Forum for Estonians around the World (Global Estonians)

17.00-17.05 Opening words by Mr Neeme Raud

17.05-17.15 Welcoming words by Foreign Minister Ms. Eva-Maria Liimets 17.15-17.25 The Foreign Ministry’s agenda and activities for Global Estonia.

Which steps is the Foreign Ministry taking to increase the importance of Global Estonians and improve cooperation with Estonians abroad? What are the results of the survey on Global Estonians conducted in October 2020? Mr. Erki Kodar, Undersecretary for Legal and Consular Affairs

We will cover the newest focus topics of the Foreign Ministry – cyber diplomacy and business diplomacy – that help boost the image of Estonia as an innovative state worldwide.

• 17.25-17.35 What is cyber diplomacy? How did Estonia acquire a reputation as a cyber state and what is being done to maintain that image? An overview of Estonia’s activities and cooperation in cyber diplomacy on the international stage. Mrs. Heli Tiirmaa-Klaar, Director General of the Cyber Diplomacy Department, Estonian Ambassador at Large for Cyber Diplomacy

• 17.35-17.45 What is business diplomacy? How do we help open doors for Estonian companies worldwide? How do we plan to boost the growth of Estonia’s economy and raise our profile on foreign markets? What is Estonia’s digital reputation? Mr. JüriSeilenthal, Director General of the External Economic and Development Cooperation Department

17.45-17.55 What are our plans for making consular services more convenient, to make them more aligned with our image as a digital state, and which innovations  are  planned  for  the  provision  of  consular  services to Estonians abroad in the near future? Mrs. Tiina Nirk, Director General of the Consular Department

We will give the floor to Estonians living abroad

• 17.55-18.10 Ms. Ellen Valter, a lawyer living in Canada, talks about the innovative and  dynamic  Keskus/International  Estonian  Centre  planned to be opened in downtown Toronto, where Estonians of different generations could meet and celebrate important events, share Estonian culture and Estonia’s achievements with each other and the world. Ellen Valter was awarded the  Order  of  Merit  of  the  White  Star,  Fourth  Class by the President of Estonia.
• 18.10-18.25 Ms. Hille Hanso, a political scientist and journalist living in Turkey, shares her thoughts on what cooperation with the state could entail and how Estonians living abroad could contribute to the success of Estonia. In 2020, Hille Hanso was recognised by the Foreign Ministry for citizen diplomacy for her contribution to developing Estonian-Turkish relations.

   18.25-18.50 Q & A

   18.50 – 19.00 Final words by Mr. Neeme Raud