- Reset +

President Ilves: Estonia’s roots are in civil society

22.05.2008

President Toomas Hendrik Ilves started his county visit to Järvamaa on Wednesday with a lecture to the students of class 11b at the Paide Upper Secondary School.

“The roots of the Estonian state are in civil society. The state, as it exists today, was created by Estonian citizens because they wanted to accomplish something themselves, to govern themselves,” the Head of State told the young people.

President Ilves impressed upon them the fact that the process of building the state has not been completed, but must be continued by each successive generation. “You will soon be the ones who decide the fate of Estonia. The future is in your hands.”

According to the Head of State, a good education provides opportunities and freedom for one’s entire life. “You can decide and make Estonia better a better place, the world a better place,” he said.

Concluding his lecture, President Ilves answered questions about Estonia’s domestic, foreign and defence policies, and about the survival of the Estonian language and culture in a globalizing world.

President Ilves also visited Jalax, a metal furniture and component manufacturer, and Jalaccell, a company that produces exercise equipment. The Head of State acknowledged the company’s managers, saying that product development and export, which the companies actively deals with, will advance Estonia’s economy.

President Ilves’s visit to Järva County continued with a discussion group at the Türi College of the University of Tartu, where the question of merging local governments will be considered.

Office of the President
Public Relations Department
Phone +372 631 6229