Members of Parliament Form Global Estonian Support Group

The aim of the new global Estonian support group formed in the Estonian parliament (Riigikogu) is to create a functioning network for the world's Estonian community at large and to connect and involve compatriots and people of Estonian heritage living abroad in various projects.

Another aim is to find new foreign markets for Estonian enterprises and connect global Estonian communities into a single, digital global network.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Holds First Virtual Forum For Global Estonians

On 13 April, the first ever virtual forum for Estonians around the world was held in Tallinn.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented its activities and plans concerning the diaspora and how global Estonians can participate in Estonia's development.

The virtual forum was organized taking into account the survey conducted last year among Estonians living abroad. 

It is the Foreign Ministry's next step in strengthening co-operation between Estonia and global Estonians.

"There are nearly 200 000 people of Estonian origin around the world and they all should feel they matter to their native land and that they have a chance to contribute to Estonia's development," Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets said.

ERR News, in conjunction with the Integration Foundation (Integratsiooni Sihtasutus), has launched a weekly Global Estonian Report, which will give a weekly window into Estonian communities and culture from around the globe.

“Teaching Estonian Children and Young People Abroad, Part 2”

The Estonian Institute is organizing a second training session in the series “Teaching Estonian children and young people abroad” on April 21, 2021 from 16:00 to 18:00 Estonian time on the Zoom platform.

The seminar is free of charge and being offered to Estonians around the world in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Research.Please register by 15:00 on April 20, Estonian time via https://tinyurl.com/2b6stecu

Olympic Medalist Andrus Veerpalu Found Guilty

President Kersti Kaljulaid is to strip veteran Estonian cross-country skier Andrus Veerpalu of his state awards, in light of a two-year ban he has received for involvement in illicit blood doping, the president's office announced April 15.

Veerpalu, 50, was awarded the Red Cross, 1st class by then-president Arnold Rüütel in 2002, the year he won Winter Olympic Gold at the Salt Lake City games, followed by the Order of the White Star, 1st class, four years later, the year he won another gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Turin.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has imposed a two-year competition ban on the former skier-turned-coach, after finding him guilty of participation in an organized doping scheme, one which also involved his son, Andreas, and several other skiers. (Pg 6)