Zachris Castrén belonged to the board of the Finnish Lifelong Learning Foundation from the beginning of the 20th century until his death almost 20 years later. In addition, he was chosen to the leadership of the Helsinki Finnish Adult Education Institute. Castrén approved of so-called ‘Tannerite’ socialism, which aimed to improve standards of living, but he opposed revolutionary activity. He felt that efforts to completely eradicate class divides would eventually lead to the birth of a socialist dictatorship.

As a well-known pacifist, Castrén rejected violence; rather, he believed reform would spring from the nation itself through educational work. He attempted to effect a peaceful solution to the 1918 Finnish Civil War as a member of a club led by K.J. Ståhlberg. When the war ended, Castrén appealed to the victorious Whites to spare the Reds. Dr Castrén, a champion of republicanism, opposed the systematic destruction of the losing side, as recognition solely of the interests of the victors would create the potential for a mood of reprisal.

After the war Castrén became involved in trade unionism, when he was elected vice-chairman of the Federation of Municipal Officers in 1919 and chairman one year later. In 1922 he became vice-chairman of the Intellectual Employment Union (later the Federation of Clerical Employees’ and Civil Servant’s Organisations). Interest groups had already played a part in social liberal plans for civil society in the 19th century. The basic idea of such organisations was for them to work in tandem with the parliamentary system.

In 1939, the eponymously named Zachris Castrén Foundation was established in connection with the Adult Education Institute. In existence to this day, its main task is to distribute grants to students for further studies outside the Adult Education Institute.

Sources:

• Muiluvuori, Jukka, Castrén, Zachris, National Biography online publication, SKS, (Accessed 29 September 2015).
• Klinge Matti (ed.) Helsingin yliopisto 1640–1990. 2. osa Keisarillinen Aleksanterin yliopisto 1808–1917 (‘University of Helsinki 1640–1990. Part 2. Imperial Alexander University 1808–1917’). Otava, Helsinki 1989.
• Zachris Castrén 1868–1938, Helsingin työväenopiston johtaja, kansanedustaja (‘Director of the Helsinki Adult Education Institute and Member of Parliament’), Online publication of the Helsinki Adult Education Institute (Accessed 29 September 2015).