Institutions

Members

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Jevgeni Kabanov,
ZeroTurnaround OÜ, manager and founding member

Alar Karis,
Auditor General, professor

Toomas Kiho,
editor-in-chief of the journal Akadeemia (Academy)

Robert Kitt,
researcher at Tallinn University of Technology, member of the Executive Board of Swedbank AS

Andrus Kivirähk,
writer

Ants Laaneots,
retired general, Adviser to the Prime Minister

Henri Laupmaa,
technology entrepreneur, Member of the Supervisory Board of the Estonian Fund of Nature

Tõnu Lehtsaar,
Religious Psychology Professor at the University of Tartu

Tanel Linnas,
inventor, Ahhaa Science Centre

Aleksei Lotman,
nature conservationist

Viivi Luik,
writer

Marju Luts-Sootak,
lawyer, Professor at the University of Tartu

Ülar Mark,
architect, Head of the Estonian Centre of Architecture

Iivi Anna Masso,
political scientist

Mart Nutt,
historian, Chairman of the Institute of Human Rights

Tiit Pruuli,
entrepreneur, member of the Supervisory Board of AS Go Travel

Margus Punab,
doctor, head of the andrology unit, Tartu University Hospital

Peeter Saari,
academic, Professor of Wave Optics at the University of Tartu

Ene-Liis Semper,
artist

Helen Sildna,
music entrepreneur, Head of the Tallinn Music Week Festival

Daniel Vaarik

Raivo Vare,
business consultant, OÜ RVVE Grupp

Richard Villems,
academician, director of the Estonian Biocentre

Rules of procedure

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APPROVED by directive no. 10 of the President of the Republic on 17 January 2007

1. The Academic Advisory Board of the President of the Republic (hereinafter Academic Advisory Board) is an advisory body to the President of the Republic (hereinafter “President”).

2. The purpose of the Academic Advisory Board is to provide consultation to the President for the exercising of the President’s constitutional duties.

3. The functions of the Academic Advisory Board are the following:
3.1 to analyze, in cooperation with other advisory bodies formed by the President, various walks of life, and on the basis of the conclusions drawn, to develop recommendations for their balanced development;
3.2 to promote cooperation and mutual understanding between scholars, cultural and society figures, politicians, officials, and representatives of non-profit associations and foundations in resolving problems of importance to Estonia;
3.3 to raise publicly issues that require more in-depth discussion and if necessary, to publish relevant materials.

4. The members of the Academic Advisory Board shall be appointed and released from their position by the President.

5. For the purpose of more thorough preparation of topics in different spheres, the Academic Advisory Board may form committees and working groups, the work of which shall be led and organized by an adviser to the President or another public servant from the Office of the President.

6. The work of the members of the Academic Advisory Board and its committees and working groups shall generally not be remunerated.

7. The format for the Academic Advisory Board shall be a meeting taking place in the presence of the President. The meeting has a quorum if at least one-half of the members of the Academic Advisory Board are present.

8. The meetings of the Academic Advisory Board shall be convened by the President. The agenda and date and time of the Academic Advisory Board meeting shall be set out at the preceding Academic Advisory Board meeting. Issues shall be included on the agenda at the proposal of the President and the Academic Advisory Board members.

9. The Academic Advisory Board meeting shall be chaired by the President or a Academic Advisory Board member authorized by the President.

10. The recommendations, proposals and decisions of the Academic Advisory Board shall be developed and adopted by the participants in the meeting on the basis of solidarity.

11. Minutes shall be kept of the Academic Advisory Board meeting, and shall be sent to Academic Advisory Board members. The minutes shall be kept on file at the Office of the President.

12. At the proposal of the Academic Advisory Board, experts may be invited to the session to deliver presentations, present positions, provide information and to take part in discussing agenda items.

13. On the basis of decision of the Academic Advisory Board, forums, seminars and other information events may be organized in matters pertaining to the functions of the Academic Advisory Board.

14. The public shall be kept apprised of the activities of the Academic Advisory Board. Documents approved at Academic Advisory Board meetings shall be published.

15. Costs of technical services and operating costs of the Academic Advisory Board shall be borne by the Office of the President.

