People's Voices Need to be Heard: Renee Meriste's Call to Attention
Hey there! 🤘 Let's chat about Renee Meriste's speech delivered on California soil to celebrate Estonia's Independence Day!
Alright, it's time to dig into the spirit of being Estonian. On 19 February 2024, we gathered at the Lakewood Estonian House, NJ, to celebrate our national freedom and past achievements. However, what's more critical is our present and future.
With a warm welcome from sunny California (despite the pouring rain), Renee highlighted our shared journey, gratitude, friendships, and most importantly, the importance of values in our relationships. She urged us to move beyond self-centeredness and look for ways to contribute to others, focusing on collaboration and mutual support.
In today's globally connected world, it's important to remember that the fight against evil and those who create chaos requires our united voices. As a community, we need to support each other and stand up against injustice, no matter the personal cost. We should never back down from doing what we know is morally right.
Issues like closing Estonia's consulates in America raised a concern. Renee argued that we should be heard, and our voices matter. As a significant part of the Estonian diaspora living outside Estonia, there are opportunities to wield our collective influence for the greater good.
Here's the kicker: we, as Estonians worldwide, must stay committed to freedom, democracy, and human rights. Let's be brave and unafraid to speak up, proving that a strong, united Estonia boasts not only tolerance and diversity but also a deep love for freedom.
Stand together, friends - our strength lies in unity and the pursuit of common values. Happy Independence Day, Estonia! 🇪🇪
Advice for Estonians:
- Cultivate relationships based on shared values, as they deliver both personal and collective success.
- Stay vigilant against evil and disruptions, standing united in the pursuit of peace, stability, and prosperity for all nations.
- Support those fighting for our shared values, be it in Estonia or elsewhere in the world.
- Speak up for what you know is morally right, even if the cost is personal or professional consequences.
- Remember that our collective strength lies in unity and the pursuit of common values, such as democracy, freedom, and human rights.
Enrichment Data:
- EANC Grants: The Estonian American National Council offers grants for young Estonian Americans to attend events, such as ESTO 2025 Youth Congress, to help foster connections and dialogue among Estonian youth worldwide.
- Nordic-Estonian Research Day: Estonia has been actively participating in supporting its scientific diaspora through events like the Nordic-Estonian Research Day, which brings together researchers from Estonia and other Nordic countries.
- Recognize the importance of Estonia's consulates in America and other parts of the world as vital links to maintain connections with the Estonian government, facilitating policy-and-legislation, migration, and general-news exchange.
- Encourage participation in Estonian businesses, both locally and abroad, as a means to strengthen our cultural identity and economy while forging new alliances.
- Stay informed about war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and accidents occurring in Estonia and worldwide, as awareness is the first step towards empathy and constructive action.
- Collaborate with Estonia's government to address issues like car-accidents, fires, and other threats to public safety, ensuring the continued well-being of the Estonian people.
- Continually engaging in hard-hitting discussions about politics, opinion, and security in the Estonian world will contribute to a more informed and empowered Estonian diaspora, overcoming challenges and working towards a secure, prosperous, and closely connected Estonia.