Night of Ideas 2026: The Many Faces of Inequality

On Tuesday, 26 May 2026, the French Institute of Estonia will organise a new edition of the Night of Ideas in Estonia.

Created by the French Institute in 2016, the Night of Ideas is an international event held every year in many countries around the world. The 2026 edition will mark the 11th edition of the event worldwide. It brings together intellectuals, researchers, artists, public officials, associations and citizens around major social issues, in an open, participatory and accessible format.

A few days before Thomas Piketty and Julia Cagé come to Tallinn for the HeadRead Literature Festival, this edition will focus on the theme of inequalities.

What kinds of inequalities can we identify in our societies today? How do economic, social, digital or gender inequalities manifest themselves in France and Estonia? Can artificial intelligence reduce certain inequalities, or does it risk reinforcing them? And are we always aware of our own biases when we talk about inequality?

Through this first edition, the French Institute of Estonia aims to open a space for reflection and dialogue around the many faces of inequalities, through a programme, all events are FREE and open to all, combining a film screening, a participatory workshop, a panel discussion and a convivial closing event.

Particular attention will also be paid to younger audiences, notably through schools and universities.

For any questions or partnership proposals, please feel free to contact us at the following email addresses: biken.ozdemir@ife.ee and solene.jouret@ife.ee. 

Programme – Tuesday, 26 May 2026

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Film Club 

Location: Sõprus Cinema, Tallinn

Screening of the documentary “Allons Enfants” by Thierry Demaizière and Alban Teurlai, which explores the realities of education and the school system in France by following students in various schools and settings. It serves as a starting point for discussing inequalities of opportunity from childhood onward and how the school system can either perpetuate or mitigate them. 

Reserve your free seat here 

4:30 pm – 6:30 pm | Workshop 

Global Inequality Workshop with Oxfam

Location: Institut Français d’Estonie – Kuninga tn 4, 10146 Tallinn

This participatory workshop, held in English and upon registration, will help participants better understand the different forms of inequality around the world and their consequences.

Present in more than 70 countries, Oxfam works to fight poverty and inequality through advocacy, humanitarian aid and awareness-raising activities. Its Global Inequality Workshop is a collaborative card-based format designed to explore, in an accessible way, the mechanisms and impacts of social, economic and environmental inequalities.

Click here to learn more about the Global Inequality Workshop.

Click here to register for the workshop.

6:45 pm – 7:30 pm | Break and refreshments

Location: Institut Français d’Estonie – Kuninga tn 4, 10146 Tallinn

A small free buffet, including drinks and snacks, will be available for participants.

7:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Panel Discussion

Topic: “ AI and Society: A Tool for Equality or a Risk of Division”

Location: Institut Français d’Estonie – Kuninga tn 4, 10146 Tallinn

With Piret Hirv, Head of the Data Governance Competence Centre at the e-Governance Academy, specialising in the use of AI and data governance in public services, and Myriam Raymond, lecturer and researcher at the University of Angers, specialising in transformations in work, digital platforms and AI, particularly AI workers, responsible AI and digital governance.

The discussion will be moderated by Kristen Davis, founder of CinqC (a strategic communications and event moderation firm), and a moderator specializing in AI, democracy, disinformation, cybersecurity, and technological cooperation; she has moderated discussions at the Tallinn Digital Summit and Latitude59, among other events.

The roundtable will be held in English. The discussion will focus on the social, economic and democratic impacts of artificial intelligence, particularly in relation to education, access to information, work and civic participation.

The discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A, including open-ended questions and short interactive polls.

Click here to register for the roundtable.

9:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Evening Party 

Location: Must Puudel Café

The evening will conclude in a friendly atmosphere with a collaborative playlist, where everyone will be able to suggest their favourite songs through a shared link.