UPEI political science students meet with ambassadors from three Baltic countries

Students in Dr. Jeffrey Collins’s Comparative Politics course at UPEI recently had an opportunity to learn about life in three Baltic countries. 

Last month, the students hosted a discussion with Kaspars Ozoliņš, Ambassador of Latvia; Egidijus Meilūnas, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania; and Margus Rava, Ambassador of Estonia. During the discussion, which was led by student moderators Isadora de Souza and Josh Sobrecaray, they heard first-hand accounts about what life was like under Soviet totalitarianism and how the Baltics continue to be preoccupied with their national security and existence.

The ambassadors reiterated the appreciation people in their countries have for Canada, saying that Canada refused to recognize the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1991, and this principled stance is not forgotten. 

“It was an important reminder of how Canadian diplomatic decisions today can last generations,” said Dr. Collins.

During their visit to PEI, the ambassadors also met with Dr. Wassim Salamoun, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island; Premier Rob Lantz; Paul Ledwell, Deputy Minister of Veteran Affairs Canada; and Mayor Philip Brown. They also met with a wide range of business representatives from PEI and visited the Charlottetown Library and Learning Centre.