In what ways does Estonia’s geopolitical and security situation affect our daily lives? How can I cope? What makes me feel safe? What can support me and my community? These questions were the starting point of two dialogue circles that we recently organised.
One took place at our office with people living in Estonia, coming from eight different backgrounds. The other was with students of Tallinna Pelgulinna Riigigümnaasium. The aim of these dialogues was to create a safe space for people to share their experiences, ideas and coping mechanisms.
The participants discussed many topics, for example:
- Following the news is a dilemma: I want to stay informed but not start doom-scrolling all the time.
- Social media algorithms are showing videos that we don’t want to see. How to deal with that.
- Life in Estonia still feels very safe, compared to other countries in the world.
- Finding strength in the collaboration between the Nordics, Estonia, and NATO, having faith these alliances.
- Estonia is still very small and throughout history has been strongly impacted by bigger countries. What can we do?
- You cannot engage with every conflict in the world, we also have our personal problems to deal with.
- Can we trust armies in protecting us? Many people are suffering from offence armies.
- Is it fair that in Estonia only men have to go to the army?
- Preserving mental health is a very important effective coping mechanism. How can we help each other? Sometimes we need dark humour.
These dialogues are part of the ‘How can I cope? / Kuidas ma hakkama saan?’ dialogue circle project in Estonia, coordinated by the Eesti Koostöö Kogu / Estonian Cooperation Assembly, in collaboration with Tartu Ülikool University of Tartu and Riigikantselei / Government Office of Estonia. It is co-funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Estonia.
