The course in Media and Democratic Participation for young journalists from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, the UK, Sweden and Åland took place in February 2008. The course focused on minorities, freedom of expression, local media and democratic participation. The course was partially funded by the EU youth programme. Contributing were among others Gunnar Jansson (the European Council), Sia Spiliopoulou Åkermark (the Åland Islands Peace Institute), Barbro Teir (editor of Hufvudstadsbladet and Volt), Rhodri Williams (guest researcher, the Åland Islands Peace Institute), Salla Nazarenko (project leader, IWPR), Robert Hårdh (human rights lawyer and secretary general, Swedish Helsinki Committee), as well as Ålandic journalists, politicians and civil servants.
