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The 2023 webinar of our Annual Webinar Series "Discussing World Autonomies" focuses on "Autonomous Island Regions, Indigenous Peoples, and Self-Determination: Insights from Greenland and New Caledonia". Maria Ackrén (Associate Professor in Political Science at the University of Greenland) and Elisabeth Alber (Senior Researcher at the Institute for Comparative Federalism, Eurac Research) discussed with Sergiu Constantin (Senior Researcher at the Institute for Minority Rights, Eurac Research) the particularities and similarities of the two case studies. You can watch here the recording of the webinar.

The 11th episode features ECMI's Senior Researcher Dr. Felix Schulte talking to Dr. Dawn Walsh about territorial autonomy as a solution to violent ethnic conflicts. Specifically, they look into the role of guarantee mechanisms and independent commissions in such arrangements. Dr. Dawn Walsh is an Assistant Professor in the School of Politics and International Relations, and Director of the Institute for British-Irish Studies at University College Dublin. She is also currently the holder of an Irish Research Council Laureate Award for her project 'Power-sharing and independent commissions in post-conflict societies'. You can watch here the recording of this episode.

The Åland Islands Peace Institute has developed an online college course 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. The deadline for application is 2 September 2022. More information here.

By looking at various cases of autonomous and minority regions in Europe, the webinar aims to provide a comparative insight into processes of empowerment and securitization in minority contexts and to understand the extent to which these processes intersect with inter-state relations and sub-state cross-border cooperation activities. Insights from the Baltic states, Romania, Catalonia and the Basque Country will be discussed and compared, while also taking into account past and recent developments in South Tyrol.  The speakers are Noe Cornago (University of the Basque Country), Kristina Kallas (University of Tartu) and Andreea Udrea (University of Glasgow). You can watch here the recording of the webinar. 

Applications for the 2022 Summer School on Human Rights, Minorities and Diversity Governance are open! The focus of the 2022 edition is “Autonomy, Borders, Conflicts”. This two-week interdisciplinary programme combines lectures, workshops, roundtable discussions and study visits. It will take place I the period 4-15 July 2022 at the Institute for Minority Rights of Eurac Research in Bolzano/Bozen (Italy). The participants are postgraduate students, civil servants, NGO representatives, journalists and other practitioners. The deadline for application is 15 April 2022.  For online application and detailed information (about topics, speakers, fees, scholarships etc), see the summer school’s website.

The 2022 webinar of our Annual Webinar Series "Discussing World Autonomies" focuses on “Europe’s Most Durable Autonomies: The Åland Islands and South Tyrol”. These two successful autonomous regions are often mentioned as a source of inspiration for conflict resolution around the world. In 2022, Åland celebrates the centenary of autonomy while South Tyrol marks 50 years since the adoption of its Second Autonomy Statute. The speakers are Sia Spiliopoulou Åkermark (Associate Professor in International Law at Uppsala University and Director of the Åland Islands Peace Institute) and Elisabeth Alber (Senior Researcher at the Institute for Comparative Federalism, Eurac Research). You can watch here the recording of the webinar.