SKY Peace School 2025 took place from February to June 2025, bringing together 25 participants from diverse academic backgrounds. Among them were both Finnish-born participants and friends with immigrant backgrounds, creating a space where different perspectives enriched the learning process. This unique combination allowed participants to approach peace-related issues from multiple angles while also fostering mutual understanding and integration.
Objectives of the School
The SKY Peace School is built on the belief that peace is not only the work of policymakers or academics – it is a living, shared responsibility. The objectives of the school are:
- To raise awareness of peace and conflict-related issues in our current world.
- To motivate peaceful actions in personal, community, and global contexts.
- To bridge academic knowledge and real life, making research in peace studies accessible to non-experts.
- To observe how peace research resonates with people from different academic and professional backgrounds – from environmental science to education, arts, and activism.
- To provide a space where like-minded individuals can connect, learn from each other, and potentially collaborate on future peace-oriented projects.
Throughout the program, participants explored various peace-related themes through a mix of case studies, theoretical frameworks, and practical insights, offering a comprehensive understanding of both global and local peace dynamics.
Reflections from Participants
“This Peace School gave me a much deeper understanding of what peacebuilding truly means in practice. The case studies, especially those from the Caucasus and Africa, opened my eyes to the complexity and importance of inclusive approaches.”
“Every lecture brought new knowledge, but also raised important questions. I’ve learned so much that I can now bring back to my own community work.”
“I had never thought peace could be studied through so many angles – history, politics, activism, and even journalism. I feel much more prepared to take peaceful action in my everyday life.”
Speakers and Lecture Themes
- Dr. Vadim Romashov (University of Eastern Finland): The Crisis of Liberal Peacebuilding
- Dr. Karim Maiche (University of Lapland): Construction of Citizenship in the Everyday Urban Encounters in the Context of the West?
- Marina Danoyan (CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Foundation): Building Peace in an Inclusive Way
- Rony Ojajärvi (University of Eastern Finland): Having Faith in Peace – Learning from the Long History of Peace Movements in Finland
- Dr. Sergey Rumyantsev (CISR-Berlin): ”The Citadel of Conversation about ’This'”: Militaristic Traditions, Practices, and Narratives at Schools and Beyond (Russia and Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Armenia)
- Jalihenna Mohamed (Expert from Western Sahara): Natural Resources and Peace Processes: The Case of Africa’s Last Colony, Western Sahara
- Dr. Sevil Huseynova (CISR-Berlin): ”Who Would Have Thought This Would Happen!”: The Karabakh Conflict, the Origins of Violence, and Mutual Help – Late Soviet Years to 1990
- Prof. Tuomo Melasuo (Emeritus Professor, TAPRI, Tampere University): The History of Peace Research and the Chaotic International Order in 2025
- Dr. Bonn Juego (University of Jyväskylä): Mobilizing for Peace: Fighting the New Securitization Agenda in the Era of Trump 2.0
- Behzad Fatmi (Secretary General, Indialogue Foundation – India): Peacebuilding through Advocacy, Journalism, and Humanitarian Aid
- Ari Kerkkänen (Docent, University of Turku): A Voice from the Field – Reflections over Three Decades
- Kerttu Matinpuro (Peace & Environmental Activist): Bringing Peace and Environmental Activism Together in Finland and Beyond
A Special Thanks
This year’s program was coordinated by three outstanding young volunteers – Oona, Imran, and Nermin – whose dedication and teamwork helped ensure the smooth running of every part of the school. On behalf of SKY, we extend our sincere thanks and appreciation for their invaluable contribution.
Closing at Oodi Library
SKY Peace School 2025 concluded with a heartfelt graduation ceremony at Helsinki’s Oodi Library on June 7th, bringing together participants, lecturers, and peacebuilders to reflect on this shared journey. The program offered not only academic learning but also emotional and personal insights – proving that peace is best cultivated through dialogue, shared experiences, and commitment to action.
With peace,
The SKY Team