Inquiry Regarding the Estonian Academy of Arts' International Cooperation (no 677)
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
Date: 2025-02-17 17:11
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 11
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 14m
AI Summaries: 11/11 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The agenda item concerned the inquiry by Member of the Riigikogu Riina Solman regarding the Estonian Academy of Arts' (EKA) international cooperation with Israel. The inquiry was prompted by the then-rector of EKA, Mart Kalm's decision to terminate bilateral cooperation with Israeli universities and to cancel a visiting lecturer’s masterclass from Israel on political grounds. Solman emphasized that the topic remains relevant, citing an article by an EKA doctoral student in "Sirbis" which described "selective humanity" and the persistence of anti-Jewish sentiments within the academy. Solman asked the minister to retroactively comment on Kalm's decision and to ensure that anti-Semitic sentiments are prevented at EKA, as the Jewish community feels unsafe.
The Minister of Education and Science, Kristina Kallas, responded, emphasizing the autonomy of universities in choosing international cooperation partners. The Minister confirmed that the Republic of Estonia has a valid cooperation agreement with Israel and that she had requested the EKA council to review Kalm's decision. Kallas stressed the importance of academic freedom and a safe debating environment. EKA has assured the ministry that written complaints about threats have not been received by the ethics commission. Kallas declined Solman’s proposal to impose political positions on rectors (e.g., condemning Hamas attacks) but agreed to Vadim Belobrovtsev’s proposal to meet with rectors more broadly to discuss preventing the spread of antisemitism in Estonian educational institutions.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made.
Most Active Speaker
Riigikogu member Riina Solman, who initiated the inquiry and led the debate on EKA's decisions and the safety of the Jewish community. (Better)
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The parliamentary inquiry submitted on 18 December last year by Riina Solman, a member of the Riigikogu, regarding the Estonian Academy of Arts' international cooperation, will be presented at the Riigikogu's speaking desk.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman addresses in the parliamentary inquiry the decisions taken at the Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA) and the cancellation of a master class by a visiting lecturer from Israel, emphasizes the danger of antisemitism and the insecurity of the Jewish community, and asks the minister to provide a comment and an explanation of the EKA situation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanked and invited the Minister of Education and Science Kristina Kallas to answer the Riigikogu's oral question.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Kallas confirmed that Estonian universities cooperate with Israeli universities autonomously, and that this cooperation is ongoing, secure, and scientifically successful.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks the minister, states that there are questions, and the interpellator Riina Solman presents her question first.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman calls on people to ask the rector candidates why they have not publicly condemned Hamas' attacks, and emphasizes raising students' awareness of the impact of ethical questions and the events of October 7.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Education and Science Minister Kristina Kallas stressed the preservation of academic freedom and university autonomy, noting that the minister must not push rectors to take political positions, and the debate must be safe, because insecurity, such as for Jewish-origin students or faculty, is a serious problem.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks and invites Vadim Belobrovtsev to speak.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev expressed concern about the possible spread of antisemitism in universities and about the role of autonomy, and called on the minister to meet with the rectors and university boards to discuss the problem clearly and to prevent deterioration in the future.
Haridus- ja teadusminister Kristina Kallas
AI Summary
Education and Science Minister Kristina Kallas emphasizes that the growth and spread of antisemitism worldwide is extremely troubling, and she would like to proactively discuss this topic more broadly in Estonia with schools and their leaders, including rectors.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanks the minister, no longer makes requests to speak, opens and closes negotiations, and ends the consideration of the first agenda item.