International symposium to amplify youth voices on Arctic
Youth leaders from around the Arctic will participate in an online international symposium next week that seeks to amplify their policy concerns and visions for the economic, environmental an political development of the North.
“From climate change adaptation to broadband connectivity to the rights of Indigenous peoples, Arctic youth leaders’ policy issues are Arctic policy issues,” the symposium says on their website.
The event, called The Arctic in 25 Years, will be put on by the Wilson Center’s Polar Institute in Washington, D.C. the Norwegian-based Arctic Frontiers secretariat and Indigenous groups of the Arctic Council, known as Permanent Participants, supported by the Indigenous Peoples’ Secretariat.
“Considering the Arctic Council’s 25th anniversary, now is an opportune time to reflect on the past quarter-century of Arctic cooperation and plan for the next,” Michaela Stith, Director of The Arctic in 25 Years initiative and a program assistant at the Polar Institute, told Eye on the Arctic.
“There are plenty of youth in the Arctic with the necessary credentials, experience and insight to contribute to policy in the region. In organizing this event, I hope to bring their expertise about the future of the region to the forefront of scholarship and policy discussion.”
Economics, climate, governance
The event will take place over two half days.
Panelists are being booked from all eight Arctic countries.
Organizers say the youth leaders will speak about everything from research, to policy, to subsistence lifestyles and hunting, and will discuss their visions for the Arctic.
The four panels planned include one on the Arctic Council Permanent Participant Youth Group, one on economic development, one of climate change and biodiversity and one on how Arctic governance should evolve to promote prosperity.
Those interested can sign up for the event on the Polar Institute website.
Write to Eilís Quinn at eilis.quinn(at)cbc.ca
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Greenland: International Inuit organization announces youth leadership award winners in honour of Hans-Pavia Rosing, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Arctic Council wants to up youth engagement on North, Eye on the Arctic
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