Program

This year there are more than 150 discussions in the program, 12 of them are in English. Here is the full program in English:

Friday, 11.08

• 12.00 Coffee with Elisabet Sahtouris (Rohekoostöö ala – area number 8)
  Cozy discussion with Elisabet, who come to Estonia from Hawaii. She is internationaLly known evolution biologist, futurist, professor, author of many books. She shows the relevance of biological systems to organizational design in business, government and globalisation.
• 12.00 Is This the Time for Africa? (Välispoliitika ala – area number 10)
  The Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU was a catalyst for reinvigorating relations with Africa. This was reinforced by Estonia’s campaign and time served on the UN Security Council. Estonia’s Africa strategy launched in 2020 set new goals. Is there a role for Estonia to play in the transformation of Africa? Can the continent and Estonia benefit from each other?
• 14.00 Democracy Innovations from Finland and Estonia (Demokraatia ala – area number 6)
  Democracy, including the public sector’s accountability for collaborative governance, constantly needs renewing. How are everyday citizens engaged in decision-making and policy implementation? How is more trust created through meaningful collaboration, deliberations and dialogue? The discussion focuses on the state of the art of democracy in Finland and Estonia and showcases inspiring innovations.
• 14.00 The Happy Place – Stuck in a Purgatory of Your Work Life (Säiliv ja nõtke ala – area number 17) When looking for a new job we are often won over by keywords like flexible working hours, work-private life balance, a supportive team etc… but the reality turns out to be quite different than expected. Which factors in the work environment are essential for high productivity and is it even possible to create a happy working environment or are we all just stuck in a work life purgatory? Is it possible to be happy and successful at the same time?
• 16.00 Greenwashing Takes a Toll on Green Transition (Säiliv ja nõtke ala – area number 17)
  If you have flown somewhere, had your package delivered or ordered food you have probably seen a proud statement – this activity or product is CO2 free! Is the company really striving towards a more sustainable future or is it just greenwashing, a marketing gimmick intended to mislead consumers who prefer to buy goods and services from environmentally conscious brands? Join the discussion on what exactly does CO2 free and neutral mean, what is its impact on the environment (if any), and is it really even possible to reduce, offset, or remove the carbon dioxide emissions companies create. How to navigate in these myriad of green pledges, what to buy and where to invest? Or have we even given too much attention to CO2 over many other paramount realms of sustainability?
• 18.00 Ukrainian Victory and Its Global Aftermath (Välispoliitika ala – area number 10)
  Artur Rehi interview with Kaimo Kuusk on how the world is after Ukraine has won the war. What it means when Ukraine wins? What is the purpose of international coalition for Ukraine? What happens with Russia and what is NATO’s future after Russia has lost the war?
• 20.00 The Image of Estonia In the World – a Falcon Or a Unicorn? (Festivaliklubi – area number 1)
  Estonia is talked about in the world as an innovative startup and digital country – a unicorn. At the same time, Estonia is also being talked about as a falcon, who is the promoter of a strong security policy. Besides these two wonderful animals, does Estonia have anything else to offer the world? This is discussed by the ambassadors residing in Estonia, having a broad view of the world, but at the same time being well acquainted with Estonia’s peculiarities and possibilities.

Saturday, 12.08

• 10.00 Inclusive Communities (Säiliv ja nõtke ala – area number 17)
  How do we include underrepresented voices in societal discussions? In this English-language panel, experts from a wide-range of organizations will give their opinions, experience, and advice about how we can make sure everyone has space to be included in today’s most pressing conversations.
• 12.00 Embracing Diversity, Enriching Well-being: Insights from International Talent in Estonia (Säiliv ja nõtke ala – area number 17)
  Estonia is lucky to have a growing and vibrant international talent community flourishing within its borders. But what do we really know about them and why did they decide to build their lives in Estonia? Join us for a dynamic panel event where a diverse group of specialists, hailing from various professional domains, will share their remarkable journeys of living and working in Estonia. Discover the motivations behind their choice to build their lives here, their interactions with the local community, and their visions for a more inclusive future. In this engaging discussion, we’ll also delve into the triumphs and challenges faced by international talent, examining the support systems in place and envisioning possibilities for improvement.
• 14.00 Does Voting Still Matter? (Festivaliklubi – area number 1)
  What can we – as citizens – do, to be heard more? It is widely acknowledged that safeguarding our rights and democracy is important. But does it still matter to go voting, when the outcomes often leave us disillusioned? Why do many people not vote at all? In this discussion, we will explore the significance and trends of voting by examining case studies from Hungary, Turkey, and Estonia.
• 14.00 Dealing With (Bad) Neighbors – Peacefully Resolving Conflicts in Communities (Säiliv ja nõtke ala – area number 17)
  Neighbours – whether living next-door or in the same city – sometimes get on our nerves. How can we maintain healthy relations with people in our community? What to do if our arguments escalate or the views become very polarised? It is easy to add fuel to arguments but calming them down needs conscious effort. Our specialists talk about how to do it.
• 16.00 Why Do We Need Higher Education? (Demokraatia ala – area number 6)
  The discussion will focus on the topic of why we need higher education, what are the current challenges of it (commodification, public funding etc) and how do we measure the impact higher education has on our societies. The discussion takes simultaneously place in Finland, Latvia, and Estonia at the same time, therefore also compares the three systems in place in neighboring countries and their challenges, common solutions, and future development possibilities.

Happy exploring and see you soon in Paide!