Arvokeskeinen

Arvokeskeinen describes an approach, method, or orientation that places values at the center of planning, decision making, and evaluation. In Finnish discourse, it refers to ways of thinking and acting that prioritise ethical considerations, social justice, human rights, and sustainability as guiding criteria, alongside or above purely technical or financial aims. The term emphasizes that what is valuable is not only what works or is efficient, but also what is considered right or good by a given community or stakeholder group.

The word is formed from arvo, meaning value, and keskeinen, meaning central or core. It is used across academic and public contexts in Finland to characterize approaches, policies, and practices that are built on explicit value frameworks. As a descriptor, arvokeskeinen can modify fields such as governance, education, health care, technology, and business.

In practice, arvokeskeinen thinking often involves identifying and articulating a shared set of values, engaging stakeholders in dialogue, and translating those values into criteria for design, implementation, and evaluation. Methods associated with it include values-based leadership, values-based education, ethical impact assessment, and stakeholder-inclusive planning. It is frequently discussed in connection with responsible innovation, sustainable development, and public sector reform, where outcomes are weighed against normative goals.

Critics note that value-based approaches can be difficult to operationalize due to value conflicts and cultural differences, requiring transparent processes and ongoing dialogue to align diverse perspectives. When combined with evidence and practical constraints, arvokeskeinen approaches aim to produce decisions that are both effective and morally legitimate.