Estonian minister joins discussion in Switzerland on preparing next generation

TALLINN - Estonian Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas is to open a panel discussion Thursday at the St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland, focusing on preparing the next generation for an increasingly complex world.

The panel, titled "A Future-Proof Next Generation: Geopolitical Foresight and Security," brings together international experts to explore how to foster strategic thinking and geopolitical awareness among young people.

"Democracy does not carry forward automatically -- each generation must rebuild it," Kallas said. "If we want our youth to be ready to lead and defend a world that is changing technologically and politically every day, we must give them the skills to navigate digital threats and geopolitical tensions."

The minister emphasized that strong education is Estonia's greatest asset -- it not only allows the country to be part of key discussions but also to serve as a guiding partner. She added that the age of artificial intelligence demands new levels of creativity and critical thinking, which must be cultivated from an early age.

Internationally recognized experts Lynn Kuok and Florence Gaub will also take part in the panel. In addition, the minister will participate in a meeting of young future leaders to discuss how to promote critical and creative thinking in the era of AI. Kallas will also meet with University of St. Gallen president Manuel Ammann and join a discussion titled "Singapore: The Power of Small States," focused on the international role of small countries.