Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to young global Estonians: "You are part of us"

Nearly 50 young people of Estonian heritage from more than 20 countries spent the past week in Estonia, taking part in the first-ever Global Estonian Youth Ambassadors Summer School, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with Vabamu. The summer school aimed to strengthen participants' ties with Estonia and introduce them to contemporary Estonia, its society and the opportunities it offers

According to the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jonatan Vseviov, Estonia's strength also lies in the people who live abroad but continue to feel connected to Estonia and the values it stands for."You are part of us – carriers of our message and those who amplify it," Vseviov said in a video message to the participants. He stressed that the central objective of Estonia's foreign policy is to safeguard the country's freedom, which depends on a rules-based international order. "I ask you, above all, to stand up for freedom. To stand up for a world that enables small nations to remain free." He added that it is vital for people around the world to understand the importance of these values and help uphold them within their own communities.

According to Marin Mõttus, Director General of the Department for Diaspora and Cultural Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the impact of the summer school extends far beyond a single week spent in Estonia. "For many participants, this was their first visit to Estonia or their first opportunity to meet other young Estonians from around the world. It is through experiences like these that lifelong friendships and a lasting sense of belonging are formed. Wherever they choose to live or work in the future, they will help raise Estonia's profile, build new partnerships and keep Estonia visible around the world," said Mõttus.

Throughout the programme, participants gained a broad understanding of contemporary Estonia, including its system of governance, entrepreneurship, innovation, culture, and foreign and security policy. Alongside meetings with leaders from a wide range of fields, they visited public institutions, businesses and cultural sites across Estonia. The summer school concluded with a visit to Seto Kingdom Day, where participants experienced one of Estonia's most distinctive cultural traditions.

The Global Estonian Youth Ambassadors Summer School is part of the Global Estonians Action Plan for 2026–2029. An estimated 200,000 people of Estonian heritage live outside Estonia, and maintaining strong ties with them helps keep the Estonian language and culture vibrant while expanding Estonia's international reach through future generations.

Watch Secretary General Jonatan Vseviov's video message. 

Browse the summer school photo gallery.