Estonian first lady in Kyiv: Education helps build future Ukraine

TALLINN - Sirje Karis, the wife of the president of Estonia, was in Kyiv on Wednesday and Thursday at the invitation of Olena Zelenska, the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In her presentation at the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen hosted by Zelenska, Sirje Karis said that education helps to build a smart society and a future Ukraine.

She also visited the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv, which was damaged in a missile attack, and a center for the protection of children's rights, where the problem of deported Ukrainian children was discussed with Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets. In addition, Sirje Karis visited a family house for children orphaned during the war.

“Unfortunately, we witness almost every day how Russia commits war crimes by bombing schools, playgrounds, and hospitals. We must do everything possible to ensure that the children deported to Russia are reunited with their families," Sirje Karis said. "Next, we need to build a future where such aggression is impossible. The key lies in education that fosters empathy and strengthens resilience."

She spoke about the mental health issues facing young people, which are becoming one of the greatest challenges for society.

Sirje Karis highlighted Estonia's initiatives to reduce bullying in schools and the technological solutions developed by Estonian startups, such as Triumf Health and Clanbeat, which support the mental well-being of young people.

She also spoke about the experiences of Ukrainian pupils living in Estonia and about the schools for war refugees in Estonia. More than 9,000 Ukrainian pupils attend school in Estonia at this point. Estonia's goal is to quickly integrate them into the community because support and a sense of belonging give young people a sense of security.

"Ukrainian children who are currently pursuing education in Estonia are Ukraine's future. We know they are waiting to return home. Estonia is also working to ensure that their schooling in Estonia is recognized when they return home. This way, parents and students have one less worry," the first lady added.

She said Estonia understands the importance of reforming the Ukrainian education system and considers it a necessary area of cooperation in which Estonia is ready to share its experience.

The summit of the spouses of the heads of state focused on the safety and security of children in school. Suzanne Innes-Stubb, the wife of the president of Finland, Brigitte Macron, the wife of the president of France, and Yuko Kishida, the wife of the prime minister of Japan, participated in the discussion, with Brigitte Macron participating virtually. Diana Nausėdienė, the wife of the Lithuanian head of state, Aleš Musar, the husband of the president of Slovenia, Bo Tengberg, the husband of the prime minister of Denmark, Tamara Vučić, the wife of the president of Serbia, Rossana Briceño, the wife of the president of Belize, and Lucrecia Peinado, the wife of the president of Guatemala, also attended the summit. The summit adopted a joint statement focusing on the protection of children's rights.

The Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen was initiated in 2021 by the wife of the president of Ukraine with the aim of creating a form of cooperation for the exchange of experience and the launch of new projects in the humanitarian, medical, educational and cultural spheres.