ENLIGHT Staff Week at the University of Tartu: Exploring Values in Education, Research and Society
The Staff Week at the University of Tartu Centre for Ethics explored the diverse possibilities for values development in education, research and society. During the four‑day staff training week, participants engaged with the Centre’s long‑standing experience in implementing values‑based approaches across different levels of society. Each day focused on a distinct aspect of values development, combining theoretical insights, practical tools and real‑life examples. Alongside the main programme, participants also had the chance to discover the University of Tartu and the cultural life of the university city.
Values, Dialogue and Community Perspectives
The programme opened with a look back at the Centre for Ethics’ 25 years of work — a period marked by asking difficult questions and bringing theoretical ideas into practical contexts. The first day centred on societal values and their evolution. Participants explored what it means to engage in meaningful dialogue: listening across different value frameworks, recognising disagreement and understanding that dialogue is not about winning but about learning.
Later, the focus shifted to South Estonian communities. Presentations highlighted local initiatives that show how values take shape in everyday practices, stories, projects and small actions that carry significant weight. Conversations continued long after the official programme ended, reinforcing the idea that values are not fixed points but develop through people, doubts and dialogue.
Values in Education — From Classrooms to Kindergartens
The second day was dedicated to education. The morning began with writer Tiia Kõnnussaar reading from the Centre’s book What Matters to You?. It set the tone for a day that asked what people truly value and how this shapes learning environments.
Participants then explored the models and tools of the Values Programme, widely used in the Estonian education system. What initially seemed theoretical quickly revealed itself as a practical framework that helps organisations reflect on their culture and practices.
A visit to Raadi Kindergarten Ripsik offered a vivid example of values in action. Values were visible on the walls, in children’s stories and in teachers’ everyday interactions. In the afternoon, researcher Mari‑Liisa Parder provided a broader perspective on how organisations work with values through codes, practices and decision‑making.
The day concluded with a Dialogue Lab — a playful yet revealing exercise that demonstrated how communication is never neutral and how different perspectives become visible through interaction. In the evening, participants headed to the Pallas University of Applied Sciences for a hands‑on sustainability workshop.
Research as a Value‑Shaped Process
The third day turned to research. Discussions emphasised that research never happens in a vacuum: it is influenced by values, relationships and societal expectations. The day ended with a session on artificial intelligence, a topic central to all fields of research and one that raises important ethical questions.
From Ideas to Implementation
On the final day, the group returned to the Delta Centre, where the focus shifted from ideas to implementation. Participants examined how humanities‑based and value‑driven approaches can be translated into practical tools. One example was the Centre’s discussion game, which raises the question of how to bring a value‑based idea to the public without losing its substance.
The week concluded with a collective reflection session, where participants emphasised that values are not merely something we talk about but something embedded in what we create, research, teach and put into practice. Bringing together professionals whose work spans education, research and societal responsibility, the ENLIGHT staff training week moved from classrooms to communities, from theory to practice and from dialogue to self‑reflection. The key takeaway was clear: values are everyday choices that shape organisations and the societies they serve.