In my speech on 2 September I said that Estonia’s biggest treasure was the people. And it is. We need to do everything in our power to make sure that there are many people who take forward the Estonian language and culture. So that Estonia is the best place to raise children and grow old; to invent things and write poetry; to do science and business. So that our children are among the smartest, most balanced, and happiest in the world. So no one would end up losing their joy in life around their family or at work, or because of their age or health.
Pure nature, thick forests. Sea, lakes, and rivers. Birds and animals. Plants, mushrooms, bees. Fish and dragonflies. In only a generation from now, our nature will be an even greater wonder of the world than it is now. Provided we know how to preserve it.
Estonia is already one of the nicest places to live in the world. Even with its mosquitoes and puddles, good and bad ski weather. Everyone here in Estonia must feel that they are an asset, as are their life, work, and creation. We must all fit comfortably. With our interests, views, lifestyles, tastes, and mother tongues.
High and popular culture, alternative culture and underground, all that smorgasbord. Rehearsing for the Song and Dance Celebration does not stand in the way of hip hop or midnight raves. Or the other way round. Estonia is free, exciting, lively, evolving, diverse.
Can we keep and continue building this kind of Estonia? I feel that this depends on trust, hopes for the future, and courage. We might not notice daily that most places in Estonia still put great value on goodness, honest work, common sense, and helping the neighbours, or we might have forgotten it. The neighbour pulls out your car from the snow drift and might even plough the driveway clean; an old lady shivering in the bus stop gets picked up and delivered to her destination; other kids are driven home from sports practice along with your own; a bag full of fresh cucumbers and tomatoes is tied to the neighbour’s door handle; and apples are placed outside the gate for anyone to take. Let us all notice, acknowledge, and be part of this.
In my work as the Chancellor of Justice—or Ombudsman, if you like—I saw much too often a person genuinely doing their best, serving others, but not getting the same back in return. And yet they should. It should be obvious. Take a mother who by cruel fate is raising her child alone, while working, learning a trade that is essential for the society, volunteering wherever she can; and yet when she herself needs help and seeks it, she can far too often run against administrative bullying and a cold shoulder.
In the Office of the Chancellor of Justice, my colleagues and I fought soulless procedures at every opportunity. Why do we need a system where we can coldly shrug our shoulders and say that the “clients did not receive a service” instead of realising that a child and their mother were left to cope on their own?
Luckily there are those who solve problems. But are we able to notice and acknowledge them for it? For example, a police officer who saves the life of a child who was speeding on an electric scooter and takes the child and the scooter home ... and is told by the parents something that I do not want to repeat.
I am left to wonder how anyone could think that a fully trained officer would leave their family home for a night shift simply for the joy of harassing law-abiding citizens. Or a caring teacher who looks for ways the students could spread their wings and who arrives home in the evening and opens her computer only to find messages that are anything but grateful.
Compatriots,
I think we need much more trust and heartfelt recognition. After all, each of us is a trained professional who is doing their best. And trust must indeed be earned by doing our best. All of us, in our life and work.
I think we need much more trust and heartfelt recognition. After all, each of us is a trained professional who is doing their best. And trust must indeed be earned by doing our best. All of us, in our life and work.
The attempts of the last decade to retrain people, to prescribe a one and only right way to live, think, feel, or speak, has inevitably led to a strong backlash against trust as well. We have learned the lesson; it is now time to restore the trust.
Particularly for people who experienced the occupation with its brainwashing, any kind of ideological propaganda begets disgust that can make even the best of us write or do something that we would otherwise not even have imagined. And just vote against… everything. The resentment translating into the election result.
Everyone has the right to vote exactly as they see fit. This is what the elections are for. The main thing is not to keep from voting altogether, remain silent, let go, or withdraw from life. After all, indifference is the enemy of free democratic society, as are loss of future prospects, and pointless noise.
The rule of law also stands on trust—the knowledge that rules apply to everyone and that people are treated fairly. Whatever happens, let’s refrain from crating trouble—here, in our neck of the woods, among our own people. There should be an absolute minimum of people who have it so bad—maybe with some justification—that they are willing to smash things up. We have a future to build.
Ladies and gentlemen,
You know the saying: if you want peace, you need to prepare for ... you know what. Peace must be treasured. Everyone can take part in this. First step: keep peace of mind. There is too much fear of war in the air. I always feel calmer coming from a fact-based assessment meeting of the security situation than when reading intentional fear-mongering.
Of course, I am well aware that this is built on political or business interests, but still. Yes, the world around us is unpredictable and dangerous. Global trust crisis—also correct. I understand the concern and feel the same myself. But Ukraine must be supported with all available means to end the war of aggression against it and usher in a lasting, fair peace. To punish the war criminals and make the aggressor pay the damages. We need to show convincingly to the whole world that international law, rules-based world order, and respect for human rights serve most countries and every human being.
Great care has been taken to build a strong Estonia. Defence Forces, Defence League, Women's Voluntary Defence Organisation. The whole comprehensive national defence. Dedicated neighbours in the Baltic states and Nordic countries. Poland. All our allies in Europe and NATO. That is our security. And it is quite a lot, although a lot still remains to be done.
Please keep the fear and hopelessness from seeping into your souls. Fear paralyses or pushes to stupid deeds. We need to act smartly. All that I know makes me confident in saying that our future is not dark or decided for us—we will continue to build it ourselves.
Times of confusion should be seen as great opportunities and be used skilfully. We have done this before—with foresight, determination, and joy.
We need more humour and light-heartedness. And food for the soul. Culture cannot be viewed as an afterthought. Culture keeps and carries us, gives solace, shifts the confines and throws up red flags, cleans out the dark recesses of the human soul, helps us to become better.
