By Plenary Sessions: Heljo Pikhof

The speaker demonstrates awareness of the connections between regional policy and digital infrastructure, emphasizing its impact on entrepreneurship and the retention of young people in rural areas. They use the term "one of the pillars of regional policy" and are able to anticipate problems with the delimitation of administrative jurisdictions, even though they do not use technical terminology.

The speaker demonstrates expertise in the field of internal security, focusing on staffing issues within the police and prison services. They reference the hundreds of vacant positions at the PPA (Police and Border Guard Board), the reliance on auxiliary police officers and overtime, and highlight the intense labor market competition among the PPA, the prison service, and the Tax and Customs Board.

The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in education policy and socio-economic inequality, citing PISA results, studies conducted by the Foresight Centre (Arenguseire Keskus), and concrete income data (€1000 vs €4500 median income). They are highly familiar with international mechanisms for leveling the playing field (Nordic countries, Canada, Ireland) and differentiate linear subjects (mathematics) from others. Furthermore, they possess knowledge regarding the procedures for adopting the Arms Act and the training network for libraries.

The speaker demonstrates in-depth knowledge of work and rest time regulations and the practices of European Union countries concerning public holiday compensation. He/She supports his/her positions with statistical data (Estonia having the highest number of working hours in the EU) and refers to a previous expert opinion provided by Risto Kaarna, an analyst from the Ministry of Finance's Fiscal Policy Department. Furthermore, he/she cites studies by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions regarding the benefits of work-life balance.

The speaker demonstrates a deep historical knowledge of bioethics and human research, citing their previous membership in the corresponding Estonian council. This expertise is further confirmed by the mention of organizing a major conference alongside renowned physicians and experts. Consequently, this grants them the authority to demand a more vigorous approach to the issue.

The speaker demonstrates expertise in cultural policy, addressing the Culture Committee on topics ranging from the extension of the Estonia Theatre to the modernization of the Academy of Sciences Act. They utilize international comparisons, citing examples from European countries regarding compensation for public holidays and referring to the practices of the Nordic countries, Canada, and Ireland in mitigating educational inequality. Furthermore, the speaker is familiar with the education funding system and the social disparities evident in PISA results.