Estonian Youth, Activisim and the Estonian Dream

On July 23, a group from the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn visited the Estonian Youth Council’s (EYC) opening day of Summer School in Olustvere. The program hosts approximately 100 to 200 Estonian youth activists every year, representing different youth organizations from the Eesti LGTB Uhing (Estonian LGTB Society) to the Eesti Skautide Uhing (Estonian Girls Scouts).

(Photo: Amb Levine with some organizers of the Estonian Youth Council./Aylin Erdogan)

U.S. Ambassador Levine, Estonian MP Kalle Palling and President of the Youth Council Reet Sillavee were the opening day guests. And while they had interesting things to say, it was discussions from the participants about the difference between an inactive adult and an engaged young adult and why it’s important for youth to be a part of decision-making process at the local or national level that made the panel more interesting for me.

One point they raised during the session was their take on public protests. Youth activists said that Estonians are actually polite people and even if they vent their frustration on a number of issues during social gatherings, they refrain from voicing negative opinions in public. It’s a stark contrast to what we’ve seen with Arab Spring and Occupy Wall Street protests. But Palling, a young politician, shared his insights on youth participation in Estonian politics, saying Estonia is doing a fair job encouraging young adults to be active in politics. They currently have six members under 30 in the parliament, something that is different from the U.S.

(Photo: Amb Levine, Estonian MP Kalle Palling and President of the Council Reet Sillavee discusses youth activism in Estonia and USA./Aylin Erdogan)

In America, we see many young people in high school or college take an active part in political campaigns. We also see those who succeed in campaigning later heading to work in Congressional offices in Washington D.C and in their districts—and indeed, nearly 60 percent of Congressional staffers are between 20-35. However, when we look at executive offices, we see that older folks have a more direct hand in the in the governmental decision-making process. 

Still, I think that youth activism has always had a positive impact on American society.  In my school, SUNY Buffalo, for instance, students’ protested an increase in college tuition and student activity fee. The action influenced State Senators to negotiate with the SUNY administration and reduce the 5 percentage increase SUNY was aiming for to 2 percentage.  We heard from our Estonian peers that the youth council in Rapla was able to raise their voice and influence the mayoral election in the city.

The second part of the event was dedicated to a smaller discussion session on the “Estonian Dream” with Ambassador Levine, Assistant Public Affairs Officer Menaka Nayyar and about 20 Estonian youth. I was looking forward to this discussion to hear what Estonian youth had to say about what the Estonian Dream is or whether it has ever existed. In the past, the Estonian dream was freedom and that one common vision united Estonians. But now that freedom has been achieved, and after the economy started to decline, with young people finding more opportunities in other countries, the Estonian youths at the meeting said they feel as if the Estonian dream doesn’t exist anymore.  Still, they added that it’s important for them not to lose their identity no matter where they are or what language they speak. Estonia is now more open to world cultures, but young adults want the world to know Estonia too. 

(Photo: Amb. Levine and APAO Menaka Nayyar discuss the Estonian Dream with EYC members./Aylin Erdogan)

Thank you to all Estonian Youth Council members for sharing their thoughtful insights with us and the Summer School organizers for giving such a talented group of young people an opportunity to get together and share their voices!

-Post by Aylin Erdogan

Back To School Too!

While Ali was visiting Pelgulinna Gymnasium in Tallinn, I was with our Political/Economic Chief Mary Glantz at Tallinna Linnamäe Vene Lütseum!

Tallinna Linnamäe Vene Lütseum is the largest Russian school in Estonia and one of the top schools in the country. The school is celebrating their annual "Language Week," so Mary and I went out to serve as guinea pigs, I mean native English speakers, for the school's English Conversation Club.

Since there was no predetermined topic, we just let the conversation flow where it wanted. So we talked about American movies, Ellen DeGeneres' selfie at the Oscars, how we liked Estonian food.

And of course, study in the United States.

I was really impressed with this group of students...one of the more enthusiastic questioners made a comment about her English being bad...but boy does she speak it better than I speak Estonian! (And of course, far better than my, oh, five words of Russian!)

We spent an hour with the students, after which we made pictures, including an Ellen-like selfie which the student promised to send me. I will share it when he does!

Post by PAO J. Michelle Schohn
Photo by Social Media Assistant, U.S. Embassy Tallinn

Back to school!

