Estonia is an Eastern European country between Latvia and Russia, bordering the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland. It is a high-income country of approximately 1.2 million people.
Estonia had been under centuries of Danish, Swedish, German and Russian rule when it gained independence in 1918, only to be forced into the USSR in 1940. The country regained its current independence in 1991.
Estonian Education System
Education in Estonia is comprehensive and compulsory through grade 9, although a reform is being prepared to extend compulsory education to the age of 18, to be implemented from the school year 2025-26, which will bring the country in line with other OECD countries. Preschool begins at 18 months and basic education at age 7. Students with special needs are mainstreamed in regular classes. School is free, including lunch, textbooks, transportation and necessary support services.
After completing their primary education, students can continue to general secondary education or to secondary vocational school. Completion of secondary education allows students to pursue a preprofessional higher educational institution or vocational education, although students who have completed a vocational secondary school can only advance to vocational education.
PISA 2022 (Program for International Student Assessment) ranked Estonian students at the top in Europe and in the top eight in the world. Among European countries, Estonia was 1st-2nd in math with Switzerland, 1st in science, and 1st-2nd in reading with Ireland.
Estonia’s Educational Leap into Technology
Tiger Leap: After returning to independence in 1991, Estonia initiated the modernization of its education system. Underlying this move was the belief that information technology should be used for the benefit of social development. Tiger Leap was launched in 1996 by three key people: Lennart Meri, President of Estonia; Jaak Aaviksoo, Minister of Education; and Toomas Hendrik Ilves, then ambassador to the U.S. and later president of Estonia. Tiger Leap stood on three pillars: (1) computers and the internet, (2) basic teacher training and (3) native-language electronic courseware for general education institutions. By 2000, all Estonian schools had computers and by 2001, all were connected to the internet. Local funds supported this leap, matched by the Tiger Leap Foundation. In the initial year of 1997, 4,000 teachers received training, followed by thousands more in subsequent years.
Later programs included Tiger Leap Plus, ProgeTiger and IT Academy. Tiger Leap Plus focused on competencies needed for information and communications technologies. The ProgeTiger and IT Academy programs launched in 2012. ProgeTiger focused on the technological literacy and digital competence of teachers and students. IT Academy was a cooperation and development program among the state, ICT sector companies and universities, to increase the number of ICT professionals.
AI Leap 2025: AI Leap 2025 is Estonia’s move to incorporate cutting-edge artificial intelligence applications into its education system. Estonia believes it is the first, or one of the first countries to introduce AI into the entire nationwide education system at one time, rather than piecemeal, in specific schools or regions, as has been done elsewhere. The long-term goal of the AI leap is more efficient, personalized, diverse and inclusive teaching. Says Slim Sikkut, a member of Estonian President Alar Karis’s Digital Council and former Government CIO of Estonia, “We also want to reduce the digital technology divide and prevent a new divide between those who are AI savvy and those who are not.”
Initially, 20,000 10th and 11th grade high school students will get access to AI apps, and 3,000 teachers will receive training on how best to use them. The goal is for students to build a skillset that will allow them to remain competitive at personal, company, and national levels. President Karis initiated AI Leap 2025, with the participation of various entrepreneurs and the Ministry of Education and is funded jointly by the government and the private sector. Teacher training is scheduled to begin in fall 2025. Teachers, students, academics, businesses and community members have formed working groups to define target competencies, curricula, tools and training programs.
A Strategy for the Future
Estonia’s technology education programs are one aspect of Estonia’s Education Development Plan 2021-2035, to enhance the “digital and entrepreneurial competencies of learners and educators.” Combined with the plan’s goals of high-quality and inclusive education for all, lifelong learning and innovation, the technology leaps should support the ultimate goal of the well-being and development of learners and educators.
– Staff Reports
Photo: Flickr
Health Improvements in Malawi: A Revised Health Care Budget
Why Did the Budget Increase Now?
Several organizations focused on financial assistance and health financing supported the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs in drafting Malawi’s 2025/2026 health budget. Their involvement extended beyond health and contributed to shaping the entire national budget. Key organizations included the Partners in Population and Development Africa Regional Office (PPD-ARO), the Advancing Domestic Health Financing (ADHF) project, well-equipped civil society organizations (CSOs) and the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP).
