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The President of the Republic established an academic council
26.04.2002


President Arnold Rüütel yesterday, late in the evening, signed an executive order establishing President's Academic Council.

As an advisory body to the President of the Republic, the Academic Council analyses, in co-operation with other bodies already created or to be created at the institution of the President, key problems of the development of society according to the basic development factors. As a result, recommendations for well-balanced development and for reaching a possible social agreement will be worked out.

President Rüütel has in several of his public addresses pointed out the need for a dialog within our society. The Head of State also has noted that scientists, opinion-formers and representatives of non-governmental organisations have been involved into making vital decisions on Estonian life to an insufficient degree.

On President's suggestion, to the membership of the new Academic Council belong the Academicians: Jüri Engelbrecht, President of the Academy of Sciences; Ene Ergma, Vice-President of the Academy of Sciences; Ülo Jaaksoo, Professor at the Tallinn Technical University; Ain-Elmar Kaasik, Emeritus Professor of the Tartu University; Endel Lippmaa, Head of the Department for Astronomy and Physics of the Academy of Sciences; and Mihkel Veidermaa, Secretary-General of the Academy of Sciences. Members in the council are also the Rectors: of the Tartu University, Academician Jaak Aaviksoo; of the Estonian Agricultural University, Professor Henn Elmet; of the Tallinn Pedagogical University, Professor Mati Heidmets; of the Tallinn Techical University, Professor Andres Keevallik; of the Estonian Academy of Arts, Professor Ando Keskküla; and of the Estonian Academy of Music, Professor Peep Lassmann.

In addition, the Head of State has invited to his Academic Council the following scientists and opinion-formers: Assistant Professor Kaido Jaanson, holder of the Chair of International Relations at the Tartu University; Professor Jüri Kann, Director of the Institute of Chemistry at the Tallinn Technical University; writer Jaan Kaplinski; Dr. Kalev Katus, Director of the Estonian Inter-University Centre for Demographic Studies; Professor Kalle Merusk, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the Tartu University; Professor Jaan-Mati Punning, Director of the Institute of Ecology at the Tallinn Pedagogical University; Professor Eduard Raska, Institute of Law; Professor Jüri Sepp, Dean of the Faculty of Economy at the Tartu University; Dr. Mati Sepp, Senior Researcher at the Estonian Research Institute of Agriculture; Dr. Urmas Sutrop, Director of the Institute of the Estonian Language; Professor Hagi Šein, Dean of the Media Department at the Concordia University; and Professor Mikk Titma, Department of Sociology and Social Policy at the Tartu University.

While appointing the Members of the Academic Council President Arnold Rüütel emphasized that his intention was not to form an alternative body to committees and councils working for the Riigikogu and the Government of the Republic or for the ministries. Instead of it, the council will offer chances to have a say in thinking and speaking about vital issues for those of our well-known countrymen, who do not participate in the everyday politics and whose opinions, thus, have not attracted attention, but who with their daily work contribute to shaping the face and image of Estonia.

The Head of State stressed that Estonian society is facing problems, which need a broad-based agreement incorporating whole society to be solved. "Therefore, we need alongside the co-operation at the level of the Parliament and Government a dialogue also with those, who are engaged in top-level scientific work, shape directly attitudes of our young intellectuals, or represent through their organisations the broader public," the President said.

In accordance with its standing orders, the Academic Council may form commissions and working groups, headed by Members of the Academic Council, to analyse more efficiently subjects of different areas of life.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, April 26, 2002


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