Meetings and presentations

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29 August 2016
Topic: "The Future of Estonia and Europe"

13 June 2012
Theme: "The Internet age"
Henri Laupmaa and Daniel Vaarik: "Freedom in the Internet age"
President Toomas Hendrik Ilves: "D2ASA – a new opportunity"

2 September 2011
Theme: "E-health"
Madis Tiik: "E-health – what needs to be done and what can we actually do?"
Hanno Pevkur: "E-health – where next?"
Margit Sutrop: "The ethical aspects of e-health"
Margus Punab: "Problems and aspirations"

24 March 2011
Theme: "Complex systems and tolerance"
Jüri Engelbrecht: "Complex systems – why we should know more about them"
Leo Mõtus: "The mirror universe and managing emerging behaviour in complex systems"
Robert Kitt: "Complex social systems"
Alar Kilp: "The roots and limits of tolerance"
Margit Sutrop: "Should we tolerate intolerance, too?"

14 December 2010
Theme: "The IT Academy and Estonian IT development"
Taavi Kotka and Sten Tamkivi: "Labour needs in the Estonian ICT sector"
Üllar Jaaksoo: "Higher education in ICT"
Marlon Dumas: "Estonian IT through the eyes of an outsider"

27 August 2010
Topic: "Penal law"
Jaan Sootak: "Adequacy of penal law – independence of law and what society expects from law"
Sten Lind: "Judex non calculat"
Jüri Saar: "How hazardous is danger? The example of Post-punishment detention"

13 May 2010
Topic: "Foreign policy"
Kadri Liik: "Some common characteristics shared by foreign policy and opera singing"
Maria Mälksoo: "The memory-related political horizon of Estonian foreign policy"
Vahur Made: "The non-polar and Sinopolar world system"

9 March 2010
Topic: "Psychological protection"
Raul Rebane: "Psychological protection"
Uku Arold: "Psychological protection in Estonia"
Marju Lauristin: "Target groups of the information war and possibilities for psychological protection"
Ilmar Raag: "Paradigm of strategic communication"
Juhan Kivirähk: "Psychological protection and opinion surveys"

9 December 2009
Topic: "Higher education in mother tongue (Estonian)"
Tõnis Lukas: "Touchstones of Estonian higher education policy"
Alar Karis: "University and the world"

20 August 2009
Working meeting on the organization of the Academic Advisory Board

3 July 2009
Topic: "Journalism"
Mart Kadastik: "Does journalism have time?"
Hans H. Luik: "Estonian journalism in conditions of diffused attention"
Tiina Kaalep: "Anonymity and responsibility in journalism"
Tiit Hennoste: "From news value to commenting value"

28 April 2009
Topic: "Discursive democracy"
Marju Lauristin: "The possibility of discursive democracy – the example of the countryside brainstorming sessions"

3 February 2009
Topic: "Creative industries in Estonia"
Jüri Engelbrecht: "Is investment in science and research the "Estonian thing"?"
Rein Raud: "Creative industries"
Martin Aadamsoo: "Creative industries"

12 December 2008
Academic Advisory Board. Ross: "Eesti Pank economic forecast and monetary policy conclusions"

6 August 2008
Topic: "Rural life and life in the countryside"
Tõnu Õnnepalu: "Rural life and life in the countryside"
Andres Rõigas: "The feasibility of life in the countryside"

3 June 2008
Jaan Tallinn: "Skype"
Teet Jagomägi: "I Story of Regio. II About innovation"
Andres Sutt: "Innovation in the public sector"

10 April 2008
Margus Punab: "Health criteria and epidemiological research"
Mati Rahu: "Epidemiological research and invasion of privacy"
Peeter Ross: "Availability of electronic health data"

27 February 2008
Märten Ross: "General introduction to the labour market"
Tairi Rõõm: "Education and the labour market"
Martti Raidal: "Research policy, slogans and reality"
Jaan Einasto and Mart Saarma: "Developing research, education and technology in Estonia, i.e. how to become great in spirit? 1"
Jaan Einasto and Mart Saarma: "Developing research, education and technology in Estonia, i.e. how to become great in spirit? 2"

27 November 2007
Toomas Kukk: "What is the future of being Estonian?"
Tiina Kirss: "What is the future of being Estonian? What are our values?"
Margit Sutrop: "What kinds of values espoused by Estonians need protection?"