Another factor behind Malawi’s increased health budget is the Lusaka Agenda, launched on Universal Health Coverage Day, after a 14-month global consultative process. It outlines five strategic shifts to better align external support with a single national plan, budget and monitoring framework. Indeed, as the foundation of Malawi’s new budget, it is expected to drive sustainable health improvements nationwide.
The Scale of the Health Budget Increase
The overall health care budget for Malawi for 2025 and 2026 has risen by 8.5%, from $421 million to $456 million. Funding for family planning commodities rose by 10%, increasing from about $404,000 to $445,000. Direct Facility Financing saw a sharp 150% rise, from around $115,000 to $288,000.
The government also pledged roughly $11.5 million to build 55 new health posts. Meanwhile, the national drug budget expanded by 25%, reaching nearly $40.4 million and the vaccine budget grew substantially by 150%, climbing from about $577,000 to $1.44 million.
What New Programs Will Be Added?
According to the AFIDEP, the newly improved budget will focus on sexual and reproductive wellness, family planning and strengthening things on the administrative side. However, these improvements are not the only steps being taken; general health care in Malawi will also improve. These efforts will assist people wanting to start families and keep themselves safe.
Other Ways the Increased Budget Will Help
The increase in Malawi’s health budget is expected to improve health care nationwide. Young people are mobilizing to learn more about health issues, equipping themselves to make informed decisions and influence how the system serves them.
Furthermore, through the READY Movement, an organization focused on youth empowerment, young people are being educated about HIV prevention and the funding gaps in this area of the new budget. They are better positioned to influence their communities and advocate for stronger health care responses by raising awareness.
– Zoe Felder
Photo: Flickr
Ending Extreme Poverty by 2050
Some experts contend that broadening the horizon to end extreme poverty by 2050 could provide a more feasible pathway forward to overcome structural inequalities, climate pressures and economic impediments. Similarly, 2050 provides countries additional time to enact systemic changes that include enhancing health care access to education, increasing infrastructure development and improving climate adaptation, all of which are important steps toward sustainable poverty reduction.
Global Poverty
According to the World Bank’s Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2022 report, almost 700 million people still live on less than $2.15 a day. This is even after a historic low since 1990, which has lifted more than one billion people out of extreme poverty. Climate instability is one of the biggest threats to people and livelihoods while also impacting economies, especially in low-income countries.
Weather disasters such as extreme weather, flooding and droughts primarily affect low-income countries. Environmental disruptions can easily push economic growth in countries where communities have shown economic growth back into extreme poverty. Income inequality is another complex challenge to global, regional and local progress.
As the wealthy in a region benefit from growth, the vulnerable become further entrenched in poverty. Public health systems and preventive care remain weak, even as income levels rise. Meanwhile, billions of people still lack access to clean water and sanitation.
Issues such as high energy prices, the war in Ukraine, global conflicts and rising inflation can stall poverty reduction and strain both public and private resources. This underscores the need for leaders to consider how national strategies can be supported and extended into long-term sustainable initiatives.
Organizations Driving the Fight Against Poverty
Many organizations are working to address these challenges. The United Nations (U.N.) continues to lead global efforts through its 17 SDGs. The World Bank provides funding, technical assistance and progress measurement. UNICEF works to expand access to education, health care and clean water for children in developing countries. Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) delivers food assistance to more than 150 million people each year, targeting hunger as one of the root causes of poverty.
Regional development banks, NGOs and private foundations also contribute funding, expertise and innovation to programs that support livelihoods and foster inclusive economic growth. Yet it is concrete collective action, from these actors and others, that has made it clear that ending extreme poverty is not only a moral necessity but also a global economic and political priority.
Final Remarks
Investments in renewable energy, climate-resilient development, infrastructure and universal education will all be integral to establishing systems that permanently move people out of poverty.
The benefits of achieving this goal would be global: stronger economies, larger markets, greater social stability from a better-educated citizenry and improved health for all.
– Sophia Scelza
Photo: Flickr
Elderly Poverty in the Marshall Islands
Elderly poverty in the Marshall Islands also has links to food insecurity. Droughts and increased storms impact the RMI, with both causing a decrease in natural food and water supplies, as well as limiting imports of food and triggering disease outbreaks. Those living in elderly poverty may also experience inadequate housing or loss of coastal homes due to the sea levels rising and storm patterns.
The main cause of elderly poverty in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is due to the dependence on the United States for jobs. Due to the Compact of Free Association between the United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the citizens of the Marshall Islands can live and work in the U.S. without visas.
