Lennart Meri Conference is organised by the International Centre for Defence and Security, a Tallinn-based think tank in cooperation with Lennart Meri European Foundation. The President of Estonia is the Patron of the Conference. Main partners are the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, several NGOs and supporters from the private sector. Volunteers help us run the conference smoothly.
If you have any questions about Lennart Meri Conference to which you cannot find the answer from this website, please contact Mrs Maret Koplus – maret.koplus@icds.ee.
Lennart Meri Conference is by invitation only. The invitation will be e-mailed electronically and we only approve registrations made in our registrations system. The registration will close 2 weeks before the conference. Please note that due to high interest the registration of participants may be closed before this deadline if full capacities are reached. Please register at your earliest convenience!
For speakers, we cover flights and accommodation – up to 1000 EUR for flights and 2 nights accommodation during the conference (3 nights for transatlantic speakers). The conference does not cover costs for local transfers in country of residence. If a speaker fails to attend the conference for personal reasons (family, sickness etc.), the ICDS reserves the right to request for the refund at least 50% of the flight costs.
For other participants, to book your stay at any of the Conference hotels you can kindly use our Conference discount code. For all guests accommodated in the Radisson Blu Sky Hotel or any other hotel connected to the conference we provide transportation from and to the airport, the harbour, and the bus or railway station. Your personal transfer information will be given to you upon arrival at the Registration Desk.
The Registration Desk opens at 1 PM on Friday, 17 May. We kindly ask you to collect your badge at your earliest convenience to avoid queuing. Our colleagues at the LMC Registration Desk will be at your disposal from early morning to late evening during the Conference and will be happy to help you with any questions or inquiries you might have.
Security of guests is of paramount importance to the organisers. Therefore, we kindly ask you to wear your badge at all times when attending the LMC. Access to the conference will be only permitted to those wearing their badge provided by the organisers at the Registration Desk. Please note that the badge is non-transferable and any violation of this policy may result in expulsion from the conference. We also ask for your patience and understanding if and when subjected to a security check upon your arrival to the conference. In case of an emergency please inform the nearest organising team member.
Presidential dinner – for attendees of the dinner, the organizers will arrange bus transport from the Radisson Blu Sky Hotel to the respective venue.
Tours – organizers will arrange the bus transportation to the chosen tour from Radisson Blu Sky Hotel.
Tallinn is the capital and the largest city of Estonia and is situated on the northern coast of the country, with waterway access to Gulf of Finland. Tallinn’s medieval Old Town is known around the world for its well-preserved completeness and authentic Hanseatic architecture. There is something for everyone in Tallinn: enchanting atmosphere, rich cultural scene, beautiful surroundings and plenty of galleries, cafes and restaurants to choose from.
Time – Estonia uses East-European Time, EET, which is one hour ahead of Central European Time, CET, in other words GMT+2 in winter and GMT+3 in summer.
Money and banks – From 2011, Estonia is using the Euro (EUR), the single European currency.
ATMs can be found all around Tallinn. Beware that an Estonian ATM first gives you your money and only then returns the card. Worse, you have to ask the machine to give your card back. Luckily for you, these machines speak English. Almost all businesses accept bank cards (even for the smallest payments) and the local people carry very little cash.
Internet – Although the popularity of WiFi is declining in favor of mobile data connection, public WiFi hotspots are commonplace in Tallinn. In particular, networks can be found in most = cafeterias or pubs. WiFI is also offered by all hotels.