On 14–15 November 2024, the integration conference ‘Cultural diversity – an obstacle or an opportunity in shaping a cohesive society?’ brought together experts and opinion leaders from across the world. Two productive days offered discussions about information and value space, reasons for radicalisation in democratic countries, presidential elections in the US, and the future of Europe. Speakers of the integration conference proposed a vision for a better tomorrow, describing both challenges as well as solutions to the problems of today.

The conference was opened by Heidy Purga, Minister for Culture, and Dmitri Moskovtsev, Director of the Integration Foundation. George P. Kent, Ambassador of the United States of America to Estonia, also passed along his greetings. On the first day of the conference, everyone interested in the topic could listen to the discussions via live webcast. The international conference took place in English, but everyone who wanted could listen to the conference in Estonian or Russian.

The first discussion of the first day focused on the role of cultural diversity in a democratic society from the aspects of private sector, security, functioning in times of crisis as well as the rights of minorities, comparing the experiences of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Following this, JJ Green, a security correspondent of a leading radio station in Washington, the capital city of the US, shared his observations on security, the impact of misinformation on societal cohesion, and the situation in the US after the presidential elections.

You could also listen to the debate of Estonian parliamentary parties on current issues related to diversity and an overview of the diversity of Estonian population and migration by Statistics Estonia. Professor Marju Lauristin shared her observations on the dimensions of integration and commented on current topics and political decisions from the point of view of cohesion in the society, highlighting several risk areas requiring attention. The day ended with a meaningful debate on the diversity of the information and value space from the point of view of a coherent society, paying particular attention to the spread of misinformation and issues it causes.

On the second day of the conference, the so-called Chatham House rule was in force, which means that you needed to be present to participate in the conference and the thoughts expressed could later only be disclosed in general terms without reference to a specific speaker or person expressing the opinion. This created a cosy atmosphere full of trust and gave the speakers confidence to express their opinions clearly on even the most critical subjects. On the second day, experts from the US, Sweden, Denmark, and Estonia discussed topics related to social cohesion, migration, radicalisation as well as elections that have taken place and will take place in Europe and the US. They discussed the possible outcomes in the near future in the light of the trends of the last few years. In addition, three practical workshops took place, focusing on grassroots activism, opportunities offered by the AI to monitor media and predict the development of societal processes, and competence in diversity as a key to organisational development.

Some of the thoughts expressed at the conference were as follows:

• It is not possible to integrate someone somewhere by force. As a society, it is possible to create conditions for those who want to integrate. To build an open society and support cultural diversity, we must accept (new) arrivals as if at home: ‘Welcome to our home! Here, it is customary...’

• Diversity is more than nationality – it is also the gender, social status, religious background, etc. of a person. Our subjective evaluations and stereotypes of various persons and situations are largely based on our personal experiences. It is not wrong, but we must keep that in mind, including in organisational culture.

• Radicalisation is a gradual process affected by various factors, such as being exposed to humiliation and violence, belonging in a marginalised group, big shifts in personal life (migration, unemployment, becoming a university student, etc.). 99% of radicalised people never become violent in real life, but the remaining 1% can commit horrible acts that impact the entire society.

• Discussing migration and (new) arrivals as if everything were out of control is often one of the reasons causing tensions in the society. These topics should be discussed openly and calmly, explaining the situation and prospects – this helps maintain a sense of security and safety.

• Today, life itself is under attack by disinformation. It destroys life like broken glass. We often cannot see the broken shards that have potentially landed quite far. They cause damage – therefore, we need to find them and remove them. Disinformation causes chaos, confusion, distrust, and violence.

• AI is an excellent tool for understanding the meaning, causes, links, and patterns of societal processes in addition to describing them. It is also helpful in predicting future events based on gathered information. For example, it is possible to model the impact of raising taxes.

• To keep a firm course of democracy on a sea of multitude of views and beliefs, we need excellent navigation systems and skills. This means a critical mind, cooperation, and comprehension of our basic values and personal freedoms, civil rights, and obligations.

• Let us focus on values that are always around us but which we often fail to notice – cultural diversity in the meaning of the cultural diversity of communities and nationalities.

• We need to begin combating disinformation by teaching media literacy to our children. Children are flexible, open-minded like small sponges that absorb information, and not afraid to experiment. For them, it is a lot easier to learn to navigate in a world full of information.

• Integration does not depend on a document in the pocket; instead, it is a process of establishing trust.

• Unity and diversity must be in balance. People are not ants who find unity, absolute structure, and lack of individuality natural – diversity is an inseparable part of human society, guaranteeing creativity, development, and success. As stated by Edward O. Wilson, a sociologist from the University of Harvard, when asked for his opinion on the dream of a Communist utopia: ‘Great idea. Wrong species.’

• Having or not having citizenship does not correlate with identity or preparedness for defence. After the restoration of Estonian independence, citizenship policy was extremely formal, people became citizens for pragmatic reasons, and as a result, passport in the pocket is not an indication of the actual mindset today.

• We are not divided by our differences, but by our inability to recognise, accept, and celebrate these differences.

Starting from today, 20 November, the exhibition ‘Inclusion or Isolation? Multi-ethnic Estonia’, dedicated to the Year of Cultural Diversity by the Estonian History Museum and the Integration Foundation, is open to the staff and visitors of the Riigikogu.

When opening the exhibition, Lauri Hussar, the President of the Riigikogu, stated that exhibitions help look into the future. "Different people and rich cultures have been characteristic of Estonia throughout the ages. They are our true common wealth - different knowledge, skills, experiences and customs that we apply together for the good of Estonia,” said Lauri Hussar.

The exhibition is on display in the Riigikogu as part of the events of the Year of Cultural Diversity. The thematic year announced by the Ministry of Culture and led by the Integration Foundation carries an important message – the culture of all nationalities living here is the culture of Estonia.

