Experts Take on Estonian-Russian Integration Debate
Societal tolerance and youth challenges were the main topics of debate at the 15th annual Home Peace Forum, put on by the City of Tallinn at the National Library on Wednesday.
Much of the talk by experts, local and international, at the trilingual forum (English, too) was academic in nature and perhaps wasn't the most direct way of approaching the issue to an audience that was largely made up of Estonian-Russian high schoolers. But clearly it was a highly emotional and personal issue for many, as was hinted by aggressive debate, interrupting audience members, and a woman who became choked-up during a Q&A session.
“It is not by chance that tolerance is the main issue here today,” said Tallinn Mayor Edgar Savisaar in opening remarks.
Deputy Mayor Mikhail Kõlvart followed, citing statistics from a 2008 study that claim that 34 percent of Estonian youths feel fear or animosity toward Russian-speaking peers, compared with 8 percent on the flip side.
The event was split into two complementary issues: tolerance, or how well Estonians and Estonian Russians get along and the socioeconomic results; and youth employment/education challenges, in light of Estonian Russians having a tougher time finding jobs and getting through school due to the language barrier. Tallinn University professor Vitali Belobrovtsev said he was concerned that nearly all academically successful Estonian Russian students want to move abroad.
Other speakers included established critics of the issue, such as Juhan Kivirähk, a senior research fellow at the International Center for Defense Studies, as well as international experts Timofey Agarin, a lecturer in politics and ethnic conflict at Queen’s University Belfast, and Paul Downes, a lecturer and coordinator of the Educational Disadvantage Center at St Patrick’s College in Dublin.