Democracy is a hot topic of discussion – in the news, in public debate and around the kitchen table. But what does the research say? How do we actually measure the strength of democracy and the extent of polarisation? How can we know whether it is decreasing or increasing? How clear-cut are the trends, and how does democracy in Finland compare with other parts of the world? To what extent do we see polarisation within Finland? Welcome to an open seminar where three researchers – Professors Kimmo Grönlund and Kim Strandberg from Åbo Akademi University and Åsa von Schoultz from the University of Helsinki – will share the latest research on the development of democracy and social polarisation. Together, they will talk about current trends and discuss the state of democracy. The seminar is part of the Finland-Swedish Research School’s two-day visit to Åland. It is hosted by the Åland Peace Institute in collaboration with the Åland University of Applied Sciences and the Government of Åland. The visit has received support from the Swedish Literature Society in Finland. The Finland-Swedish Research School is a network for doctoral students in political science at Swedish-language educational institutions in Finland. The research school’s
The theme day “Självstyrelse – från insidan och utsidan”, organized in collaboration between the Åland Islands Peace Institute and the Åland University of Applied Sciences, offered a rich exchange of ideas, reflections, and perspectives. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated – speakers, moderators, guests on site, and those who joined us online. If you missed the live broadcast or wish to revisit any part of the event, the full recording is available here.
Here you can watch the theme day on self-government broadcast live from the Åland University of Applied Sciences. The broadcast starts at 9:30 a.m. Welcome!
Do you want to know more about methods across the Nordic countries to deal with conflicts and crime situations involving young people? Join us for a lunch seminar with Nordic experts. Opening words by Deputy Minister Annika Hambrudd. Tanja Rönnberg, Save the Children Åland/Children’s Internet (AX) In co-operation with young people in Åland, fictitious crime and conflict scenarios have been developed that serve as objects of analysis. Nina Wroldsen, Trygg Læring (NO) Trygg Læring is an organisation that works for a good psychosocial learning environment and restorative conflict work throughout the education system, from kindergarten to upper secondary school. Jacob Wennerholm and Niklas Hägg, mediators Södertälje municipality (SE) The municipality offers mediation and conflict management when the perpetrator is young… The aim is to reduce the level of conflict and stop the spiral of violence. Moderator: Petra Granholm, Åland Islands Peace Institute Language: Scandinavian There will be time afterwards for discussions with several Nordic actors in the field of restorative justice until 13.00. Possibility to have lunch at cost price, come in good time to pick up food. The lunch seminar is organised as part of an inter-Nordic expert seminar on restorative justice in Åland 12-14 May. The seminar will
Recent years have seen major and rapid shifts in the security policy landscape. Questions about security are appearing more and more often in the media, public debate and perhaps even in our own minds. But what does security policy actually mean? What is security and insecurity? Who or what should security policy protect? And is everyone allowed to talk about security policy or are only some allowed to speak? Linus Hagström is Professor of Political Science at the Swedish National Defense University and currently Visiting Professor at the Department of Political Science at Stockholm University. Hagström’s research focuses on security policy and great power relations, often with a focus on issues of identity, narrative, emotion and power. In October 2024 he published the anthology Är Sverige säkert nu? Perspectives on NATO and Swedish security policy On Monday, April 28 at 18.00, you have the chance to hear more about his research and thoughts. It will be an evening lecture at Mariehamn City Library on Swedish security policy change over the past three years – both how it can be understood and what problems and risks there may be with it – and how to possibly navigate the situation that has
Meet our second guest in our podcast series “Before the Kastelholm Peace Talks 2025” Minna Kukkonen-Karlander. Minna Kukkonen-Karlander is Senior Manager at Crisis Management Initiative’s (CMI) Asia Programme since August 2021, focusing on North East and South East Asia. Prior to that, she worked as a manager and advisor in several of CMI’s mediation and conflict resolution activities in sub-Saharan Africa and Indonesia. Between 2011 and 2018, she worked as an advisor to President Ahtisaari, supporting him in his global initiatives and commitments related to conflict resolution, peacebuilding and sustainable development. She has over ten years of experience in peace mediation and conflict resolution, policy advice and practical implementation. Ms Kukkonen-Karlander holds a Master of Laws (LLM) from Uppsala University specialising in International Law. Listen to the podcast here or click on the audio clip below. Don’t miss this year’s Kastelholm peace talks on 27 March. We will be broadcasting the talks live from the castle here on our website at 14.15 EEST.
Meet Anders Lidén – our first guest in the podcast series ‘Towards the Kastelholm Talks 2025’. Anders Lidén is a former Ambassador and Counsellor for Foreign Affairs at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Mr Lidén has been head of Sweden’s UN delegation in New York and ambassador in Helsinki, among other places. He has studied history and political science and over the years has accumulated extensive knowledge of Middle Eastern issues and experience from peace negotiations and the UN Security Council. Anders Lidén was appointed by the Swedish government in 2023 as chairman of the Truth Commission for the Sami People and is a member of the Peace Institute’s board. At the Kastelholm peace Talks, our speakers often discuss the long lines. In this podcast, we took the chance to talk to Anders Lidén about things that are topical right now. We took our theme ‘Diplomacy in our time’ literally and talked about the live broadcast from the Oval Office and the diplomacy we’ve seen played out in the open in recent weeks. The conversation was recorded on 3 March. Listen to the podcast here or click on the audio clip below. Don’t miss this year’s Kastelholm peace talks