According to the Head of State the world, which as a whole is generally a wealthier and safer place than ever before, appears to stand upon several fault lines of history. “Estonia, likewise, an overall wealthier and safer place than ever before, is situated in direct proximity to classical historical fault lines – good and evil, free and totalitarian. There now also exist additional fault lines without geographically definable locations, such as how a society manages and adapts to new technologies that have totally transformed the social mechanisms of discussion and thought sharing. We are still learning this new world, just like those who restored and strengthened Estonia’s independence learned a new world 30 years ago. The learning process does not look graceful. Neither did the process of restoring independence and subsequently building up the state at any and every moment,” she added.
“We do not have to believe everyone and everything all the time. For some of us, one set of decisions is good, and another is bad; for others, the opposite is true. Perhaps it will help and encourage us to have a little more faith in the art of political leadership if we consider the kinds of debates that led to the rebirth of Estonian independence. Yes, there was common ground – the Baltic Way and the Night Song Festival. But there were also bitter arguments, as there always are in a free society. We also need debates. If there were only one decision and one path, one truth – then we would have had no success in restoring our state,” President Kaljulaid said and added that sometimes, we do need to form a Baltic Way and take the hand of someone with whom we often strongly disagree, all to simply save our children’s future.
“To fight climate change in a way that the Estonian economy develops, not suffers. In a way in which the cost of those changes does not fall upon those who have kept the lights on until now. In a way that all children in Estonia are given an equal starting point in schools, so they might take equal part in society, regardless of what language is spoken at their dinner table, how far their front door is from the nearest town or city, or the nature of their parents’ position or income,” the President of Estonia said.
According to President Kaljulaid our country has done well over the last 30 years, but this is not to be taken for granted. “It is an outcome of political decisions. Estonia did not simply end up here – the Estonian state was led here, to today. Today, we must also make bold decisions and not waste time by clinging to yesterday. And smart and bold decisions are needed so that every person in our country genuinely feels that they live in a free and caring Estonia where everyone is granted equal opportunities, regardless of whether they presently belong to the majority or the minority on any issue,” she added.
“These smart and bold decisions always come to us through large debates. That is the way things should be. We will manage if we focus on the core and content of the given issue as we argue. We are able to include more people in discussions if we refrain from political schoolyard bullying. Again, idealistic – I know. But a fine, caring country that looks to the future and is equally dear to all who live there cannot be built without idealism,” President Kaljulaid said.
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