• We feel there is an urgent need for the global Estonian website (working title Estica – Global Estonia), currently being developed by specialists in both Estonia and in expatriate communities. We offer our full assistance for completion of this website, and call upon likeminded supporters to add their financial and intellectual contributions.
• We also call on Estonian scholars and subject matter experts to contribute articles to both the Estonian-language Vikipeedia and the English-language Wikipedia, the world's primary online source of information about Estonia, its history, language and culture. We support the goal of adding at least one million Estonian-language articles to Vikipeedia by 2020, and increasing Estonian-related content in other languages. As of August 25, 2017, 160,000 articles had been posted on Vikipeedia; the level of expanded and new content will indicate how much we value the importance of Estonian-language content in Vikipeedia.
Kotkajärve Metsaülikool (Forest University) was established a half-century ago by young Estonians in Canada concerned about Soviet-occupied Estonia and interested in preserving Estonian culture and language among their compatriots. Since 1967, more than 2,000 individuals from North America, Australia, New Zealand and Europe – including Estonia – have attended Metsaülikool. Today, Metsaülikool welcomes anyone who is interested in any aspect of Estonian culture and language. The primary goal of Metsaülikool is language retention in Estonian communities abroad by teaching the language and providing the opportunity to communicate in an immersion environment.
Kotkajärve Metsaülikool has inspired similar initiatives in Sweden, Australia, the United States, and Estonia, all of which have helped us and others to better understand Estonian history, politics and culture. Metsaülikool is now an established bridge between Estonia and its communities abroad.
Metsaülikool
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For more information, please contact:
In Canada:
Olev Träss: 1 416 656 5387
Maimu Mölder: 1 416 421 3812
In the United State:
Sirje Kiin: 1 605 270 1391
Indrek Park: 1 812 8554123
