The Åland Islands Peace Institute has developed an online college course – Territorial Autonomy as a Tool for Diversity Management – Lessons from the Åland Example at 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. In 2021-2022 the centenary anniversary of the Åland Example is celebrated and is used as a main case study. We will discuss the demilitarisation and neutralisation, the autonomy regime as well the cultural and linguistic safeguards involved. A focus will be on the development of the regime over time, including more recent developments and comparative elements. The course will also discuss the relevance of territorial autonomy as a possible tool for conflict resolution. Students shall be encouraged to critically reflect upon the relevant institutions and their role today.
This course is built upon international research and the Peace Institute’s extensive experience and publications.
The course will be taught online on a digital e-learning platform through a rich selection of resources including course literature, audio and video material and a discussion forum. All participants will receive further instructions upon admission to the course. The course presupposes an interactive use of the digital course platform by the students. The language of instruction is English. The course is offered in a cooperation between the Åland Islands Peace Institute and the Open University/Åland University of Applied Sciences.
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.
Registration is done by sending an email to open@ha.ax containing the following information:
The course registration is now opened!
The E-course will be held in autumn 2022, duration: 03.10.2022 – 30.12.2022.
Deadline: 02.09.2022
The course is managed and taught by Sia Spiliopoulou Åkermark, PhD, JD, director of the Åland Islands Peace Institute. Assisted by Dr. Alexander Osipov.
Deadline: 02.09.2022
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.