ARVAMUSFESTIVAL 9.-10. AUGUST

Be part of Arvamus – The Opinion Festival

Join us at the Opinion Festival to engage in open dialogue on key societal issues. The Nordic Cooperation host panel discussions on August 9th. We look forward to seeing you in Paide, Estonia, or online!

Photographer
Priit Jõesaar

The Nordic Council of Ministers’ office in Estonia has been an enthusiastic partner to the Opinion Festival (Arvamusfestival) for already nine years, since it is a worthwhile platform on which to discuss issues of social importance, to hear a wide range of views and to pinpoint problem areas we need to work to eradicate. 

This year’s Nordic discussions will focus on larger societal issues like mental health, food systems and migration. The discussions are open for everyone who would like to discuss and tackle issues that matter to all of us. All the discussions will be livestreamed with interpretation into Estonian sign language.

Events in focus

9 Aug
Young woman looking out of window
The Evolving Society stage / online

Alone Together: Young Adults’ Loneliness

Loneliness is a significant challenge in all the Nordic and Baltic countries. In 2020 a Harvard study found that 61% of people aged 18-25 reported feeling profoundly lonely, more than any other age group. We will bring together experts, policymakers, civil society actors, and people with direct experience to address this key Nordic-Baltic issue.
9 Aug
Insight Papers_Nordic Food Systems Transformation
The Evolving Society stage / online

Are Meat(Balls) Killing the Green Transition?

The green transition is a big movement which brings many different kinds of expectations and hopes. We look into the changes needed for future food systems. What are the health, environmental, economic and social perspectives of producing food? How do we manage habits and diets and build a sustainable society without much collateral damage?

Program

Friday 9th of August

12.00 – 13.30: Alone together: Exploring Young Adults’ Loneliness

Event held in English

Panelists: 

Anni Marquard, Founder and CEO, Center for Digital Pedagogy, Denmark

Ott Oja, CEO, Estonian Mental Health and Well-Being Coalition (VATEK), Estonia

Dina Smoljakova, Creative Arts Therapist/Social worker, NGO Papaver, Estonia

Katariina Järve, Chairperson of the Board, Federation of Estonian Student Unions, Estonia

Moderator: Jonas Keiding Lindholm, Impact Director, think tank Monday Morning, Denmark

 

14.00 – 15.30: Digital Nomads and Other Superheroes of Migration

Event held in English

Panelists: 

Piret Hartman, Minister of Regional Affairs, Estonia

Jussi Jauhiainen, Professor, Turku University, Finland

Ave Lauren, Migration Policy Analyst, Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs at OECD, Estonia

Moderator: Tiit Tammaru (Professor, Tartu University, Member of Estonian Academy of Sciences. 

 

16.00 – 17.30: Breaking the Silence: Men's Mental Health Issues

Event held in English

Panelists: 

Joonas Kekkonen, Development and Education Manager at Miessakit Association, Finland

Are Saastad, General Director of Reform - a resource centre for men, Norway;

Ott Oja, CEO of Estonian Mental Health and Well-Being Coalition (VATEK), Estonia

Micaëla Gripenberg, Volunteer Coordinator and Communicator, Killar.se MÄN, Sweden

Moderator: Jevgeni Timoštšuk, Programme Coordinator of the Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Estonia

 

18.00 – 19.30: Are Meat(balls) Killing the Green Transition?

Event held in English

Speakers: 

Maija Kale, adviser at the Nordic Council of Ministers' office in Latvia

Petri-Jaan Lahtvee, co-founder of ÄIOtech, entrepreneur, Estonia

Nesli Sözer, Research Professor at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland 

Tea Danilov, CEO of Foresight Centre at the Estonian Parliament

Moderator: Madis Tilga, Green Transition Adviser at the Estonian Ministry of Climate

See the whole program here

Livestream from Arvamusfestival

All panel discussion will be livestreamed. 

Follow the events live here

Democracy Game

In this game, titled “The Labyrinth of Democracy” participants are engaged to explore the different roles we can all have in a democratic society. The labyrinth path makes us realize that we all possess varying strengths and passions. Through a series of questions, participants might discover their path toward joining a non-governmental organization, studying political science, standing for elections, or even serving on a jury. There are many roles one can engage in, in society, and this game will showcase some of them. The labyrinth is an interactive game initially created for Sweden’s centennial celebration of universal suffrage from 2019 to 2021. It has been translated into Estonian language and developed into a large-scale, interactive labyrinth of events, allowing users to choose their own path. 

The game can be played at Arvamusfestival on August 9th and 10th. During the game Deputy Mayor of Tallinn, Joosep Vimm will be there to interact with participants, and share his experiences and the importance of participating in democratic processes.

#Arvamusfestival2024
Follow the events on Instagram

Contact

Contact

Silja Elvarsdóttir

silja@nordichouse.is

+354 7729027