A small nation's most valuable asset resides within its populace's minds - as expressed by Kersti Kaljulaid.
In an engaging tête-à-tête with us, Estonia's charismatic former president, Kersti Kaljulaid, spoke candidly about what it means to be an Estonian and the essential role of education in the nation's development. Despite the country's modest size, she firmly believed that knowledge is its primary resource.
Kaljulaid, the first female president of Estonia, discussed the Estonian identity with us, stating that she considers anyone who desires to be an Estonian as such. This sentiment was shape-shifted by the need for some elementary mastery of the Estonian language and an intricate comprehension of the nation's society. She touched upon the language barrier, explaining that while the country does have a proclivity for English and other tongues, business and administrative affairs are conducted predominantly in Estonian.
When it came to attracting people from other regions, Kaljulaid emphasized the significance of integrating the Estonian language into the lives of newcomers to ensure their successful assimilation. She underscored the need to provide even non-native speakers with an initial framework, allowing them to delve into local literature and further their understanding of the Estonian culture.
As Kaljulaid spoke about the Estonian diaspora, she highlighted the potential benefits they could bring to the country upon their return. Echoing the sentiments of Brexit, Kaljulaid reassured that the world is increasingly globalized, that we're all interconnected and that the era of boundless opportunities is upon us. The digital state is at the heart of Estonia's allure, its vibrant cybersecurity, and thriving startup sector that attracts the best and brightest worldwide.
Passionate about the improvement of education, Kaljulaid reiterated her belief that every child should have access to learning opportunities, regardless of their parents' financial situation or occupations. She emphasized the need for an inclusive approach to education, ensuring that children from all backgrounds have the opportunity to prosper.
Kaljulaid drew attention to the changing nature of education in the digital age, advocating for the integration of technology, programming, and algorithmic thinking into the curriculum. She also stressed the importance of teaching students to discern between fact and fiction in the vast sea of information available to us, encouraging them to investigate and validate sources while being wary of misleading information.
In her closing remarks, Kaljulaid expressed her unwavering optimism for Estonia's future, praising the nation's consistent progress since gaining independence in 1991. She acknowledged the challenges that lay ahead, but maintained that the country has the potential to grow and succeed as long as it stays true to its digital values and continues to foster an environment that is conducive to innovation and creativity.
- The charismatic Former Estonian President, Kersti Kaljulaid, passionately reminded us of the pivotal role that education plays in Estonia's development, acknowledging it as the nation's primary resource.
- When discussing the Estonian identity, Kaljulaid considered anyone who desires to be an Estonian as such, provided they demonstrated a basic competency in the Estonian language and a deep understanding of the nation's society.
- Kaljulaid underscored the importance of integrating the Estonian language into the lives of newcomers to facilitate their successful assimilation and immersion into Estonia's cultural fabric.
- She demonstrated a forward-thinking mindset when it came to attracting people from other regions, highlighting the potential benefits they could bring to the country upon their return, echoing the sentiments of those advocating for open borders like in Brexit.
- Kaljulaid emphasized the digital state's appeal, citing Estonia's vibrant cybersecurity, thriving startup sector, and interoperability as key factors attracting the best and brightest minds worldwide.
- Firmly believing that education should be accessible to every child, Kaljulaid advocated for an inclusive approach, ensuring children from all backgrounds have the opportunity to prosper.
- In the rapidly changing educational landscape, Kaljulaid championed the incorporation of technology, programming, and algorithmic thinking into the curriculum, teaching students to navigate between fact and fiction in the information age.
- Proudly asserting her optimism for Estonia's future, Kaljulaid acknowledged the challenges ahead but maintained that the country has the potential to grow and succeed as long as it stays true to its digital values and fosters a creative and innovative environment.
- Swedish-speaking Estonians, who form a significant minority in Estonia, were not forgotten in Kaljulaid's vision for inclusive education, as they too should have equal access to learning opportunities and cultural resources.
- The Estonian Parliament, as the nation's legislative body, plays a crucial role in shaping the country's policies and ensuring the successful implementation of Kaljulaid's educational vision, as well as overseeing matters of national security, the economy, and local government.
- The Estonian biochemistry and science sectors, backed by strong educational foundations and nurturing an environment for innovation and creativity, continue to make groundbreaking contributions to the field, even contributing to the global battle against the coronavirus pandemic.
- Covering Estonia's news, politics, business, and culture, the Estonian World is an essential source of information for anyone interested in staying abreast of the country's development and upcoming elections, shedding light on the evolution of the Estonian Government and the opinions of Estonians across the world.
