The Åland Islands Peace Institute has developed an online college course – Territorial Autonomy as a Resource for Diversity & for Conflict Resolution – Lessons from the Åland Example 100 – on territorial self-governance using the Åland Islands as an example and case study.
This is an interdisciplinary course that takes a broad perspective on discussions of self-governance, self-determination, multi-level governance and the rights of minorities. It addresses Åland’s self-governance, demilitarisation and adoption of neutrality, as well as the culture and language guarantees necessary for any language and culture. Additionally, it discusses the importance of territorial autonomy as a possible tool for conflict resolution, e.g. as a possible solution to ethnopolitical conflicts.
This course is built upon international research and the Peace Institute’s extensive experience and publications.
The course, or parts of it, can be adapted and customised to one’s needs.
The course is taught online using a digital e-learning platform that offers a wide selection of resources including course literature, audiovisual material and a discussion forum. All the participants receive further instructions upon admission to the course.
The course is taught in English.
The course presumes that the students are interactive with the digital course platform.
The course is given in collaboration with Open University on Åland.
A bachelor’s degree in the humanities (political science, peace and conflict studies, international law, public administration or other relevant disciplines) or corresponding experience along with a proficient level of English are the recommended qualifications for successful participation.
Every module contains mandatory exercises that must be completed in order to proceed to the next module.
The course is managed and taught by Sia Spiliopoulou Åkermark, PhD, JD, director of the Åland Islands Peace Institute. Assistant teacher Dr. Alexander Osipov.
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The course was incredibly interesting and it gave me many new perspectives. It was particularly exciting to read documents from 1917-1921 when the Åland Island question was resolved, along with getting an overview of the international agreement that affects Åland today.
There is great international interest in diversity issues, the Åland Example, and how territorial self-governance can be used in conflict resolution. For example, we receive inquiries from Kashmir, Thailand and Indonesia. Additionally, there is a curiosity here in the Nordics about how self-government arrangements function. Not everyone interested is able to travel here nor would we have the capacity to receive them all. Thus, this course provides an opportunity for others to share in our knowledge.