Always take part in local cultural events. Make them inviting and accessible for children and teenagers, as well as to those with empty pockets or mobility impairments. We need to appreciate our writers, film and theatre creators, artists, designers, museums—the new and the legacy.
We must also always take interest in how other nations live and what they create. While abroad, I always try to visit a museum or a church or a concert—if only for a moment.
And we must remain visible as well: exhibitions of Estonian artists around the world, our wonderful orchestras and choirs, theatre performances, novels, medals at sporting events—all this counts. The same goes for research results and the consequent inventions that are admitted into production. Bold and reliable business environment. Technology, start-up, and agricultural companies, as well as defence industry, of course.
But not only that. Today, it is a big thing when an entrepreneur can produce something special and particularly well, reasonably priced and sustainable, and also deliver the goods on time—not only here in Estonia, but around the world.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Estonia’s trump card is our education. We know this, as does the whole educated world. But I ask you to make stronger efforts to ensure good education and broad opportunities for all the children in Estonia. This must not depend on whether the child is going to school in a small rural area or the densely built-up districts of the capital, lives with their parents, in a foster home, or an orphanage, or is only just learning Estonian. The future of the Estonian nation depends on the good education for all the children in Estonia.
The AI Leap initiated by President Alar Karis in schools deserves recognition and continuation. The future belongs to those who can use AI smartly, while remaining skilled human beings who do not depend on it. The new jump must aim as far as possible and always focus on using AI responsibly.
Technology must not make us forget that people must be able to take care of themselves. Excessive dependency on technology and electricity is dangerous for everyone and in all areas. A storm or a thief is enough to find oneself in big trouble. Let’s remain on top of our own lives.
Estonia’s Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa Pakosta is a global opinion leader in shaping the AI regulation. This is where Estonia must be a pioneer. After all, we have a long digital governance experience and a difficult history.
We have understanding for other nations and countries across the world, and maybe they for us. The digital divide does not deepen or run only within societies, occasionally causing massive poverty, pain, and resentment year by year or month by month. It also divides the world in increasingly dangerous ways. This is why we need to agree that AI must be accessible for those of lesser age or means as well. And that AI must serve the humanity, not vice versa.
To protect the Estonian language and culture, all the small nations and cultures, we need to make sure that they are included correctly and fully in the AI models.
Today, the robot armies that serve the interests of the aggressor state energetically spread lies and are also teaching the AI to lie. This lie, ladies and gentlemen, will hit us all hard. I think that any country that wishes to remain independent and autonomous should be vitally interested in fighting hostile propaganda.
The President of the Republic cannot and must not replace the Riigikogu, elected by the people, nor the government, nor the courts. The separation and balance of powers is an important value. The President plays a role in this equation of balance.
The date for the National Defence Council provided in the Constitution has already been set. I would complement the saying “A hard drill makes an easy battle” by adding that a particularly hard drill would prevent a battle. This is, after all, our goal.
Lack of ideas and diversity could be fought on our home soil with bold ideas and dreams. One place for this is the Academic Advisory Board of the President. Seeking, thinking, arguing, and joking together brings out the best in people, from members of the academy to schoolchildren. This is how new ideas are born.
The President can acknowledge and support all those who work to ensure that families have a place to live and raise their children, that the birth of a child would not lead to financial hardship, and that those who want to build a home in the countryside would receive a loan. I hope that child and family-oriented Estonia will be the focus of all future elections. Not by driving anyone into a corner or a defensive position, but by joyfully showing how well something could be done.
We possibly need a Tiger Leap in mental health as well. Yes, of course, we need more psychologists and psychiatrists. But we must also hasten to eliminate unnecessary tensions that keep breaking people down.
Excessive, disruptive competitiveness, backstabbing, noise, harassment, injustice, loneliness, fear and worry, or hopelessness are not inevitable phenomena of life. I will do my best to create the courage and skill to eliminate these as much as possible. Because why be unhappy and lose when you can be happy and win?
The President can give a wider stage to the frustrations, hopes and dreams in Võru or Viru County, Mehikoorma or Häädemeeste, Islands of Saaremaa or Hiiumaa, Paide or Põltsamaa; all the places where the local communities are making heroic efforts to keep the life from moving away, to keep the farms flourishing, tourism and businesses evolving; to keep the hope from generation to generation.
Only a strong and adaptable economy can provide the resources necessary to preserve our free Estonia. So let us liberate our entrepreneurs. We do not need the total comfort that makes people lazy and helpless. We do not need commandments and prohibitions that stifle creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, pointless bureaucracy, or omnipresent supervisors. The head of state can also keep reminding people of that—in the shape of a veto, if necessary.
I will make time to meet people from all walks of life in different corners of Estonia; to listen, empathise, try to understand, and then take their messages forward. You will see me and my colleagues in gardens, manufacturing plants, farms, brainstorming corners of companies, schools, care homes, village greens, hospitals, city streets, and other places where everyday life happens in all its complexity.
I apologise up front, but I’m afraid I will not make it to as many celebrations as I should. I beg for your understanding.
I hope to communicate regularly with members of the Riigikogu, Prime Minister and ministers, heads of constitutional institutions, remaining conscious and respectful of their roles. This is also where trust, respecting the dignity of each other, and working together for the future of Estonia and everyone here counts.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I have repeatedly said and will say again: all our previous heads of state have held the right position at the right time and have made Estonia bigger and better. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Alar Karis! And particular thanks to Mrs Sirje Karis. Her work for the children of Ukraine alone deserves the highest recognition.
I feel great awe and responsibility in taking over from my predecessors.
People of Estonia,
If we trust each other, value freedom and responsibility, and clear communication instead of soothing platitudes, if we are not afraid to be good people, trust life, believe in Estonia, and maintain a hopeful outlook, then all good things are possible.
Long live Estonia!