This dependence on the U.S. to provide jobs creates no gainful employment opportunities for Marshallese citizens on-island. Some citizens rely on those migrating out for jobs to send out goods as their support.
Changing Weather Patterns
Major natural hazards due to changing weather patterns in the Marshall islands are sea level rise, droughts and tropical storms and typhoons. Threats from droughts and saltwater intrusion make freshwater scarce throughout the islands. This lack of water undermines food security, which increases reliance on imports to supplement nutrients. The imported food can often be unhealthy and are a risk for those already living with certain health risks such as diabetes, obesity or other infectious diseases.
Limited Health Care Access
The RMI population is strewn across the various islands, making it difficult to provide the citizens with proper health care. Stigmas surrounding illnesses and a trust in traditional healing also encourages the Marshallese to delay seeking proper care.
The Marshallese hold certain cultural values that prevent them from receiving proper medical aid as they may not seek treatment until symptoms become severe. Illnesses such as leprosy, HIV and tuberculosis can cause the afflicted Marshallese to experience discrimination due to the severe stigmas surrounding the illnesses. This also causes the afflicted to avoid seeking proper care.
Lack of Formal Social Security
While the Marshall Islands has a social insurance system providing old-age benefits, it is not the same as the universal old-age benefit system. The key difference is the availability to all residents regardless of contribution. The old-age pension benefit system within the Marshall Islands outlines a qualifying age of 61, each qualifier would receive a three-month period of coverage earned by a certain amount of work under social security.
Solutions
The Senior Citizens Act of 2018 in the RMI establishes a government policy of supporting senior citizens and promoting elderly well-being as well as societal participation.
Developing formal social security as a solution can help elderly poverty in the Marshall Islands, as eligible retirees receive regular payments that will supply a crucial source of income. Along with this, benefits can extend to a wider range of people in vulnerable groups such as older women, those with lower income and those with less access to private retirement savings or pensions.
A wider availability of benefits will also provide more freedom when it comes to retirement choices. A formal social security system will also incorporate life insurance and disability insurance components. This system would also extend to the younger population, as well as to individuals with severe disabilities.
– Eva Wakelin
Photo: Unsplash
Addressing the Cholera Outbreak in Kenya
Cholera Outbreak in Kenya
The first cholera outbreak in Kenya started in 1971, with current challenges such as displacement and poor infrastructure in rural and flood-affected areas intensifying the issue. Cholera outbreaks mainly stem from two significant factors: changes in climate and inadequate access to sanitation and clean water.
Changing climatic conditions have been connected to cholera outbreaks, including rainfall variations, temperature and extreme weather events. Some Kenyans living in areas impacted by severe weather, such as floods or drought, experience displacement, leaving many without access to clean water and sanitation. Due to the complexity of these cross-border influences, it is increasingly challenging to manage cholera outbreaks.
Cholera remains a serious concern, with the most recent long-term outbreak in Kenya lasting from October 2022 to September 2024. During this period, more than 12,000 cases were reported, resulting in more than 200 deaths. With the fatality rate exceeding the global expectation of 1%, coordinated actions are essential to preventing the spread of cholera and to reducing the severity of future outbreaks.
Solution
To combat the cholera outbreak in Kenya, volunteers at the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) are leading emergency response efforts addressing flooding. Flood response teams focus on search and rescue operations and providing relief to those affected.
In addition, the KRCS partnered with the Ministry of Health to engage community members in tackling the issue. Initiatives include programs that improve knowledge and access, such as Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) deployed rapid response teams to three counties in Kenya to support local health care workers. Their work includes managing active cases through contact tracing, laboratory diagnosis and water testing. WHO also supplies cholera kits to affected areas, containing testing materials, medical equipment and essential medications. In Nairobi County alone, these kits treated an estimated 1,100 mild and severe cases.
To reduce the burden on health officials ahead of potential future outbreaks, the WHO and the Ministry of Health in 2024 trained and deployed 120 workers to high-risk counties, equipping them with the tools to treat cholera cases.
Conclusion
With recent history showing prolonged outbreaks and devastating weather events, the ongoing cholera outbreak in Kenya highlights the need for urgent and sustained action. Displacement, lack of access to sanitation and clean water, along with insufficient infrastructure, continue to drive the spread of cholera, particularly in rural and underserved areas. However, coordinated efforts from organizations like the KRCS and the WHO offer hope.
