Search
KASTELHOLM TALKS
RESEARCH
THE ÅLAND EXAMPLE
JASS

E-Course on the Åland Example

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.

Module Themes:

  1. Political and institutional solutions for autonomy
  2. Language guarantees, diversity issues and local citizenship aspects, such as the right of domicile
  3. Security perspectives, local and interstate security tools, including policing, demilitarisation and neutralisation
  4. The challenges of multi-level governance and regional integration processes
  5. Conflict resolution tools and case studies

A bachelor’s degree in the humanities (political science, peace and conflict studies, international law, public administration, or other relevant disciplines) or equivalent experience, along with a proficient level of English, is the recommended qualification for successful participation.

Every module contains mandatory exercises that must be completed in order to proceed to the next module.

Register yourself here

For questions about course content and schedule: [email protected]

For questions about course fees: [email protected]

8 September 2026

100 €

Course Leader & Lead Teacher: Hasan Akintug, doctoral researcher at the Center for Nordic Studies, University of Helsinki, together with scholars specialised in various themes of the course

Examiner: Kjell-Åke Nordquist, Professor, University College Stockholm

Coordinator: Zander Willoughby, Research Assistant at the Åland Islands Peace Institute

The Åland Islands Peace Institute has developed an online English-language college course –

Social Science and Law: Territorial Autonomy, Diversity & Conflict Management – Experiences from the Åland Islands and Worldwide, 5 ECTS

– on territorial autonomy, using Åland as an example and case study.

The course is interdisciplinary and discusses autonomy from a broad perspective, including self-determination, multilevel governance, and minority rights. It addresses Åland’s autonomy, demilitarization, and neutralization, as well as the cultural and linguistic guarantees for language and culture. The significance of territorial autonomy as a potential tool for conflict resolution—for example, as a possible solution to ethnopolitical conflicts—is also discussed.

The course is based on international research and the Peace Institute’s extensive experience and publications.

The course, or parts of it, can also be customized and offered on request.

Learn more & register

E-course autumn 2026 - registration is open

Welcome to apply next time!

Keep an eye out in our newsletter and on our social media for the next registration period.

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.

Ida JanssonParticipant in the pilot round, Spring '15

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.

Sia Spiliopoulou Åkermark