The Åland Islands Peace Institute, in cooperation with Folkhälsan på Åland, participates in the project “Kärlek börjar inte med bråk” – “Love does not start with fighting”. The project aims at triggering the discussion about sexual harrasment in schools and strengthening the students’ respect for their own and their fellow students’ physical integrity. The concept of the course has been developed by Malin Gustavsson. In 2008-2009 the course is offered to all 7-grade classes on Åland. The course comprises two seminars held by educated trainers from Folkhälsan på Åland and the Åland Islands Peace Institute. Within the courses trainers and students discuss what is ment by sexual harassment and sexualised mobbing, which appearances it can take and which consequences sexualised insults and actions can have. The students reflect on situations in their school-life and thereby increase their consciousness and learn how to handle these issues. The courses are funded by the school department of the Government of Åland within the framework of the project “Skolfreden på Åland” – “Peace in Schools on Åland”. Thus far Justina Donielaite from the Åland Islands Peace Institute and Petra Berg from Folkhälsan på Åland have held courses in schools in Strandnäs and Kyrkby. In February 2009 they will visit the elementary schools on Föglö, Kumlinge and Brändö.