Kenya is taking meaningful steps toward managing this crisis through emergency response and long-term efforts. These include community engagement, training health workers and improving water and sanitation systems. Continued support and investment can help Kenya and surrounding countries break the cycle of recurring outbreaks to build resilience against future public health threats.
– Grace Johnson
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Diseases Impacting Barbados
Noncommunicable Diseases in Barbados
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death in Barbados. According to the Global Food Research Program, NCDs accounted for 83% of all deaths in 2016. The primary reason for this is the high consumption rate of sugary drinks. Diseases such as obesity are rising in Barbados.
However, the country is taking steps to fight against the prevalence of NCDs. In 2015, the country implemented a 10% tax on sugary drinks, which increased to 20% in 2022. The country also passed the National School Nutrition Policy, which improved the food quality in Barbadian schools, added measures relating to proper physical activity for students and promoted community health.
In 2023, an estimated 6.9% of Barbadians aged 15 and older used tobacco and 67.2% of people in this age group were either overweight or obese. Nearly 43% of the population reported insufficient physical activity. About 34.6% of Barbadian women and 17.1% of Barbadian men were overweight or obese.
Additionally, 24.4% of the population aged 18 and older reported high blood pressure in 2015. And in 2014, 12.2% of the population 18 and older reported having diabetes mellitus.
Infectious Diseases in Barbados
Barbados also deals with infectious diseases such as dengue and chikungunya. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) lists Barbados as a country with a frequent or continuous risk of dengue. There was a dengue outbreak in the country in 2023-2024, with 3,303 cases. There were also eight confirmed cases of chikungunya in 2024. Diseases caused by mosquito bites (such as dengue and chikungunya) are prevalent across the Caribbean.
Since Barbados is a small island nation, outbreaks of infectious diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika can have particularly big impacts on the country’s health care system and its economic productivity.
Barbados’ economy relies on tourism. An outbreak of infectious diseases might discourage tourists from visiting, causing economic loss for the country and its locals. Diseases impacting Barbados impact not just the country’s public health, but also its economy.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness of Barbados has taken steps to combat these infectious diseases. The ministry engages in public mosquito control and active disease surveillance to prevent/manage outbreaks.
Conclusion
Barbados is currently dealing with both communicable diseases and NCDs. A significant percentage of Barbadians are dealing with obesity. In addition, the country periodically experiences outbreaks of infectious (primarily mosquito-borne) diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika. These diseases impacting Barbados might adversely affect the country’s health care, economy and quality of life.
However, the government has programs to fight these diseases. The government has instituted a 20% tax on sugary drinks and implemented school programs promoting proper nutrition and physical activity. It also engages in programs such as mosquito control and disease surveillance to fight infectious diseases.
– Samriddha Aryal
Photo: Flickr
Solving South Sudan’s Water Crisis
However, significant progress is being made with South Sudan’s water crisis. With cooperation with the United Nations (U.N.) and UNICEF, the South Sudanese government is working to meet this challenge by working with private on-the-ground organizations to create real change for South Sudanese people.
South Sudan’s Water Crisis
The roots of the issue lie in the civil war that followed South Sudan’s independence, which resulted in most of its water infrastructure being destroyed. Due to this destruction, South Sudan’s water crisis started to spiral. Around 59% of South Sudanese lack access to clean water and only 11% have access to basic sanitation. The lack of a reliable water resource management system has forced most South Sudanese to rely on unsanitary practices.
South Sudan relies heavily on the Nile River basin for its water supply. Poor management, combined with climate variability, has intensified water scarcity and contributed to alternating cycles of drought and flooding. This forces people to move from their homes, worsening the country’s already tense security situation. Additionally, this worsens food insecurity, creating another potential flash point for civil conflict, as more than 70% of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood.
Government Efforts and Organizations Helping
In August 2024, the South Sudanese government announced plans to join the U.N. Water Convention. This step aims to help the country develop a cohesive strategy for stabilizing and managing its water systems. South Sudan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Pal Mai Deng, stated that “being part of this global convention will open for us huge opportunities beyond measure.” The Convention would strengthen national water institutions and foster cooperation with neighboring countries to improve regional water management.
