Press Release
22 March 2010
Estonian Human Development Report 2009: we must overcome the current state of social stagnation. Estonia needs more positive mentality and self-confidence in the coming decade.
Today, 22 March, the Estonian Cooperation Assembly will introduce the new Estonian Human Development Report (EHDR 2009). EHDR 2009 focuses on our human environment and the quality of society. According to the researchers who prepared the report, the negative migration balance of most Estonian regions provides a troubling reflection of the human and work environment in the given regions. We must focus our attention on the great disparities arising from the environment and the stagnation evident in the case of social development, and attempt to change these trends.
“The human development problems exacerbated by the economic crisis pose a serious challenge to Estonia’s ability to critically assess the development path it has been on so far and to efficiently rectify the situation where necessary,” said Marju Lauristin, Professor at the University of Tartu and Editor-in-Chief of EHDR 2009. “We have to define which path enables Estonia to maximise its potential for developing its human assets and ensuring its social and cultural sustainability even in dire economic and political straits. Let’s discuss which welfare model is suitable for Estonia and will ensure a high quality of life for our population.”
Peep Mühls, CEO of the Estonian Cooperation Assembly, says that, in a way, the Estonian Human Development Report 2009 marks the end of the first decade of the 21st century. “Estonia has developed at an astonishing rate, being driven primarily by international development goals related to ensuring security in terms of economic affairs and foreign policy. During the past decade, Estonia has become a member of the European Union and NATO, the Schengen Area, and the World Trade Organization. Estonia is poised to join the OECD, and a decision will also be made soon regarding Estonia’s accession to the euro zone – an achievement that probably everyone in Estonia has exerted themselves in 2009. Is it time perhaps to focus on our domestic objectives to allow us to ensure Estonia’s sustainable development? Whether or not we embark on this road is a question of political choices and, above all, of the mentality and attitudes that prevail in society.”
In the new Human Development Report, prominent scholars assess the state of our society, this time focusing on our human environment and the quality of society. The changes in the quality of life in Estonia are, once again, analysed in both the global and local contexts. The Report predicts the impact of the crisis on human development indicators and examines our regional development, while also offering solutions for recovery from the economic crisis. The new Human Development Report analyses the changes in the work life and values of Estonia’s population, which indicate that survival values are being replaced by self-expression values in our society. Unlike previous reports, EHDR 2009 contains analyses of the role of the natural environment in human development and the regional differences and gender-based stereotypes that characterise the latter.
The 36 editors and authors of the six substantial chapters of EHDR 2009 include renowned Estonian social scientists and economists, as well as experts from the University of Tartu, Tallinn University, Estonian Institute for Future Studies, Estonian Institute for Sustainable Development, PRAXIS Center for Policy Studies, Geomedia Consultation and Training Centre, Estonian Development Fund, and Saar Poll. A live broadcast of the EHDR presentation in the large hall of the National Library will also be available on the Internet at www.kogu.ee
The United Nations has been issuing global Human Development Reports since 1990. Similar reports have been prepared in Estonia since 1995. Today, human development reports, which deal with the most pressing concerns and their solutions from the standpoint of the world as well as the country in question, are among the most cited development documents in the world.
The Estonian Cooperation Assembly (ECA, www.kogu.ee) is a cooperation network of non-governmental organisations interested in Estonia’s long-term development. The goals of the ECA are to share and coordinate the views of participating organisations and, on this basis, to produce assessments and proposals regarding issues that are central to the future of the country. In February 2008, ECA adopted a programme document entitled Harta 2008 (Charter 2008). The Charter is set to be renewed every three years and focuses on four key areas of Estonian development – population and public health, education, the labour force, and ethnic relations. The signatories of the Charter formulate specific Charter Proposals for the institutions of representational democracy responsible for the development of the corresponding fields of activity, and for the public. To date, 73 organisations have joined the Charter Process. The ECA and the Charter Process do not compete with other civil initiatives and are instead interested in mutual cooperation. The outputs of the ECA’s activities include the Charter Proposals and the Estonian Human Development Report, which examines Estonia’s development in an international context.
