After the significant changes in the European security architecture starting from the very beginning of 1990's, security issues are no longer primarily military, they have gained a wider, more human dimension. Networking and co-operation between politicians, officials and civic society actors between all Baltic Sea countries are important in order to have a fruitful bases for common future challenges. STETE's idea is to include decision makers in the dialogue, but still offer an unofficial platform for discussion and open the door for sensitive matters.

The Finnish Committee for European Security (STETE) was established in 1970 to support the initiative for the Conference for Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE, today the OSCE). The committee brings together a broad variety of Finnish groups and organisations: all leading political parties, the trade union movement, women's, youth, student and peace organisations and other NGO's. It's executive committee consists of representatives of leading political parties.

One of STETE's most important tasks is to co-ordinate the work of the Nordic Forum for Security Policy. The last conference was organized in Kyiv, Ukraine in September 10th–12th 2008, and before that in Pskov, Russia in May 2006 and in Gdansk in September 2004.

Since 2009 STETE publishes a yearbook in English. STETE published a quarterly bulletin until 2008, for more information: OSCE Review - European Security.