According to Dmitri Moskovtsev, Director of the Integration Foundation, the exhibition is relevant for all of us. ‘The central theme is multi-ethnic Estonia, or the diversity of our communities and nationalities. This year is dedicated to the aforementioned value. Estonia has a history of appreciating it, setting an example to the rest of Europe as early as last century,’ stated Dmitri Moskovtsev.

The exhibition looks back on 1925 when the Riigikogu of the time put discussions over the governance of a multi-ethnic state into practice and was the only one in Europe to adopt a law on cultural autonomy.

According to Jaanus Rohumaa, the Head of the History Museum, this project is an example of a wonderful cooperation between cultural institutions. ‘The message of this exhibition reaches the right people by being on display in the Riigikogu. They are responsible for the future development of Estonia, including in the areas related to supporting and fostering cultural diversity,’ said Jaanus Rohumaa.

The exhibition is based on the namesake exhibition of the Estonian History Museum that covers the previous century even more thoroughly and is open in Maarjamäe Palace until March of next year.

The exhibition opened in the Riigikogu is available there until January of next year. After this, we plan to provide opportunities to visit this exhibition across Estonia.

Overview of history:

The great powers of Europe brought the impotence of multinational empires in organising the lives of minorities and the resulting political instability from the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century. In search of solutions, they started theoretical discussions about giving nations rights and freedoms, specifically through cultural activities. World War I made its corrections and shattered large empires into smaller nation states where other nationalities co-existed with the dominant ethnic groups. The Republic of Estonia was one these and the only one to turn theory into practice by choosing the path of modern democracy. In 1925, Estonia adopted the Cultural Autonomy Law, giving minorities the right to organise their own cultural spaces and provide education in their native languages. The long-debated law was the ‘trademark of Estonia’ of its time. It came with its drawbacks but also promoted a diverse cultural life and increased trust in the state.

Pictures of the event can be found here.

Exhibition team:

Curators: Timo Aava (University of Yale), Krista Sarv (Estonian History Museum)

Overview of the cultural diversity: Professor Ene-Margit Tiit and the team of the Cultural Diversity Year

Graphic design: Kristina Tort (Estonian History Museum)

Project manager: Marje Jürgenson (Estonian History Museum)

Technical project manager: Silver Simmer (Estonian History Museum)

Editor: Hille Saluäär

Printing: Digitrükk OÜ

Olga from Ukraine lives and works in Tallinn from March 2022 and tells us about her Estonian language studies. Olga is a member of Estonian Society in Ukraine.

Can you tell us about yourself? Who are you and where do you come from?

My name is Olga Sabanska, and I’m from Kyiv, Ukraine. Since March 2022, I’ve been living in Estonia as a refugee. I have a special connection with Estonia because Estonia is my second home country - my mother, grandmother and great-grandfather lived here, which gives me a mixed heritage.

What was your life like in Ukraine before the war?

Before the war, I was studying for my master's degree at the University of Transport and Economics. I had extensive work experience in international road logistics, specifically with the Association of International Road Haulers in Ukraine.

What was the process like when you came to Estonia? Did you find a job easily?

The adaptation process was quite easy initially. I had Estonian friends who helped me find work. I started with cleaning jobs as a temporary measure, and I was fortunate to get involved in a European project related to electronic government. After that, I worked with the International Organization for Migration, where I assist Ukrainian refugees.

How has your experience been finding work in your field?

Finding a job in logistics here has been challenging. The Estonian economy requires fluency in Estonian, usually at a B2 to C1 level, while I’m currently at A2 and progressing to B1. This language barrier has made it difficult to secure a position in my field.

Can you share your experience with learning the Estonian language? What challenges have you faced?

Learning Estonian has been difficult, even with some background knowledge. It requires daily practice, and I’ve noticed that in Tallinn, many people prefer speaking Russian, which reduces my opportunities to practice Estonian. I find it easier to learn in regions with fewer Russian speakers.

How have the local Estonian and Russian-speaking communities welcomed you?

Overall, I’ve received a positive welcome from the local Estonians. However, interactions with Russian speakers can vary. Estonians generally feel more neutral about speaking Russian with Ukrainians compared to how they might feel about Russians, given the current geopolitical situation.

Have you taken any extra steps to practice Estonian outside of formal courses?

Yes, I’ve looked for language cafes and gatherings, but people are quite busy, and the focus is often on immediate results. Estonians often prefer to practice their Russian with me, which makes it harder to immerse myself in Estonian.

What advice do you have for other Ukrainian refugees in Estonia regarding language learning and integration?

I recommend learning basic vocabulary to help with everyday communication. It’s important to aim for A2 or B1 levels, especially for motivation to pass language exams. I also suggest that Estonian foundations consider offering B2 courses, as many of us want to improve our Estonian to facilitate better integration and potential future collaborations.

Is there anything else you’d like to add before we wrap up?

I hope that the connection between the Estonian and Ukrainian communities strengthens during this difficult time. It’s important to support each other and foster positive interactions.

Thank you, Olga! We appreciate you sharing your experiences with us.

The Settle in Estonia Programme is a free educational programme provided by the Estonian state which is intended to help the foreigners who have arrived in Estonia to adapt and become accustomed to local life more easily. We offer courses for people who have come to live or study in Estonia and have lived here for less than 5 years. For example, war refugees to whom Estonia offers international or temporary protection, as well as people who have come to Estonia to work or do business here or relocate with their family member. The adaptation program The Settle in Estonia Programme is free for participants. We offer language training and other courses to help you cope with everyday life in Estonia. Read more and register: https://integratsioon.ee/en/kohanemine. The adaptation programme is co-funded by the European Union and the state budget.