November 17, 2025
On October 27, 2025, the University of Chicago International House welcomed President of Estonia Alar Karis as part of the 2025–2026 Global Forum series, Pathways to Peace: Lessons in Reconciliation. The goal of this series is to explore real-world examples of reconciliation between nations, not as idealized theories, but as complex processes that require courage, vision, and perseverance.
As International House Director Denise Jorgens explains, “The Global Forum will convene leading thinkers, scholars, and practitioners to discuss one of humanity’s most profound challenges and greatest hopes: the ability to reconcile after conflict. Through this series, we will hear from diplomats, historians, philanthropists, and others who witnessed and shaped these turning points in history. We will also highlight the historic role of International Houses around the world in the reconciliation of conflict.”
The talk was moderated by John Mark Hansen, the Charles L. Hutchinson Distinguished Service Professor in the Department of Political Science and the College, who guided the conversation through some of the most pressing issues facing not only Estonia but the global community.
Although Estonia is home to fewer than 1.4 million people, Karis emphasized that the country’s size is a strategic advantage. Estonia’s agility has positioned it at the forefront of digital governance, cybersecurity, and the ethical deployment of AI. He highlighted a new national program designed to equip Estonian teachers with the tools to responsibly use AI in the classroom, an initiative he believes could serve as an international model.
Estonia’s outsized ambitions have also shaped its response to its geopolitical reality. Situated next to Russia and deeply impacted by the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Estonia has taken a leading role in sheltering and educating displaced Ukrainians. Today, roughly 3% of its population is Ukrainian, a reflection of the country’s commitment to humanitarian responsibility and democratic solidarity.
By hosting President Karis, International House has set an inspiring tone for the ambitious slate of programming ahead. The next event in the Global Forum series, World Peace is Most Desirable but Why is it so Difficult to Achieve?, will take place on January 13, 2026, at the India International Centre in Delhi and will be co-sponsored with the Indo-American Friendship Association and the UChicago Center in Delhi. All events will be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing. In keeping with the series’ commitment to global dialogue, organizers will promote interactive participation from audiences around the world through live Q&A sessions and satellite viewing events hosted by International House partners in other cities.
Karis’s reflections underscored how nations, no matter their size, can use innovation to reinforce democratic values and navigate conflict and geopolitical uncertainty. In doing so, the event exemplified the Global Forum’s core purpose: bringing people together across borders to learn from the past, confront present challenges, and imagine pathways toward a more peaceful future.
This story references a UChicago News article on the event.