The Åland Islands Peace Institute conducts projects and research into peace and conflict issues in a broadly defined sense from the vantage-point of Åland and the special status that Åland enjoys under international law. The institute focuses on security, autonomy and minorities.
The Åland Islands Peace Institute has evaluated its educational activities for teachers within the projects “Fredsfostran” (foster peace) and “Skolfred” (peace in schools) which took place between 2005 and 2008. The results have been published in a report by Sanna Roos, PhD candidate in pedagogies at the University of Turku. The report also addresses the future need for further educational activities.The evaluation revealed that it is rather challenging for teachers to implement the methods learnt during the courses within the schools regular activities. To increase their effectiveness future courses should have a great practical value and very concrete points of departure, such as “expression of feelings”, “practical management of conflicts” and “cooperation with parents” . In addition to basic training in conflict-management methods, there is a great demand for training courses allowing teachers to develop their skill in this area. The need for an active network for peace education is needed on Åland in order to guarantee an effective implementation of conflict management methods in Ålandic schools. The evaluation was based on data that had been collected among course participants through an electronic survey in fall 2009. The recommendations made with regard to future courses are based on a paper survey which had been sent to all teachers in Ålandic elementary schools in fall 2009.
