Why Estonia? The 30-year Journey from the USSR to e-Estonia

Despite a population of fewer than 1.5 million, Estonia has emerged as a global leader in e-governance. From ID cards and digital voting to online tax declarations and thriving tech startups, Estonia’s remarkable digital evolution is a testament to visionary decisions and strategic leadership.
This transformation wasn’t inevitable. After regaining independence in the early 1990s, Estonia faced the challenges of rebuilding after 50 years of Soviet occupation. The exhibit, a collaboration between the Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom and Stanford Libraries, explores Estonia’s journey from its historical roots to its digital success, highlighting achievements and challenges along the way.
The exhibit runs from April 2 to August 22, 2025, in Green Library’s Hohbach Hall. This exhibit is free and open to the public. Learn more about visiting Stanford Libraries on our website.
From April to May, Stanford Libraries hosts three public talks exploring e-Estonia’s history, achievements, challenges, and the potential applicability of its e-governance model in the U.S.:
April 2, 2025: Exhibit Opening Featuring a Talk by Luukas Ilves, “What the world’s most digital country can teach us about government efficiency and effectiveness?”
April 15, 2025: Talk by Aro Velmet, “The Information Revolution: How Estonian Cyberneticians Invented the Information Age in the Soviet Empire”
May 7, 2025: Book Talk with Joel Burke, “Rebooting a Nation: The Incredible Rise of Estonia, E-Government and the Startup Revolution”