13 August 2007
Jaan Einasto: "Innovation and science"
Marek Tiits: "Innovation and the economy"
Ott Pärna: "Innovation and development"

11 June 2007
Tõnis Lukas and Katri Raik: "Numerical data on schools with Russian as the language of instruction"

24 April 2007
Toomas Hiio in the President’s Academic Advisory Board 24 April 2007
Marek Tamm: "Amnesty and anamnesis: memory conflicts in Estonian society"

14 February 2007
Topic: "Energy: Estonia’s real choices"
Einari Kisel: "Energy sector and the economy"
Sandor Liive: "Nuclear energy: developments in the world and the possible role for Eesti Energia in the Baltic Sea region"
Raul Mälk: "Energy sector and foreign policy"
Raivo Vilu: "Oil shale energy sector"

18 December 2006

Presidendi Kärajad 10.10.2007

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In opening the Presidendi Kärajad (The President’s Counsel) day of debate in Pärnu on 10 October, President Ilves remarked that if a working bee is a collective undertaking bringing people together in a very hands-on way, the day of debate was its intellectual counterpart.

“People have been meeting at gatherings like these to discuss important social issues and questions of court and matters of war and peace for hundreds, if not thousands of years here in Estonia,” he said. “They are a counsel in every sense of the word, involving everyone equally.”

The day of debate, which focussed on issues related to the future of Estonia and Europe more broadly, was organised by the President’s Academic Advisory Board, the Open Estonia Foundation and Pärnu Conferences.

“The board is made up of representatives from different professional backgrounds and different walks of life, from fields as wide-ranging as science and culture,” the president explained. “The counsel they provide is not something we want to keep to ourselves: when it comes to important issues we want to extend it to the general public,” he added, urging those present to take the message of the day to those unable to attend.

The first half of the day represented the inaugural public event of the board, which was established in autumn 2006. Going under the title Presidendi Kärajad, it saw Professor Marju Lauristin, academic Peeter Tulviste, doctor of law Lauri Mälksoo and Theatre NO99 director Tiit Ojasoo discuss cohesion and tolerance within Estonian society.

The day then continued with the now traditional Open Society Forum – the 12th such event organised by the Open Estonia Foundation. Discussing the future of Europe before the audience were President Ilves, executive director of the European Council of Foreign Relations Mark Leonard and chairman of the board of the Sofia-based Centre for Liberal Strategies Ivan Krastev.

The day of debate came to a close with a public dialogue between President Ilves and Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Anne Applebaum about Europe, Russia and interpreting history. There followed a reception for guests attending the event and those participating in the Pärnu Management Conference, which was being held simultaneously at the same venue.

The objective which the organisers of the event have set themselves is to unite, today and in future, leading figures from public authority, enterprise and civic society in one discussion space to debate Estonia’s welfare and development – something which everyone in the country must strive to ensure.

Presidendi Kärajad 08.10.2008

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In association with the University of Tartu, the President’s Academic Advisory Board organised a day of debate entitled Presidendi Kärajad (The President’s Counsel) in the Great Hall of the university on 8 October. The overarching theme of the event was education.

The first half of the day saw presentations given by two speakers: Ministry of Education and Research secretary-general Janar Holm talked about the level of education in Estonia, while textiles artist Irina Gross showcased the Noored kooli (Putting Young Teachers in Schools) programme. Discussion was led by Professor Toivo Maimets.

Jaan Tallinn, Mart Ustav, Pille Kaisel and Ilmar Raag then shared their memories of their own school days before the discussion was rounded out by Minister of Education Tõnis Lukas.

The afternoon session saw President Ilves and history professor Norman Davies in dialogue, moderated by Estonian diplomat and historian Margus Laidre.

Presidendi Kärajad 19.03.2009

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19 March will feature the third event in the Presidendi Kärajad at the Tehnopol Tallinn Technology Park, which this time will focus on innovation.

President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Skype CEO Josh Silverman will talk about the meaning of innovation globally and the challenges facing Estonia. The audience is welcome to participate in the discussion.

The Presidendi Kärajad will be organized by the President’s Academic Advisory Board, Tehnopol and Skype. Participation is by invitation. The event will be webcast live.

Read and view more:
Josh Silverman, interview with Eesti Päevaleht, 7 March 2009
Josh Silverman on the ETV morning program Terevisioon, ERR 19 March 2009
Skype president: Estonia could be EU leader in innovation, Reporter 19 March 2009
"Estonian e-president welcomes Skype effect", DPA 19 March 2009
Ilves and Silverman: Estonia needs a new tiger leap – talent home 19.03.2009

Presidendi Kärajad 09.10.2009

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The Presidendi Kärajad debate day was organized by the President’s Academic Advisory Board in cooperation with the University of Tartu Centre for Ethics and the Ministry of Education and Research. This time the topics were trust and responsibility in politics, the economy and society.

