The Visby Programme

THE VISBY PROGRAMME SUMMER UNIVERSITY 2008

a) Name of the course: A Meeting on the Border without Borders Course organizer: Svefi Academy (Sverigefinska folkhögskolan) b) Dates for the course: 18th – 31st August 2008 c) Course Description: The focus for the course is a borderless sustainable society and our own border region as an example, its development throughout the history and its significance on a local, regional and global level. These are the subjects of the course combined with lectures on the Swedish society, adult education, politics, border region’s cultures, regional cooperation between Sweden and Finland, minorities and the EU strategies for the bordering countries, how people themselves can influence the development of their community in a positive way. Together we will compare geographical and human boundaries with the borders and boundaries in the participants’ home countries. Environmental issues and critical evaluation of information and sources are also very important areas for a sustainable society, which are also a part of this course. d) Course objectives/Learning outcomes:

The course will provide the participants with the information on Swedish society, culture, politics, public administration, regional cooperation and cooperation between the EU countries as well as EU strategies for the bordering countries. The course is aimed at better understanding of the sustainable society, critical evaluation of the information, environmental policies and minority issues. e) Preliminary schedule is available at: http://www.svefi.net/su/Schedule_080818-31_Upd_071207.xls f) Name and short presentation of teaching staff: From Svefi: Alexey Usov, lecturer and course leader Raija Hiivala, lecturer, adult education Sari Angeria, lecturer, adult education Stig Hedlund, lecturer, sound engineer and project leader Henry Ollinen, Social Studies teacher, responsible for excursions and free time activities Olga Antufieva, music teacher Johanna Wennerström, language teacher

Svenska institutet Swedish Institute Institut suédois Schwedisches Institut Instituto sueco Skeppsbron 2, Box 7434, SE-103 91 Stockholm, Sweden Phone: +46 (0)8 453 78 00 Fax: +46 (0)8 20 72 48 e-mail: [email protected] www.si.se Postal Account: 955739-8 Bank Account: 5210-3892 VAT: SE202100496101 External lecturers: Lars Elenius, Ph.D., Docent, Lecturer at Luleå University of Technology Peter Waara, Ph.D., Docent, Lecturer at Luleå University of Technology Toivo Hofslagare, University lecturer, former Chairman of the County Council Tytti Isohookana-Asunmaa, Dr of Political Science, University of Oulu Örjan Pekka, MD Haparandabladet, Chief Editor of the local newspaper Anna Ibrisagich, EU politician, Swedish representative in the EU Parlament Staffan Svanberg, Lecturer on environmental issues, consultant, Haparanda Malcolm Dixelius, journalist, expert on Eastern Europe Lars Spolander member of the City Council of Haparanda / Stig Kerttu, Business Recruitment and Development, City of Haparanda Bo Engdahl, Swedish UN Association, board member. g) Different pedagogical approaches will be used by the lecturers leading the course. The course will combine different forms like lectures, workshops, discussions and seminar tasks or assignments to be solved in groups or individually and followed up by presentations. Participants are guaranteed at least four lectures/work shops of 40 minutes with teachers during five days a week. Moreover, the participants will have guided assignments, workshops and study visits. The working hours will be between 8.30-15.30. Outside these times, participants will work on their assignments and there will be excursions, free time activities and entertainment including national evenings for all participating countries. h) Participant background: Participants who have majors in social and political science, cultural studies, journalism and related spheres are most likely to benefit from the course, however students with other majors are also welcomed if they find that the subject areas of the course are int the scope of their study interests. Please be aware that in order to accommodate the interests of the students with different educational backgrounds no extra priority is given to just one specific subject area. As you will see from the schedule the layout of the course is quite balanced between the subject areas. i) Study visits at Haparanda city hall and other local companies like, Polarica (www.polarica.se), D-Link Technical Testing and Support Centre for Nordic Countries (www.dlink.se), will be part of the programme, as well as a visit to Luleå and Luleå old town. A day trip to the Arctic Circle, appr. 100 kilometres north of Haparanda, is a natural part for the course participants. Then we will visit both Santa Claus and enjoy the beautiful nature of the Torne River valley in both Finland and Sweden. j) Literature list is available from the course-web site: http://www.svefi.net/su/literature.list.doc k) Assessment In order for participants to receive a course certificate, full attendance is required at lectures and workshops. Also seminar assignments have to be completed and approved.

