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President of the Republic initiated the amendment of the statutes of the Social Contract Foundation

26.03.2007

On Thursday, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves resolved to initiate amendments to the statutes of the Social Contract Foundation in order reorganize the activities of the foundation and expand the possibilities of the contractual parties to develop participatory democracy in Estonia.

The statutory amendments will increase the role of the contractual parties and reduce the role of the Head of State in managing the foundation, including the appointment of the members of the Supervisory Board of the Foundation, whereby the entire contractual process will become more productive and flexible, and demonstrate more consideration for the processes of a civil society.

“Civil society is not run by the state or by command. The President must serve as a partner and supporter, not a superior,” said President Ilves. He said that only a neutral and politically independent non-governmental cooperation network could participate productively in shaping Estonia’s development, by promoting democracy and civic responsibility in the country.

According to the Head of State, the Social Contract process must create and reproduce social dialogue and democratic choices. “Estonia needs meaningful dialogue and debate that develops our value judgments, as well as unites attitudes and thinking,” said President Ilves.

The Social Contract is a cooperation network of non-governmental organizations interested in Estonia’s long-term development, with the objective of bring forth, discussing, and coordinating the positions of the parties, and based thereon, developing assessments and proposals in key questions regarding the country’s future. The primary topics under consideration are the health, education, social security, and regional development of our nation. Currently, more than 60 organizations have joined the Social Contract.

The Social Contract Foundation issues the annual Estonian Human Development Report.

Social Contract activities are coordinated by the Social Contract Foundation, which was established by the President of the Republic in 2003. This spring, the updating of the Social Contract and reorganization of the foundation’s activities will be completed, which strive to make the contractual process more effective and productive.

Office of the President, Public Relations Department
Kadriorg, 26 March 2007