On October 24th 2007, the Åland Islands Peace Institute arranged a seminar about the position of autonomous regions within the EU. The seminar focused on the development of the autonomy legislation in Spain and on the challenges of the Ålandic autonomy. The seminar was arranged in the Parliament Building in Mariehamn, Åland Islands. The seminar was conducted in English.

Constitutions, Autonomies and the EU. Seminar in Mariehamn, October 24th 2007
13.00 Welcoming words and Opening of the Seminar
Sia Spiliopoulou Åkermark, Director, the Åland Islands Peace Institute
13.10 The recent process of reform of the statutes of autonomy in Spain and issues concerning their constitutionality
Professor Carlos Flores Juberías, University of Valencia
14.00 The evolution of autonomy in the Basque country – experiences and trends
Professor Eduardo J. Ruiz Vieytez, Institute of Human Rights, Deusto
14.50 Coffee – Tea
15.15 The role and perspectives of Spanish regions in EU matters and institutions
Professor Iñigo Bullain, University of the Basque Country
16.05 The challenges of developing the Ålandic autonomy in the shadow of the EU. Opportunities and setbacks
Roger Nordlund, Head of the Government of Åland
16.30 The role of the Åland Parliament in EU matters
Susanne Eriksson, Assistant Parliamentary Director, the Åland Parliament
16.55 Implementation of EU legislation in the Åland Islands
Sören Silverström, Head of the EU Department, the Government of Åland
17.20-17.45 General discussion

The seminar programme can also be downloaded here.