Estonian & Finnish National Dialogues on Security and Resilience

Estonian & Finnish National Dialogues on Security and Resilience.  

Date: November 26, 2026 | Time: 15:00–17:00 (EET)

Location: Online

Language: English

Registration link: https://link.webropolsurveys.com/EventParticipation/EventPublic/028f4845-918f-41d4-bd86-c44b46455a73?displayId=Fin3743390

 The changing security situation and growing hybrid threats in our region demand a new kind of resilience. Military defence and crisis preparedness remain important. However, societies also need trust, psychological resilience, and hope.

In spring 2026, Finland’s National Dialogues focused on ”Borderland Dialogues” (Rajamaan dialogit). The discussions explored what it is like to live near the border, what makes the residents feel unsafe, and what helps restore their sense of security.

Simultaneously, the Estonian Cooperation Assembly, in collaboration with the University of Tartu and the Government Office of Estonia, launched the dialogue initiative “How Do I Cope?” (“Kuidas ma hakkama saan?”). The initiative was supported by the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Estonia and adapted from the Finnish dialogue model.

The dialogue explored how people in Estonia respond to changes and concerns related to security. Participants discussed what they fear, what helps them cope and how mental resilience can be strengthened. The initiative took place at a time when Estonia experienced its first domestic drone incidents and the launch of real-time threat alert systems.

During the webinar, we will explore:

• The Finnish experience: How the outcomes of national dialogues are used at different levels of policymaking. 
• National findings: Key insights into how citizens in Estonia and Finland experience and cope with the current geopolitical situation.
• The path forward: How dialogues can be developed and used in the future.

Agenda

• 15:00 | Welcome & Opening Remarks
  • Kai Alhanen (Dialogue Academy) & Kairi Tilga (Estonian Cooperation Assembly)
• 15:10 | The Finnish experience: Applying dialogue outcomes at different levels of policymaking 
  • Kai Alhanen (Dialogue Academy) & Katju Holkeri (Ministry of Finance, Finland).
• 15:30 | Key Outcomes from the Estonian national dialogue ”How Do I Cope?” and Finnish national dialogue ”Borderland Dialogues”. Presentations: Piret Jeedas (Estonian Cooperation Assembly) and Kai Alhanen (Dialogue Academy).

Followed by Panel Discussion: Reflections from Estonian and Finnish Public Administrations.

• • Focus: What are the main differences between the two countries’ experiences, what can we learn from each other, and how can dialogue results be effectively used in policymaking?
  • Panelists: Representative of the Government Office of Estonia (tbc) and Katju Holkeri (Ministry of Finance, Finland).
• 16:40 | What’s Next for Estonia and Finland?

Oasis (Henki Reikä) – Support Groups for Psychological Resilience. A new preparedness model in Finland for maintaining and strengthening psychological resilience in communities and organisations.

Dialogue initiative on balancing nature and the economy (Ministry of Climate, Estonia)

Organizers: Estonian Cooperation Assembly, Government Office of Estonia, Ministry of Finance (Finland), and Dialogue Academy (Finland).

Info:

Kairi Tilga
kairi@kogu.ee
Estonian Cooperation Assembly