This one-week course explores current theories and policies guiding Indigenous peoples´ rights to their cultural heritage (CH). It provides students with perspectives of the central concepts of Indigenous peoples´ rights, and a framework of the interplay between Indigenous peoples’ CH, intellectual property rights regulation and data governance issues, and related ethical considerations. The course addresses the main challenges and developments of new policies and legislation in the field.

The International School “Indigenous Rights, Responsibilities and Ethics” is organised by the project “Indigenous Cultures in Evolution: Governing Rights and Responsibilities through Sustainable Law and Ethics (INCLUSION)”. INCLUSION is a project funded by the Team Finland Knowledge programme. It is coordinated by the University of Lapland (Faculty of Law and Arctic Center), with partners from the University of Helsinki (Faculty of Law) and the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (Graduate School). The project aims to promote education, teaching and learning on the law and ethical issues at the crossroads of the regulation and governance of Indigenous peoples’ rights to their culture, with particular focus on the digitisation of Indigenous peoples’ cultural heritage. (see: https://research.ulapland.fi/en/projects/indigenous-cultures-in-evolution-governing-rights-and-responsibil).

The International School will be fully conducted in English. A proficient level of that language will be needed to fulfill its requirements.

Who can participate?

Students (advanced BA and Msc level) and/or BA and Msc level researchers from universities, research institutions or civil society organizations located in Finland or in Peru, from the field of law or Indigenous studies. Indigenous representatives are particularly encouraged to apply to the programme.

How to apply?

Please apply via a dedicated online application system (will be provided later) by submitting:
1) Application form accessible through this link: https://link.webropolsurveys.com/S/79D898D3613B7E69

2) Mandatory attachments:
a. Motivation letter (maximum one page)
b. CV (1 page)
c. Certificates of studies (including grades). This requirement can be waived for Indigenous representatives without certificate of studies, who can submit a short statement to that effect (see below Selection Criteria).

When to apply?

Application period is from 2.4.2024 to 23.4.2024 at 23.59 hours EET (UTC +3).

Scholarships

A maximum of 35 students will have the opportunity to attend the summer school.
The course is free of charge for all the students that are accepted.

Through the INCLUSION project, we offer the possibility for six (6) students from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Peru (PUCP) to apply for a scholarship to cover travel costs and accommodation. This scholarship can only be awarded to law students currently enrolled at PUCP at undergraduate and Master programs. Students from PUCP will be granted a lump sum of 1900 Euros in total per student that can be used to cover travel, accommodation or living expenses. Students should keep the original copies of the receipts for themselves in case they are needed. The payment of the scholarship will be processed after arrival to the School in Rovaniemi in the bank account that the student will have to provide.

Selection criteria

The following criteria will be applied in selecting students to the programme:
- Interest and career outlooks on the topic;
- Number of credits and grades;
- Indigenous representatives can submit a statement on prior experience with issues related to the International School to fulfill this latter criterion;
- The School expects to assign about 20% of placements for Indigenous representatives, who are particularly encouraged to apply.

When will you be informed?

Selected students will be contacted individually by email by 20.5.2024. Selected students will have to accept the scholarship by 27.5.2024.

Travel requirements

International students need to make their own travel and accommodation arrangements. Support for travel and accommodation arrangements will be provided by the international office of the University of Lapland.

All international students need insurance that is valid throughout their stay at the University of Lapland in Finland. International students need to make their own arrangements and payments in this respect.
International students are responsible for making sure that they comply with visa and other travel requirements to Finland that may apply to their case.

Transcript of credits and certificate

Upon successful completion of the summer school, students in partner Finnish universities will be granted 5ECTS by their own university. The University of Lapland will issue a certificate to all students that have successfully passed the course. Students must ensure that their university allows transfer of these credits.