Club of Rome’s reports were quite popular in Estonia at late...

Club of Rome’s reports were quite popular in Estonia at late 1970s and early 80s and some Estonian philosophers interested in global problems research. Dr. Lembit Valt (scientific field: methodology of science) and Edgar Savisaar published a book in Estonian “Global problems and futures scenarios” (1983).

At year 1981 Edgar Savisaar (later initiator of creation of Estonian Popular Front and First Prime Minister of Independent Estonia) defended his candidate of sciences thesis on the methodology of Club of Rome’s reports. From 1986 Edgar Savisaar held a position of perspective planning department in Estonian State Planning Committee and he initiated at year 1987 a public contest for development of Estonian economy and its main sectors and fields.

Special training for scenario-writing methodology based on the publications of Finnish futures studies specialists Pentti Malaska and Tarja Meristö and on some British publications and on Estonian domestic scenario-building experiences (mainly from company level) was provided by Erik Terk and Andres Saame. More than 30 teams of researchers (among them many later political figures) finished the contest with finished scenario packages about 10 of these presented a serious interest.

Best scenario-packages were about development of rural life in Estonia (with the central point in reestablishment of private farming and real local government), about solving of housing problem in Estonia (connected with the hot problem of migration), about foreign tourism development and about developing of high-tech production in engineering industries.

The scenario-writing contest gave arguments for creation of “Economically independent Estonia’s” project (from September 1987) and had quite significant place in political struggle towards independence at late 1980s.

Institutes and futures research activities after 1990 There was interesting experience of futures research from the time of Edgar Savisaar’s Government (1990-1992): several times the team of Prime Minister’s advisors (Ingrid Preeks and others) mobilised researchers from different fields for developing futures scenarios (of economic reform, political dynamic etc.) and for analysis of future’s alternatives.

For example the models of “Liberal development Estonia”, “Green (sustainable) development” and “Continuing trends” were compared at year 1991. The analysis of these models by researchers was also broadcasted by TV.