Presidendi Kärajad 15.10.2010

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The latest day of debate going under the title of Presidendi Kärajad (The President’s Counsel) was held on 15 October, led by the President’s Academic Advisory Board in association with the Estonian Development Fund and Pärnu Conferences. The theme of the day was ‘Estonia 100’ or Estonia in the new decade.

The fourth event in the series sought to ask and answer questions regarding the possibilities open to the country, its ambitions and its vitality. What issues will form the core of social and political debate at the end of the decade, when the Republic of Estonia marks its 100th anniversary?

The day was opened by President Ilves, whose welcome was followed by a presentation given by former prime minister Mart Laar and a discussion on Estonia’s future prospects involving representatives of the country’s various political parties. The second half of the day saw Estonian Development Fund director Ott Pärna and entrepreneur Priit Põldoja presenting the ‘Estonian development vision 2018’. Debate then ensued on related issues.

The president’s writing bee 2011: “In and out of Estonia’s doors”

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Patron: President Toomas Hendrik Ilves

Organisers: Centre for Ethics, University of Tartu & the President’s Academic Advisory Board

Partners: Office of the President of the Republic; Ministry of Education and Research within the National Programme ‘Development of Values in Estonian Society 2009–2013’; Akadeemia and Akadeemiake journals; Estonian Language Foundation; Digira; Petrone Print.

The jury for the writing bee chose four winners, who were:

• Mihkel Kama
• Ragnar Mägi
• Kadri Raudsepp
• Margit Tõhk

Also recognised were Catherine Oliver for the best entry in a foreign language and Rein Leetmaa for the best entry submitted by a school student.

The President presented the winners with their awards at Kadriorg on 12 July 2011.

A total of 98 entries were submitted from 22 countries. Those taking part were of all ages, ranging from teens to the over-70s. The reasons most of the author gave for people leaving and returning to Estonia were emotional ones, although some proffered much more specific considerations. Project managers from the Centre for Ethics are currently working with students from the University of Tartu to analyse the problems and solutions highlighted in the essays.

Objective

Throughout history, people have left Estonia to seek their fortune abroad – and many have also returned. Their reasons for leaving have varied over time. Many fled war or occupation; many left in search of greater opportunities for success, to obtain a better education and more experience, to seek a better life, to explore the world, and to find themselves. However, Estonia’s doors have never been as wide open as they are today.

So why are people still leaving the country? And why are they coming here, or coming back? What should we be doing to ensure that Estonia does not ‘bleed out’, as it were? So that people want to live here; so that it is the best place to live, and to make something of yourself, and to raise children, and to grow old? So that people do not feel like strangers in their own home, or at home away from home?

As President Ilves said in his Independence Day speech in 2011, “Estonia’s drawing power cannot be coercion, fear or obligation. Estonia’s appeal must lie elsewhere. Estonia must be such a likeable and liveable place that those who are here want to stay; those who have left want to return; and all the rest, who have skills and savoir faire and take an interest in – or even love – our land and people, want to come here. But this does not mean attracting foreign investment. This does not mean higher salaries or lower tax rates than elsewhere – no, far from it. The key here lies somewhere else altogether: being the kind of country where we ourselves want to live.”

The goal of the “In and out of Estonia’s doors” writing bee is to create a collection of experiences and stories of different people which relate to:

– going abroad and coming back again;
– the openness and chances of success of people in Estonia and from other countries at home and abroad; and
– (re)integration at home and away.

Rules

1. Stories must be between 500 and 2000 words long (1.5-5 pages).
2. Stories must be submitted via e-mail to eetika@eetika.ee or by post to the Centre for Ethics of the University of Tartu, Ülikooli 7, Tartu 51003, Estonia.
3. The deadline for submission is 9 May 2011 (Europe Day).
4. The winners will be announced and the awards ceremony will take place in June 2011.

