Presentations were delivered by Academician Jüri Engelbrecht and the scholar Rein Raud. Among the guests, there was also Tõnis Lukas, the Minister of Education.

Academician Engelbrecht delineated the scheme of the development of science in the world and in Estonia in recent years, and mentioned also the limits of the potential of science. Speaking of the financing of science, Engelbrecht admitted that in Estonia, the financing capacities of research and development are small both absolutely and relatively. As the data indicated, the state's part in financing was approximately equal in all countries. Yet the well-developed industrial countries surpass the others considerably by the sums allocated to research and development by private industry.

In brief, Academician Engelbrecht considered it necessary to increase the efficiency of the work of the Research and Development Council working by the Prime Minister. If necessary, a new basis should be established for its functioning.

Rein Raud delved into the discourse of the legitimacy of Estonia. In brief, the latter means searching an answer to the question -- what is necessary for Estonians to feel the need to be nothing else than Estonians and live nowhere but in Estonia. The presentation emphasised that actions proceeding from strictly factional considerations undermine the legitimacy of Estonia for Estonians.

The presentations were followed by a vivid discussion. The Minister of Education Lukas conceded that in Estonia, the percentage of the financing of higher education from the GDP is comparable to that of the states who set an example to us, although the internal distribution scheme needs some correction. Also the support to science is allocated through universities, the breeding ground of our future scientists. Lukas also mentioned the comparatively big significance of the humanities in Estonia, which according to Rein Raud is important for Estonia, as it helps to preserve our identity.

As the last item, the Bank of Estonia's reply to the letter of Bank of Estonia was discussed. The Bank of Estonia claimed that due to changed banking traditions, Estonia could not copy the actions of the Bank of Finland in creating the SITRA. Neither does the Bank of Estonia have the necessary resources. The Bank of Estonia thinks that the Government should have a central role in creating the respective financing scheme. At the same time, the Bank of Estonia is fully prepared to use its intellectual potential in the search for the best ways of development for Estonia.

The next meeting of the President's Academic Council is going to take place on May 11. The theme will still be ''Estonia in the Year 2015''. The demographical bearings in Estonia in the light of the common labour market of Europe will be discussed.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, February 17, 2000

back | archive of press releases | main page