Ms. Maud Olofsson, former Minister for Enterprise and Deputy Prime Minister of the Swedish Government, former Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Center Party, now own entrepreneur and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Visita, a Swedish sector and employer’s organisation.
Mr. Pär Stenbäck, former Foreign Minister and Minister of Education of the Finnish Government, former Member of Parliament and Party Chairperson of the Swedish People’s Party, with extensive experience of leading positions and positions of trust within international bodies and organizations, including the International Crisis Group and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Geneva.
Mr. Göran Djupsund, Professor of Political Science and former Principal of Åbo Akademi University in Vaasa, with expertise in election and electoral behavior and an election commentator in Finnish-Swedish television for decades. In addition, he has also researched on political communication, media development, political behavior and the politicisation of the public sector.
Ms. Li Bennich-Björkman, Johan Skytte Professor of Eloquence and Political Science, affiliated with the Institute for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Uppsala University, and Chairperson of the Committee for the Johan Skytte Prize in Political Science. She has researched post-communist politics, research policy and creativity as well as life in exile. Furthermore, she features as a regular columnist in Swedish media, such as Upsala Nya Tidning and a political commentator in Svenska Dagbladet and TT.
The theme of this year, democracy, participation and the role of civil society, is important to discuss in a time where many question democracy or believe it to be weakened. We observe totalitarian tendencies in Europe and infringements of important democratic foundations. The interest in political parties is decreasing, as is voter turnout. Politicians and journalists are threatened for their opinions and work. At the same time, politicians occasionally express the opinion that they lack power to actually decide on significant issues or realising major projects. Globalisation of the economy and many cross-border issues, such as environmental or public health, place new demands on decision-making and collaboration. The citizens also take new initiatives and create new channels that enable common social projects. In addition, social media form both a threat as well as a means for new opportunities.
The Kastelholm talks in 2019 concern issues such as: What constitutes the core of democracy? Who are the most important guardians of democracy? What makes a democracy vital and sustainable? How can democracy and globalisation coexist? What is the role of civil society?
The Kastelholm talks consists of two parts. Firstly, a panel discussion is held at the castle of Kastelholm where the panel discuss this year’s theme under the guidance of a moderator. Secondly, the discussion continues in round table form at nearby restaurant, Smakbyn. The audience consists of a hundred invited guests from the local area, in addition to a number of open seats to which interested parties can register.
The Kastelholm talks aims to contribute to bring nuance to ongoing peace- and security policy debates, by providing scope for discussions on long-term perspectives and broader contexts on current phenomena and acute crises. The conversation should be a forum for dialogue, rather than debate, where knowledgeable speakers are given freedom and time to reflect together. The round table discussion provides space for the public to meet and discuss with politicians and experts in a relaxed environment. With the talks, the Åland Islands Peace Institute wants to highlight a peace perspective by identifying and discussing solutions and opportunities for peaceful coexistence between countries and regions.
The Kastelholm talks 2019 are carried out with support from: the Government of Åland, the Åland Parliament, the Consulate General of Sweden in Mariehamn, the Nordic Institute in Åland, the Swedish-Finnish Cultural Fundation as well as Åland Convention Bureau.
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