Programme
Below you may find the programme for the most recent edition of the Arctic Futures Symposium which took place on November 28th & 29th 2023.
Registration and Welcome Coffee
Welcome From the Organisers
Welcome to the 14th Arctic Futures Symposium from the organisers: the International Polar Foundation and their many Arctic stakeholder partners!
Speakers
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Nicolas Van Hoecke
Managing Director, International Polar Foundation
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Alain Hubert
Founder and President, International Polar Foundation
Opening Keynotes
Four keynote speeches will open this year's symposium.
Speakers
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Maria Varteressian
State Secretary of Norway
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Helena Köning
Deputy Secretary General for Economic and Global Issues, European External Action Service
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Charlina Vitcheva
Director-General, Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), European Commission
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Hjalmar Dahl
President, Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC), Greenland
Managing the Challenges of a Changing Arctic
This panel will discuss how cooperation on the Arctic Council, in research and in business will function going forward within the current geopolitical situation.
Moderators
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Jan-Gunnar Winther
Pro-Rector Research and Development, UiT the Arctic university of Norway
Speakers
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Morten Høglund
Norway's Ambassador for the Arctic; Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials of the Arctic Council
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Petteri Vuorimäki
Senior Arctic Official, Ambassador, Arctic Affairs, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
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Anna Hamrell
Senior Advisor for Arctic Affairs, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden
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Mads Qvist Frederiksen
Executive Director, Arctic Economic Council
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Corine Wood-Donnelly
Associate Professor of International Relations and the High North, Nord University; Scientific Coordinator, JUSTNORTH project
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Coffee Break
Avenues for Arctic Cooperation
This panel will look at how various Arctic stakeholders have shifted the focus of their international cooperation efforts with regard to the Arctic in practical terms given the current geopolitical situation.
Moderators
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Anu Fredrikson
Executive Director, Arctic Frontiers
Speakers
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Jeannette Menzies
Ambassador of Canada to Iceland
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Clara Ganslandt
Special Envoy for Arctic Matters, European External Action Service
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Piotr Rakowski
Senior Advisor for Arctic Policy, Polish Ministry for Foreign Affairs
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Elle Merete Omma
Head of EU Unit, Saami Council
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Mika Riipi
County Governor, Regional Council of Lapland, Finland
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Coffee Break
A Safe and Secure Arctic
This session will look at Arctic security issues from different perspectives.
Moderators
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Marisol Maddox
Senior Arctic Analyst, Wilson Center Polar Institute
Speakers
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Samu Paukkunen
Acting Director, Finnish Institute of International Affairs
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Hans Peder Kirkegaard
Phd Student in Security Policy, University of Greenland
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Tracy Smith
Brigadier General, Air National Guard; Deputy Dean, Ted Stevens Center School of Arctic and Climate Security Studies
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Isak Utsi
Mayor of Arjeplog, Sweden
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Cocktail Reception at Norway House (separate registration required to attend this cocktail)
Registration and Welcome Coffee
Keynote
A keynote speech will open the second day of the Arctic Futures Symposium
Speakers
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Dag Rune Olsen
Rector, UiT the Arctic University of Norway
Cultivating Arctic Communities
This panel will look at how to develop / attract and keep a skilled Arctic workforce, build healthy Arctic communities, cultivate sustainable businesses, and create a good quality of life that respects the environment and traditional livelihoods.
Moderators
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Patti Bruns
Secretary-General, Arctic Mayors Forum
Speakers
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Kristen Tanche
Regional Director of Health & Wellness, Dehcho First Nations, Alumni of the Jane Glassco Northern Fellowship
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Brynjar Andersen Saus
Project Leader, UiT the Arctic University of Norway
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Bjarni í Liða
Risk Officer, Bank Nordik
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Mirja Vehkaperä
Chair of the City Board, Oulu, Finland; Member, EU Committee of the Regions
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Päivi Ekdahl
Development Director, Regional Council of Lapland
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Presentation of the Laurence Trân Arctic Futures Award
The International Polar Foundation and the Trân Family will present this year's winners of the Laurence Trân Arctic Futures Award.
Moderators
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Nicolas Van Hoecke
Managing Director, International Polar Foundation
Mads Qvist Frederiksen
Executive Director, Arctic Economic Council
Brigitte Trân-Loustau
Representative from the Trân Family
Anja Márjá Nystø Keskitalo
Advisor EU Unit, Saami Council
Hanna Moen Reinsnes
Executive Director, Gobmi
Live Moen Johannessen
Creative Director, Gobmi
Lunch
Arctic Youth: Meeting Challenges and Creating Opportunities
This panel will look at challenges youth in the Arctic face, how they are meeting those challenges, and how they are making positive contributions to their communities.
Moderators
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Krista Perälä
Student and student advocate, University of Lapland
Speakers
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Kristian Iversen
Chair of Bodø Youth Council; yoUNG2024
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Naja-Theresia Høegh
Law Student, Member of OCT Youth; Intern at Greenland Representation in Copenhagen
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Jackson Blackwell
Graduate Student, Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs; Advisor, Arctic Encounter
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Vetle Bo Saga
Political Advisor to the Mayor of Tromsø
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Coffee Break
Leveraging Arctic Resources for a Just Green Transition
The Arctic, with its abundant natural resources, can play a pivotal role in enabling the EU to achieve its net-zero objectives and reshoring their supply chains in a just and sustainable manner. The EU has the CRM Act to facilitate this transition, but what will reshoring supply chains in the Arctic look like? As green industrial projects gain momentum, discussions in impacted communities about the social license to operate have increased. This panel explores how developers can ensure collaborative progress towards the anticipated transition, emphasising fairness and environmental responsibility.
Moderators
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Mira Kleist
Senior Associate, Kaya
Speakers
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Naaja H. Nathanielsen
Minister of Business, Trade, Mineral Resources, Justice and Gender Equality, Greenland
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Kimmo Järvinen
Head of European Governmental Affairs, SSAB
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Riikka Aaltonen
Project Manager, Regional Council of Lapland, Finland
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Karin Nutti Pilflykt
Advisor, Forest Issues, Saami Council EU Unit
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Thomas Lauridsen
Chief Advisor, Ministry of Business, Trade, Mineral Resources, Justice and Gender Equality, Greenland
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Break
Arctic Renewable Energy Powering European Green Industry
The demand for renewable energy is soaring, with technologies rapidly evolving and amplifying its potential. The Arctic is a prime source of hydro, wind, and geothermal energy, offering vast opportunities and territory for industrial off-takers. Explore the political and regulatory framework that shapes this renewable energy landscape, and gain insights from concrete examples of thriving Arctic renewable energy and off taken projects.
Moderators
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Mira Kleist
Senior Associate, Kaya
Speakers
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Sigrid Bjørnhaug Hammar
Deputy Mayor of Tromsø, Norway
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Emily Holland
Associate Professor, US Naval War College
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Fridtjof F. Unander
Chief Economist, Aker Horizons
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Pigga Keskitalo
Professor of Education, University of Lapland; Adjunct Professor, University of Helsinki; Member, Saami Parliament of Finland
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Tanja Joona
Senior Researcher, Arctic Centre, University of Lapland
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Summary and Closing Remarks
Summary and closing remarks of the 14th Arctic Futures Symposium
Speakers
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Marie-Anne Coninsx
IPF Board Member; Former EU Ambassador at Large for the Arctic; Fellow, Egmont Institute
Recommendations for the EU in the Arctic: Cocktail hosted by JUSTNORTH (separate registration required to attend this cocktail)