The objective of this project is to support young people’s capacity building, to mobilize Nordic/Arctic youth in order to bring new ideas forward and lead action towards more livable Arctic communities. The project is focused on creating opportunities for youth engagement for the UArctic Congress 2020. UArctic gather young people to facilitate student and other youth participation at the Congress 2020, which was organized in Iceland in conjunction with the Arctic Circle Assembly and in partnership with the Arctic Council chairmanship. Since the event was not able to take place in 2020 because of travel restrictions the event was postponed for a year.

Agents for the New North will mobilize Arctic youth through UArctic’s Thematic Networks and Institutes. Young people will be invited be either as panellists, other presenters, or participants in workshops organized by the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) and the Sámi Education Institute as part of the program. Through their participation in UArctic Congress workshops and sessions led by these networks, these young people will work to find innovative solutions that improve the lives of northerners and northern communities.

The activities will address critical issues facing the region, including the three principal priorities of the Icelandic Arctic Council Chairmanship program for 2019-2021: Arctic marine environment; Climate and green energy solutions; and People and communities of the Arctic. A special youth panel will focus on the future of the Arctic, taking into focus the issues raised by the current pandemic.

The method of engaging young people in sessions at the UA arctic congress signify trust in young people ability to present and engage in dialogue with senior research staff.

Applicant: University of Iceland International Affairs Centre for Arctic Studies, Gunnar Már Gunnarsson

Partners: University of the Arctic along with many other member institutions in all Arctic countries

Countries: Iceland, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Greenland, Åland and Faroe Islands

Project start 2020, expected to be finalized in 2021.

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