For more information, please contact:
Peep Mühls
CEO, Estonian Cooperation Assembly
Tel: +372 6 664 972
Press Release
17 March 2008
The newly published Estonian Human Development Report 2007 reveals that in order to be ranked among the most successful countries in Europe it will have to contribute more to science and partnerships and set itself new objectives, as the motor currently driving development is beginning to show signs of age.
“The human development report reflects our lives and shows us what our strengths and weaknesses are,” said Tallinn University Professor Mati Heidmets, the editor-in-chief of the report. “It is neither good nor bad per se, but designed to help us. On the one hand it shows us that the development resources that have carried us forward in our transition period are starting to run low, while on the other hand it highlights the sectors of the economy in which Estonia should be contributing more, the kind of education and the kind of structure within education that will support the country’s advancement, how to overcome mutual fears and how to involve non-Estonians more in building our future. Estonia is mature enough now to tackle longer-term issues of self-development, and to make the shaping of our society and future a cognisant, resolute and valued process.”
Tallinn Technical University philosophy Professor Ülo Kaevats, who reviewed the report, says it shows that new goals which focus on science and partnerships – without forgetting constructive self-criticism – will drive Estonia forward. “The growth in economic well-being we have experienced so far has not led to the change we had hoped for in the development of society which would see it becoming more European and with a greater appreciation for the quality of people’s lives. The report makes a valuable and reliable contribution to public dialogue, which is something the country needs if it is to look ahead.”
Peep Mühls, chairman of the board of the Estonian Cooperation Assembly, says that the publication of the human development report supports the goal of Estonia becoming one of the most successful countries in the European Union by the 100th anniversary of its independence in terms of both wealth and indicators related to the health and strength of its society. At present the country is among the lowest ranked member states of the EU for quality of life, and it has dropped to 44th in the United Nations human development ranking, primarily due to its poor results in health and life expectancy. “The report is not going to make anyone live a longer or healthier life,” Mühls said, “but it will help us build up new social values that focus on health, education, work and quality of life. We have to work together to this end, with different opinions being needed and very welcome. Cooperation is an indication of developments in participatory democracy, and an emphasis on difference an attribute of political competition.”
The United Nations has been issuing its global human development report since 1990, while Estonia has been publishing its own since 1995. They have since become one of the most cited development documents in the world, identifying key global and national issues and how they should be resolved.
The Estonian Human Development Report 2007 comprises four chapters. The first analyses the country’s position in the human development rankings, with the component receiving the most comprehensive examination being education. The second chapter is dedicated to the promotion of Estonia’s democracy and civic society, while the third looks at the role and prospects of non-Estonians as part of that society. The fourth and final chapter examines the future of Estonia’s economic development, looking at the ability of the structure of the economy to support the country becoming one of the most successful in Europe.
The Estonian Cooperation Assembly www.kogu.ee is a cooperation network of non-governmental organisations interested in Estonia’s long-term development whose goals are to share and coordinate the views of these organisations and on this basis to produce assessments and proposals regarding issues that are central to the future of the country. In February this year it adopted a programme document – Harta 2008 – which will be renewed every three years and focus on four key areas in the country’s development: people and health, education, the labour force and international relations. On this basis the charter will set out specific Charter Proposals for the representative democratic institutions responsible for advancements in the field in question and for the public. More than 60 organisations are currently involved in the charter process. Neither the Estonian Cooperation Assembly nor the charter process are in competition with any civic initiative, but rather invite them to cooperate. The activities of the assembly are expressed in its Charter Proposals and the Estonian Human Development Report, which look at the nation’s development from an international perspective.
For further information please contact:
Mati Heidmets, Professor, Tallinn University
Ülo Kaevats, Professor, Tallinn Technical University
Peep Mühls, Chairman of the Executive Board, Estonian Cooperation Assembly
+372 666 4972