However, South Sudan’s water crisis isn’t just being solved by governmental organizations. Private groups like Water for South Sudan (WFSS) are helping local communities to tackle the ongoing emergency. WFSS trains local community members to create water committees to ensure these resources are sustainably managed. In 2023 alone, WFSS drilled 47 new wells and repaired 91 preexisting wells, benefiting more than 42,000 people.
In villages like Nyoric, water sources were once extremely far away. One resident, Nyibol, explained that reaching a working well could take up to three hours. Thanks to WFSS and its partners, the village has direct access to clean water.
Final Remarks
Much work remains to solve South Sudan’s water crisis. However, the country is a strong example of how a nation can begin recovering from the brink with support from private aid and the international community.
– Joseph Laughon
Photo: Flickr
Solar-Powered Cinema in Zambia’s Rural Communities
Origins in Zambia
The concept began in 2013, when filmmakers Sydelle Willow Smith and Rowan Pybus screened their documentary Amazing Grace, which profiled Zambian conservationist Lloyd Maanyina. Despite being the central figure in the film, Maanyina’s own village could not watch it due to a lack of internet, cinemas or affordable streaming options. That moment sparked the creation of the SunBox, a solar-powered “cinema in a box” containing a projector, speakers, and a battery system.
From the start, the goal was simple but ambitious: to bring relevant films directly to communities, using technology that could operate off-grid. By 2017, Sunshine Cinema had evolved into a nonprofit organization operating in Zambia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Kenya.
The organization trains SunBox Ambassadors—young people from underserved communities—to run screenings, facilitate discussions, and earn income as media entrepreneurs. This solar-powered mobile cinema model brings clean energy, new job opportunities and access to life-changing information to regions where these resources are scarce.
Poverty Reduction Through Storytelling and Jobs
At its core, the solar-powered cinema in Zambia is a poverty-fighting initiative. Ambassadors learn about event facilitation, digital marketing and community engagement, allowing them to transform screenings into reliable income sources. In rural areas that lack infrastructure and formal jobs are rare, this work not only supports individuals but also strengthens the local economy.
Co-founder Rowan Pybus explained: “We train youth in digital marketing and impact facilitation… we run outdoor screening events, celebrating African film and run media training workshops promoting active citizenry.”
This approach makes the solar cinema project more than just a film delivery system—it is a sustainable small-business model that equips participants with transferable skills for other industries.
Each screening is carefully curated to include both engaging entertainment and practical knowledge. In Zambia, screenings of “I Am Not a Witch” were a topic of community discussions about women’s rights and the balance between tradition and progress. These dialogues give residents the chance to share perspectives, ask questions, and propose solutions to pressing local issues.
The mobile cinema could also act as a renewable energy classroom. By demonstrating how the SunBox operates entirely on solar power, audiences see first-hand the potential of clean energy to reduce fuel costs, cut pollution and improve quality of life.
Conclusion
Co-founder Sydelle Willow Smith summed up the mission: “Our model is a hybrid of storytelling, sustainability, and youth entrepreneurship… By using solar power and training young changemakers, we’ve created a platform that reduces carbon emissions, fosters grassroots dialogue, and creates meaningful work in the informal and green economies,” Lioness of Africa reports.
In rural Zambia, where access to electricity and formal education resources is often limited, the solar-powered cinema in Zambia offers more than just light on a screen—it provides livelihoods, vital knowledge, and inspiration. By combining renewable energy with cultural storytelling, this solar cinema project is reducing poverty, strengthening communities, and sparking a new generation’s curiosity about technology, filmmaking and clean energy.
– Mamie Hirsh
Photo: Flickr
Empowering Rural Girls in India To Complete Their Education
Approximately 29% of children drop out before completing elementary school. As for secondary education, around 50% of adolescents do not complete secondary education. Nearly half of primary school children fail to achieve sufficient grade-level learning levels. Initiatives and efforts aim to address gender equity and poverty reduction holistically.
Challenges Facing Rural Girls’ Education
Despite progress in enrollment, education in India for many rural girls is harsh. Social expectations often prioritize early marriage and household duties over schooling. Girls are often seen as economic burdens and early marriage (before 18 years old) is seen as a way to secure a stable financial future.
The study “Students and Brides: A Qualitative Analysis of the Relationship Between Girls’ Education and Early Marriage in Ethiopia and India” is crucial for understanding the link between education and early marriage in rural India, particularly in Jharkhand, where early marriage persists despite increasing awareness of education’s benefits.