The stories will be judged anonymously on the following criteria:

1. Clarity of thought
2. Engaging presentation
3. Originality

Awards

• All participants will receive a signed photo of President Ilves.
• The winners will be invited to a reception hosted by President Ilves in June.
• The best stories will be published in the Akadeemia journal or in a separate collection. The best stories written by students will be published in the Akadeemiake journal.
• The winners of the writing bee will be awarded prizes from the Ministry of Education and Research, Digira, the Estonian Language Foundation and Petrone Print.
• The most interesting stories and the results of the writing bee will be published (anonymously, if requested) on the www.eetika.ee website.

The president’s writing bee 2009: “What can I do for Estonia?”

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The Centre for Ethics of the University of Tartu, the President’s Academic Advisory Board and the Minu Eesti (My Estonia) initiative present

The President’s Writing Bee 2009

President Ilves is inviting youngsters all over the country to enter the writing bee, on the topic “What can I do for Estonia?”.

At the Estonian Literary Museum in Tartu today, 27 February, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves launched a writing bee for students from schools and universities all over Estonia. In his introduction, President Ilves outlined why he had chosen “What can I do for Estonia?” as the theme of the essays to be submitted.

“That’s a question we all need to answer honestly, or else Estonia will go awry,” he said. “And it’s not only a question for politicians or pundits or people who are well-known. Estonia is a democratic country, and our welfare depends on all of us. In fact, it’s a question that all of Estonia’s citizens should answer, and anyone who calls Estonia home. Only by doing so can we seek solutions to our problems, so that young people return when they go abroad, and to avoid people destroying their health. Answering that question will gift society with tolerance and solidarity, an enterprising spirit and a sense of caring about others. These are all things that we have a very clear need for today.

“Let this writing bee follow on from the ‘What kind of Estonia do I want to live in?’ essay contest from two years ago. The 326 pieces of writing that were submitted back then spoke of things we should be proud of: the freedom we’ve won; our language and our culture; the beauty of our natural environment; the achievements of our athletes and cultural figures. They complained of a lack of tolerance, true care, honesty, justice and sense of responsibility. They took aim at politicians who make promises they never keep. They underscored concerns about young people leaving their country behind; about insurmountable barriers between national groups; about people only being able to make something of themselves in our bigger towns and cities. Unfortunately, they spoke little of what they could do as citizens to make Estonia the kind of place they wanted it to be.

“New ideas and innovative approaches are born in the imaginations of the young. The history of our nation has shown that it’s often the get-up-and-go of young people that makes the impossible possible.

“That’s why I’m calling on students – from primary and secondary schools, and colleges and universities – to think, in a creative way, about the opportunities facing Estonia and to come up with their own solutions in terms of helping the country out of the crisis. It’s only together that we’ll overcome it. Doing so, however, requires the contribution of every citizen. The aim of this writing bee is to get people thinking about what they personally, individually, can do for their country. What should we be focussing more attention on? How can we turn the global financial crisis to our advantage? Which of our resources and skills have yet to be tapped? What do we have to learn from our history and from previous generations? How can we get through hard times? What can we adopt and adapt from other countries, and what example do we set for them? What would keep young people in Estonia?”

Rules

• The competition is open to students from all level of schooling as well as college and university students (including those studying for Master’s degrees and doctorates).
• Essays must be 2-4 pages long (max. 10,000 characters) and formatted in MS Word with line spacing of 1.5.
• The deadline for submitting essays is 25 March 2009 (Annunciation Day).
• Essays should be submitted by e-mail to eetika@eetika.ee or by post to the Centre for Ethics, University of Tartu, Ülikooli 7, 51003 Tartu.
• Be sure to include your name, age and contact details and the name of your school/college/university.

Judging criteria

Every essay will be read by at least two people. They will be judged on three things: clarity of thought; engaging presentation; and originality. Assessment will be anonymous and take place over a number of rounds. The jury for the final round will be the President’s Academic Advisory Board, which will convene on 20 April. The winners will receive awards and be invited to attend a session of the advisory board at Kadriorg. All participants will receive a signed photo of President Ilves. The most interesting essays will be published in the Eesti Päevaleht newspaper and in the Akadeemiake journal.

More information about the competition is available online at www.eetika.ee or by calling 737 5426.

The writing bee is being organised by the Centre for Ethics of the University of Tartu in cooperation with the President’s Academic Advisory Board and the Minu Eesti (My Estonia) initiative. Also contributing to the competition are Eesti Päevaleht and the Akadeemia journal. The writing bee is being supported and its prizes sponsored by the Ministry of Education and Research.