Estonia is the country in Europe with the most business start-ups per head. It has a lot of bright young people, as its top rankings in the PISA tests affirm (top results in the world outside East Asia). The Estonian education system is strong throughout, but excels in particular in maths, science, engineering and computing/ICT. I’m going to come back to this sector in another blog soon, perhaps entitled young people working for themselves…
But I wanted to focus this time on how the Scout movement in Estonia is providing great opportunities for many of the same young people, widening their horizons and helping them to think about and help others. And why they think it is good to think about the UK, its people and its opportunities.
But why is a British Ambassador writing about this? I started to work with the Scouts soon after my arrival here. Then it was their 100th anniversary and I was able to deliver warm messages to them from HM The Queen as the patron of the Scout movement worldwide, and Bear Grylls as the UK Chief Scout. These messages are now framed on the wall at their HQ.
The more I talked to Scout leaders, and to Scouts themselves, it was clear that they are doing a lot to teach practical skills to young people that will make a difference in their lives. And to instil in them values of teamwork and leadership. I was therefore very happy to partner with the Estonian Scouts in a workshop recently which brought together young entrepreneurs, youth organisation leaders and volunteers and decision-makers from central and local government. I’m told this was the first time that such a wide diversity of people with a direct interest in youth opportunities had ever met.
The discussion was inspiring and useful in equal measure, highlighting issues such as giving practical experience of leadership, responsibility and team work, the difference between knowledge and practical ability/implementation (and so the ability to adapt from education to the workplace), the importance of youth leaders and of volunteering (the latter is challenging in Estonia, as it is in the UK, and part of this relates to the willingness of employers to support volunteering, as well as of course the willingness of individuals) and also the importance of role models visiting youth organisations, schools etc, talking to young people and inspiring them. After all this, there was an agreement to meet again. I have fed in the results to Ministers and Members of Parliament here, who have shown their appreciation and interest. And I know the discussions are being followed up. Maybe next time we’ll patch in the views of UK experts too, perhaps via the Estonian invention of Skype.
In addition to all this, I was very honoured that the Estonian Scouts asked me to be their patron, and was very happy to accept. Since then I have met many more young people from across Estonia. I even spent time at two summer Scout camps last week, including a night under canvas at a Scout camp run by ethnic Russian Estonians, but I wasn’t allowed to get to my tent until we had had a long chat during the evening about the importance of Scouting to them, what life is like growing up in the UK, and a lot about politics too! Scouts certainly don’t lack the confidence to say what they think, constructively, and that will benefit them in life.
I know there are other youth organisations that do a great job with young people to give them skills, expand their horizons and help them have fun – sports clubs are of course an important part of this picture. I am very lucky to work with them too. But I am proudest of my links with the Estonian Scouts, and look forward to continuing to work with them, and to link young people in the UK and Estonia even more closely together, for the benefit of us both.
If you agree with what’s here, or disagree, want to discuss it more, or want to get involved, let me know – send me a message on Twitter: @HMAChrisHoltby