The study found that while girls often viewed education as a way to gain confidence and life skills, its perceived value was frequently tied to improving their marriage prospects or household management, rather than fostering independence and knowledge. For instance, one participant remarked that an educated girl “will be able to manage her house and family well and chances of conflicts with husband and in-laws will reduce substantially,” highlighting how strongly gender roles shape expectations.
The study also documented how poverty and social pressure continue to push girls out of receiving an education in India. Some girls were withdrawn due to financial constraints, while others were married off to avoid gossip about their character. In contrast, girls who were able to delay marriage, such as the girl who canceled her engagement with the help of Project RISHTA peer educators, often had strong personal motivation and support from parents or teachers.
These specific examples underscore why education alone is not enough; tackling early marriage requires interventions that address social norms, offer economic support and provide continued education pathways even after marriage.
Safety Concerns
In March 2025, the Luena Foundation collaborated with the Women Development Welfare Society (WDWS) to help 46 girls in Choppadandi village, Telangana, stay in school by providing bicycles for transportation. Many of these girls previously walked up to six kilometers to school each day, facing safety risks and long travel times that often led to dropout or early marriage. With a $4,000 investment, the project supplied bicycles and ran awareness campaigns to encourage families to support girls’ education.
The impact was significant because the girls now get to arrive at school on time, feel safer and have more time and energy for studies and sports. Families save money on transportation, which they can use for essentials or future education costs. The project also shifted attitudes as parents became more supportive and some began saving for their daughters’ futures rather than planning early marriages. The initiative improved safety, access to education and community mindsets around girls’ schooling through a simple yet effective solution.
A Brighter Tomorrow
Although education in India has made considerable progress in boosting enrollment, many rural girls continue to face major barriers that prevent them from completing secondary school. Social norms, financial hardship, early marriage and safety concerns limit their educational opportunities. However, there are promising efforts underway. Programs like Project RISHTA provide safe spaces and peer-led education that help delay early marriages and promote healthier adolescent decision-making.
Additionally, initiatives such as the Luena Foundation’s bicycle distribution project in Telangana offer practical solutions with immediate impact. By addressing safety and transportation challenges, this project enabled girls to attend school regularly and on time. Despite the ongoing challenges, these targeted interventions show that change is possible!
– LaRayee Lee
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Colombia’s Pension Reform is Fighting Poverty
Elderly Poverty in Colombia
The South American country of Colombia has a population of approximately 50 million people, of which more than 7 million (14%) are above the age of 60. According to a study conducted by the Institute of Aging at Colombia’s Javeriana University, 28.4% of this population (or 1.8 million) are living below the poverty line. The study also found that more than one million people in this age demographic are “victims of Colombia’s armed conflict,” which has been going on for decades
Inflation during and after the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted many countries, including Colombia. Since 2021, the inflation rate has grown exponentially, peaking at 13.34% in March 2023. While the current rate is much lower, the effects of inflation are still widely present. These effects are especially difficult for elderly people, who often rely on fixed incomes and have limited opportunities to increase their earnings.
In 2023, Colombia’s pension plan only covered 25.5% of the elderly population, according to Bloomberg Linea. This situation leads many older Colombians to extend their working lives, often taking on informal and poorly paid jobs. This is an issue that is more noticeable in rural areas
This is an issue that will continue to become more palpable over time. In 2015, only 10.8% of Colombia’s population was over 60. By 2050, that number will increase to 27.5%
Passage of the Law
While Colombia’s pension reform was a significant issue for years, it became the forefront of Colombian politics in 2022 with the electoral success of Gustavo Petro to the presidency. During the campaign, he promised many social reforms, including pension reform.
His promise came to fruition when the Colombian Congress passed the pension reform bill in June 2024, which came into effect in July 2025. Specifically, this new law aims to strengthen the state pension fund, Colpensiones, by requiring individuals who earn less than $800 per month to contribute to the public fund. It also guarantees payments for older adults who have insufficient retirement savings or none at all. The government estimates that approximately 2.6 million older Colombians will benefit from these expanded payments, providing long-overdue financial security to a vulnerable segment of the population
New Pillar System
The reform also establishes a new “pillar system” that focuses on increasing coverage and efficiency. It divides pension contributions into different pillars based on income levels, thereby encouraging higher-income earners to contribute to private savings while ensuring lower-income workers receive support from the public system. This structure aims to make the overall pension system more inclusive and reduce inequality among retirees.
