Major Global Estonian Assembly Held in Tallinn
Why should an Estonian living either in Estonia or abroad care that, for the fifth year now, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been responsible for global Estonian affairs, and that Minister Margus Tsahkna has described it as a direction of growing importance in foreign policy?
Many countries pursue diaspora policies – Estonia does too, and in recent years increasingly consciously. For a small state, this is particularly important: our numbers are too small to overlook a single person. At the beginning of this year, 128,371 Estonian citizens were registered in the population register as living abroad, but the actual number is much higher, as there are people around the world who consider themselves Estonian even without Estonian citizenship. This is an important force with great potential.
On 10 April, the Global Estonian Cooperation Commission (ÜEKK) and the plenary of the Estonian World Council (ÜEKN) gathered in the House of the Estonian Knighthood in Tallinn. The Cooperation Commission was created so that Estonian diaspora organisations and Estonian state institutions could meet (ideally face to face), exchange ideas and discuss cooperation. There are many Estonian organisations around the world, most of which are grouped under umbrella organisations in their respective countries. Anyone interested can explore them on the Global Estonian website. These umbrella organisations, in turn, belong to the Estonian World Council (ÜEKN), which was established in the United States in 1954. Most long-standing diaspora organisations were founded after the Second World War in the 1950s, when it became clear that exile would be long-term. In addition to these historical organisations, representatives of newer associations were also present in Tallinn, particularly from countries where Estonians have settled more recently.
In the first half of the day, a meeting of the Global Estonian Cooperation Commission (ÜEKK) took place, followed by the plenary of the Estonian World Council. For this reason, the event on 10 April can be described as a “double assembly” of global Estonians. The day was opened online by Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna, who was in Yerevan opening Estonia’s new embassy. In his opening remarks, he stressed that it is very important for Estonia that every Estonian living abroad feels part of Estonia and knows that they are always welcome to return.
Participants came from the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Finland, Sweden, Norway, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, and also online from Russia and Ukraine. Among them were highly experienced representatives of organisations, but for the first time there were also 11 youth delegates, with at least one from each country.
During the first half of the day, discussions focused, under the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the new Global Estonian Action Plan for 2026–2029. In the second half, led by the Estonian World Council, the focus was on how the state and the diaspora could cooperate in a more structured way, including in times of crisis. Estonia’s defence and crisis communication were discussed by Kaimo Kuusk, Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence, and Keaty Siivelt from the Government Office. The discussion was lively, and in conclusion Kuusk emphasised that the most important things are calmness and confidence, and that in complex situations everyone should focus on carrying out their everyday tasks as effectively as possible. It was also noted that Estonia benefits when Estonian communities abroad, in addition to embassies, have access to the media in their host countries.
Marin Mõttus highlighted, in planning and implementing activities, a principle that also serves as the motto of the 2026–2029 action plan: let us be global citizens, but remain Estonians. Sirle Sööt stressed that Estonians abroad are an important part of our national capacity. Their knowledge, contacts and willingness to contribute to Estonia’s development deserve to be systematically included, including in crisis preparedness.
Among those present was diaspora bishop Ove Sander, responsible for Estonian Lutheran congregations worldwide. Also at the table was Ellen Valter, who is leading the construction of the Toronto Estonian Centre (KESKUS), which will be completed this year and opened with a grand opening on 20 August. Kaisa Kasekamp, head of the Global Estonian Youth Network, also spoke repeatedly, working together with other young people to ensure that being Estonian is seen as “cool” among as many young Estonians abroad as possible and in as many countries as possible. As a result of this work, a youth organisation with the fitting name KENA has been established in Canada, led by Katariina Jaenes.
As Estonia now has a beautiful representative building on Toompea – the House of the Estonian Knighthood – the meeting took place there. The venue was also fitting because the Ministry of Foreign Affairs operated there for 20 years before the Second World War. The meeting was held in the Statehood Hall, where copies of key historical documents, including the 1940 Sumner Welles Declaration and the 1918 Manifesto to the Peoples of Estonia, are displayed – a reminder of pivotal moments in our statehood. The setting added atmosphere to the discussions. At times, however, it seemed that the elegant surroundings softened critical remarks, and participants instead enjoyed the opportunity to be together in person, as such a large gathering in this format had not taken place before.
What stood out during the day? There were many engaging discussions and concrete proposals. For example, teenagers should be reached through platforms such as TikTok or other channels suitable for them; artificial intelligence should be used for translation; more Estonians abroad should participate in Riigikogu elections; and the 82 Estonian schools worldwide, together with teachers and parents, form a network with considerable potential. More broadly, the development of cooperation formats and networks between the state and diaspora communities is important.
Overall, it can be said that Estonians abroad wish to remain connected to Estonia, to contribute to shaping its future and to play a role in its defence in both peaceful and more challenging times. At the same time, Estonia needs its diaspora – to promote the country, to build supportive networks, and to preserve the Estonian language and culture abroad. The benefits and potential are mutual.
One of the most important takeaways was that young people of Estonian background should be encouraged to come and discover Estonia, and potentially to study or work here for longer periods. For example, the Global Estonian Youth Envoy Summer School will take place for the first time this year, alongside several other camps that are still open for applications. It is also important that a new generation grows within diaspora umbrella organisations alongside experienced members, continuing to carry forward Estonian identity – because it is engaging and makes life more interesting.
Kadri Linnas
Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Adviser for the Diaspora
