipalities, the Association’s main office, is located in Helsinki. It is the annual venue for thousands of professionals and decision-makers from municipalities.