Additionally, one of the primary objectives of Colombia’s Pension Reform is to combat elderly poverty by offering a guaranteed minimum monthly payment to retirees who did not meet the required weeks of contributions under the old system. This helps ensure that aging citizens who worked informally or intermittently have support in their later years.
While implementation will require significant coordination and public education, the reform is a step toward creating a more equitable retirement system in Colombia.
– William Brentani
Photo: Flickr
Education in Estonia: From ‘Tiger Leap’ to an AI Future
Estonia is an Eastern European country between Latvia and Russia, bordering the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland. It is a high-income country of approximately 1.2 million people.
Estonia had been under centuries of Danish, Swedish, German and Russian rule when it gained independence in 1918, only to be forced into the USSR in 1940. The country regained its current independence in 1991.
Estonian Education System
Education in Estonia is comprehensive and compulsory through grade 9, although a reform is being prepared to extend compulsory education to the age of 18, to be implemented from the school year 2025-26, which will bring the country in line with other OECD countries. Preschool begins at 18 months and basic education at age 7. Students with special needs are mainstreamed in regular classes. School is free, including lunch, textbooks, transportation and necessary support services.
After completing their primary education, students can continue to general secondary education or to secondary vocational school. Completion of secondary education allows students to pursue a preprofessional higher educational institution or vocational education, although students who have completed a vocational secondary school can only advance to vocational education.
PISA 2022 (Program for International Student Assessment) ranked Estonian students at the top in Europe and in the top eight in the world. Among European countries, Estonia was 1st-2nd in math with Switzerland, 1st in science, and 1st-2nd in reading with Ireland.
Estonia’s Educational Leap into Technology
Tiger Leap: After returning to independence in 1991, Estonia initiated the modernization of its education system. Underlying this move was the belief that information technology should be used for the benefit of social development. Tiger Leap was launched in 1996 by three key people: Lennart Meri, President of Estonia; Jaak Aaviksoo, Minister of Education; and Toomas Hendrik Ilves, then ambassador to the U.S. and later president of Estonia. Tiger Leap stood on three pillars: (1) computers and the internet, (2) basic teacher training and (3) native-language electronic courseware for general education institutions. By 2000, all Estonian schools had computers and by 2001, all were connected to the internet. Local funds supported this leap, matched by the Tiger Leap Foundation. In the initial year of 1997, 4,000 teachers received training, followed by thousands more in subsequent years.
Later programs included Tiger Leap Plus, ProgeTiger and IT Academy. Tiger Leap Plus focused on competencies needed for information and communications technologies. The ProgeTiger and IT Academy programs launched in 2012. ProgeTiger focused on the technological literacy and digital competence of teachers and students. IT Academy was a cooperation and development program among the state, ICT sector companies and universities, to increase the number of ICT professionals.
AI Leap 2025: AI Leap 2025 is Estonia’s move to incorporate cutting-edge artificial intelligence applications into its education system. Estonia believes it is the first, or one of the first countries to introduce AI into the entire nationwide education system at one time, rather than piecemeal, in specific schools or regions, as has been done elsewhere. The long-term goal of the AI leap is more efficient, personalized, diverse and inclusive teaching. Says Slim Sikkut, a member of Estonian President Alar Karis’s Digital Council and former Government CIO of Estonia, “We also want to reduce the digital technology divide and prevent a new divide between those who are AI savvy and those who are not.”
Initially, 20,000 10th and 11th grade high school students will get access to AI apps, and 3,000 teachers will receive training on how best to use them. The goal is for students to build a skillset that will allow them to remain competitive at personal, company, and national levels. President Karis initiated AI Leap 2025, with the participation of various entrepreneurs and the Ministry of Education and is funded jointly by the government and the private sector. Teacher training is scheduled to begin in fall 2025. Teachers, students, academics, businesses and community members have formed working groups to define target competencies, curricula, tools and training programs.
A Strategy for the Future
Estonia’s technology education programs are one aspect of Estonia’s Education Development Plan 2021-2035, to enhance the “digital and entrepreneurial competencies of learners and educators.” Combined with the plan’s goals of high-quality and inclusive education for all, lifelong learning and innovation, the technology leaps should support the ultimate goal of the well-being and development of learners and educators.
– Staff Reports
Photo: Flickr