Practical information a) Contact e-mail addresses: Svefi’s reception: [email protected] For assistance and arrangements: Ragni Huhta ([email protected]) and Alexei Usov [email protected] If you mail directly to personal mail boxes send a CC (carbon copy) to [email protected] to get a prompt reply. b) Arrival date: 18th August 2008 (Monday morning) Departure date: 31st August 2008 (Noon) c) How to get to the course:

On the site for the course www.svefi.net/su/travel.html you will find a detailed explanation and maps showing location and how to get to Svefi Academy. The course will be held in Haparanda, Sweden. The address of the Svefi Academy is Torget 3, 95331 Haparanda, which is in the very centre of the town.

Since Haparanda is situated on the border to Finland, The cheapest way to travel to us is by bus or train via Finland. Tornio, the Finnish town, is situated just on the other side of the river, and the town centres are just 500 meters away from each other. Another Finnish town nearby is Kemi. It is situated appr. 25 kilometres away from Haparanda. You can travel to Kemi by train from St. Petersburg or Moscow with one change along the route. d) Links to bus, train and air companies for travelling

Travel via Finland

By air The closest airport is in Kemi. From Kemi there is bus transportation to Tornio. You can fly to Kemi from Helsinki. See www.finnair.com.

By bus You can also travel by bus to Kemi or Tornio. See www.expressbus.fi.

Travel via Sweden

By train You can travel by train from Stockholm for example. See www.connex.se.

By air Should you choose to travel to us via Sweden, the closest airport is in Luleå, appr. 130 kilometres from Haparanda. From Luleå you can take a bus to Haparanda. You can fly to Luleå from Stockholm. See www.scandinavian.net and www.flynordic.com

By bus You can also travel by a direct bus from Stockholm to Haparanda. See www.tapanis.se (information is only available in Swedish). e) What to bring? It is hard to predict what kind of weather we are going to have in the very end of August as it might be anything from + 10 C and heavy rains to + 28 C when it is sunny and quite warm. You are advised to have proper clothing for the worst scenario of course. Please take proper shoes and clothing for outside sports activities. In order to prepare for the national evenings you are encouraged to take with you things, clothing and attributes that will help you prepare the national evenings.

About the Course Organizer a) Web address for the course: www.svefi.net/su Web address of the Svefi Academy: www.svefi.net (Information is available in English and Russian) b) Profile of the course organiser: Svefi Academy is an independent adult education centre founded in 1973. It is characterized by flexibility and possibility to study according to students’ needs and interests. The working methods secure rapid adjustments of study plans whenever needed. The students’ wishes and individual needs for support and tutoring are the starting point in every study programme. Svefi Academy offers a number

Svenska institutet Swedish Institute Institut suédois Schwedisches Institut Instituto sueco Skeppsbron 2, Box 7434, SE-103 91 Stockholm, Sweden Phone: +46 (0)8 453 78 00 Fax: +46 (0)8 20 72 48 e-mail: [email protected] www.si.se Postal Account: 955739-8 Bank Account: 5210-3892 VAT: SE202100496101 of different 1 to 3 year courses; among them are courses in Art, Interior Design, Music, Sound Engineering, Lighting Design, Performance Art, a General course etc. There is also a great variety of short courses and distance courses that are arranged throughout the year. c) Svefi Academy (Sverigefinska folkhögskolan), Haparanda, Sweden. We are situated on the border to Finland, just a few hundred meters from the centre of our Finnish twin town Tornio. Svefi Academy was originally founded for the Finnish immigrants who needed to improve their level of knowledge. Now the target group has been widened and Svefi Academy has students not only from Sweden but also from the Barents region and other countries. Svefi Academy carries through the principles of liberal adult education which is free from government intervention and has its roots in popular movements. It contributes to raising the level of education, to bridging the gaps of learning level, to broadening the interest in culture and to increasing people’s social commitment. That is to strengthen and develop democracy. d) Staff: Eivor Olofsson, principal Alexey Usov, lecturer and course leader Stig Hedlund, lecturer sound engineering Sari Angeria, lecturer, adult education Raija Hiivala, lecturer, adult education Henry Ollinen, Social Studies teacher, responsible for excursions and free time activities Olga Antufieva, music teacher Johanna Wennerström, language teacher Marika Loper och Ragni Huhta, responsible for accommodation and emergency issues e) Premises: Svefi Academy is situated at the central square in Haparanda. The study environment is genuine and inspiring. The premises hold a library, gym, 2 saunas, 3 music halls, 3 sound studios, 4 computer rooms with Internet connection, 10 class rooms and 6 working rooms. The teaching premises hold 50 computers with Internet connection available for the students during daytime. The school’s dormitory, conference centre and restaurant Minerva together constitute a part of the school’s activities and contribute to an increased social fellowship.