- Language level required:
- Location: Kohtla-Järve Koolinoorte Loomemaja, Keskallee 31
- Time: 14.10.2026 kell 17:30 - 20:00
- Format: Citizen Academy
- Organizer: MTÜ Ida-Viru Noorteakadeemia
What keeps Estonia free? Estonia’s values, the Constitution and freedom of speech
This year marks 35 years since the restoration of Estonia’s independence. This is a good time to ask: what does a free country rely on? Is the constitution merely a document intended for lawyers, or is it a common agreement that protects our rights and freedoms?
On 14 October, a Citizens’ Academy meeting entitled ‘Estonian values and the constitution’ will take place in Kohtla-Järve.
We will discuss the key principles of the Estonian Constitution, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. We will also discuss why freedom of speech is one of the cornerstones of a democratic society and what role a free press plays in protecting our rights and the constitutional order.
Why must it be possible in a free society to ask uncomfortable questions, engage in public debate and criticise those in power? How has the role of the press changed in the 35 years since Estonia regained its independence? And what does freedom of expression mean in our everyday lives?
Participants in the meeting:
🔹Eduard Odinets – Chair of the Constitutional Committee (2022–2023) and the Legal Affairs Committee (2023–2024) of the Riigikogu. Eduard Odinets will participate in the meeting via Zoom
🔹Jüri Nikolajev – ERR’s Ida-Viru County correspondent, who has been reporting on life in Narva and the wider region for decades and has brought news of events in Ida-Viru County to the rest of Estonia.
The event will take the form of a joint discussion, during which participants will be able to ask questions, share their views and contribute to the discussion on the values upon which Estonian society should be based. The event will be held in Russian.
WHEN? Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 17:30–20:00
WHERE? Kohtla-Järve Schoolchildren’s Creative Centre, Keskallee 31
The session will last approximately 2.5 hours and includes a coffee break. Participation is free of charge, but places are limited and advance registration is required.
The ‘Citizens’ Academy’ programme is run by the Ida-Viru Youth Academy NGO on behalf of the Integration Foundation. The activities are funded by the European Social Fund+ project No. 2021-2027. Funding is provided under project 4.07.23-0006 ‘Activities supporting the teaching of the Estonian language and civic education’, sub-activity 3.4.4.6.2 ‘Organisation of collaborative activities and training on the topics of national defence and civic education’.
Registration: https://iseteenindus.integratsioon.ee/service/view/18007?lang=en
NB! You can register for the events through the Integration Foundation's self-service, which you can enter using an ID card, Mobile-ID or Smart-ID. Please see the user guide:https://integratsioon.ee/iseteenindus
