Virtual Forum for Global Estonians - December 5th 2025
Virtual Forum for Global Estonians – 5 December 2025, at 6 PM Estonian time
Watch Live:
Virtual Forum for Global Estonians – 5 December 2025, at 6 PM Estonian time
Watch Live:
18:00 (Estonian time, EET / UTC+2)
Moderated by Journalist Neeme Raud
The program will be conducted in Estonian with simultaneous English translation.
“Estonian Diplomacy and Estonians Worldwide: How to Cooperate in a Rapidly Changing Security Environment?”
- Marko Mihkelson Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu
- Karl Altau, Executive Director, Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) (USA)
- Marcus Kolga, Political Scientist and Disinformation Expert (Canada)
Music Performance: Maria Peterson and Eva Eensaar-Tootsen – “Sand, Sea and Thoughts” (lyrics by Ernst Enno)
“Estonians Living Abroad and Elections”
- Halliki Kreinin, Researcher (Germany/Estonia)
- Renee Meriste, President, Los Angeles Estonian Society
- Tõnis Saarts, Associate Professor of Comparative Politics, Institute of Social Sciences, Tallinn University
Video Link to Abroad – Merike Barborak (New York): Behind the Scenes What happened when FILMIST STUDIO at the New York Estonian House began producing short documentaries with young people from Estonia and the USA?
Short Film produced in New York: “Class 2010”
“Creativity and Entrepreneurship of Estonian Youth Abroad”
- Kaisa Kasekamp, President, Global Estonian Youth Network (Canada)
- Lasse Leminsky, Participant, Global Estonian Internship Program; Finalist, “Best Practice 2025” Competition (Germany)
- Liina Viies, Adviser on Global Estonian Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Video Link Abroad – Siim Säinas from Google, Singapore
Video Link Abroad – Introducing HEIA (Hello Estonians in Australia)
- Kristel Alla, Editor, HEIA (Australia)
- Kristi Barrow, Founder and Technical Lead, HEIA (Australia)
- Mark Narustrang, Chair of the Board, HEIA (Australia)
Discussion: “Newspaper, Social Media or Podcast? Communication Among Estonian Communities”
- Kristelle Michelson, Journalist and Online Editor, Vaba Eesti Sõna
- Kadri Linnas, Adviser on Global Estonian Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Silver Tambur, Founder of Estonian World and Editor-in-Chief of Trialoog
On thoughtful note, Poet, singer, and songwriter Kristiina Ehin reflects on the Estonian language and identity.
Music Performance: Maria Peterson and Eva Eensaar-Tootsen – “Sleep, Sleep, Great and Pure Stream” (lyrics by Jaan Kaplinski)