Today I got the chance to visit the Pelgulinna Gymnasium in Tallinn, where I spoke with high school students about current events in the U.S.  I had a fantastic time talking with the students and also enjoyed learning a bit about their school. 

Pelgulinna Gymnasium is known for its enhanced arts programs, and some of Estonia’s most famous contemporary artists and musicians attended here, as well as Estonia’s very own Mart Laar!  I heard about this from local teacher Kristi Saare who participated in the local program Noored Kooli which is a lot like the U.S.’ Teach for America program.  (I first met her a year ago when we invited the new group of Noored Kooli teachers and mentors to the Embassy to meet Ambassador Levine and was delighted that she invited us to visit her class).



Talking about current events with students at Pelgulinna Gymnasium

 

And speaking of that class … it was a challenging task for me to decide what to talk about with the students with so many current events to choose from.   In the end I decided to talk about marriage equality in the U.S., climate change policy and, of course, the recent events in Ukraine.  



Marriage equality is a heavily debated issue in the U.S.

Since gay marriage has become legal in some U.S. states a number of famous American LGBT people have gotten married, including of course, Ellen Degeneres!  But beyond the celebrity weddings, people in the U.S. have a range of opinions and feelings about it.  Many people are against it because of their religious beliefs, while others strongly support it because they believe the right to marry who you love is a human right.  So far 17 states in the U.S. have legalized same-sex marriage and many others are considering moving in that direction.  President Obama, himself, supports it and has taken steps to support it on the federal level. 

Is it getting warm in here?  Our classroom, which was on the top floor with tons of windows on a very sunny day, was perfect for the next current issue I tackled: climate change!  This is an issue that is close to my own heart as I worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for seven years prior to joining the U.S. diplomatic corps.  Climate change is happening and mankind is the cause according to 97% of climate scientists, however in the U.S. a political debate is still underway as to what should be done about it – and many people are afraid of the economic impacts of reducing carbon emissions.

President Obama has launched a new campaign to address carbon emissions through more efficient vehicle standards, greater energy efficiency in buildings and new regulations for new and existing power plants.  And did you know that China is now the world’s #1 producer of carbon emissions?  This fact points to why we need international, multi-country initiatives to combat climate change and that is the final part of the President’s initiative – an international climate change agreement worked through the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Finally, I spoke with the students about the current crisis in Ukraine and shared a video clip of the President talking about the U.S. response to the situation.  President Obama has repeatedly stated his hope that a diplomatic solution – including both the government of Ukraine and that of Russia – can be found and that, in the short term, the situation can be de-escalated.  I was 14 in 1989 when the Berlin Wall came down and remember watching – with relief! - relations warm between the west and the east.  I only hope that some of the goodwill and friendship we have developed since then will get us through this difficult time. 

All and all, I really enjoyed my visit to Pelgulinna Gymnasium, meeting its students, and sharing what Americans are talking about.  It was a great time and reinforced how bright Estonian students are and how well they speak and understand English!     

Blog post by Alison Davis, Assistant Public Affairs Officer
Photos by Tiiu Vitsut, Cultural Assistant

How American Diversity Leads to American Innovation

On any given day, I walk into an R-Kiosk or supermarket and see lots of familiar sights, from Coca Cola, to blue jeans, to Apple Products, etc. Many of our nation’s landmark innovations have found themselves traveling around the world to be loved and enjoyed. 

But I never gave it much thought until yesterday, when I spoke to a full high school classroom at Juri Gymnasium, located just outside of Tallinn. This week was their English language week, so I hope I provided a worthy specimen of a native English speaker! And my topic for the day was how the diversity of America has led to major innovations. 

For instance, did you know that blue jeans were co-designed by Latvian Jacob Youphes? Or that Google Inc. was founded by Russian-born Sergey Brin? Or that The White House, arguably the most well-known American building, was designed by Irishman James Hoban? After I finished, a surprisingly lively discussion followed, spreading across various topics. In fact, I ended up giving the students an impromptu (and PowerPoint-less) presentation on studying at universities in the U.S. Students were also curious about why I’m in Estonia, where I’ve been in Estonia and if I like the food (yes). 

I liked this particular visit because of the intimate atmosphere of the classroom.  It was also the most engaged I have seen Estonian students with a guest speaker. That’s a trend that I hope to keep rolling on during my future school visits. Until next time!

Post by PAS Intern Kirsten Anderson