This year Rovaniemi Arctic Spirit 2021 is hosting the international launch of the Finnish presidency of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council.
The conference focus is on Euro-Arctic cooperation, with the Barents region at the forefront. Under the topic of cooperation we will explore both national and international Arctic policy and discuss Arctic security. We will also have sessions addressing contested spaces in a changing climate, especially from the viewpoint of adaptation to climate change and achieving a just transition in the Arctic.
The first conference day consists of the international launch of the Finnish presidency of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council with invited keynote speeches and panel discussions focusing on Arctic cooperation in the Barents region.
On the second day we will look at the theme of cooperation and contested space from various angles, from the EU- level to local grassroots level.
Please, note that the program is subject to change, and will be updated continuously up to the conference. Speakers will be announced as soon as confirmed.
9:00 Registration and info desk open
9:30 – Coffee served
Opening remarks
Ulla-Kirsikka Vainio, Mayor of Rovaniemi Johanna Ikävalko, Director of the Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland
Presentation of the Nenetsian Barents Regional Council presidency program
Speech and greeting from the Sámi Parliament
Moderated by: Johanna Ikävalko, Director of the Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland Panelists:
Moderator: Markku Heikkilä, Head of Science Communications, Arctic Centre Panelists:
Session description: Panel discussion
This session will map different perspectives for regional cooperation in the European Arctic, discuss expectations for the future and address the question of Arctic and Barents identity.
Moderator: Markku Heikkilä, Head of Science Communications, Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland
Panel:
Organized by the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA) Session description: Panel Discussion.
In this session, a panel of representatives of academia will address the topic of security in the Arctic.
Moderator: Samu Paukkunen, Deputy Director, FIIA
Venue: Korundi
Drinks and finger-food.
Organized by the Conservation of Flora and Fauna- working group of the Arctic Council Venue: Korundi restaurant
Hosted by Dr. Mia Rönkä, Chair of Arctic Council working group CAFF
Organized by the Finnish Arctic Society Session description: panel discussion. The session is divided in two parts with a break in- between.
The EU has been developing its Arctic policy since 2008 and is currently in the process of adopting a revised Arctic strategic statement. This session will focus on new developments in the EU’s Arctic engagement and what Arctic nations and stakeholders can expect from the EU in the coming years. The panelists will consider if there are issues where the EU would need to take a stronger role and the ways how the awareness of the Arctic dimension within the EU be enhanced. Further, the session will discuss the EU’s Arctic policy from the Finnish perspective: in light of the country’s Arctic strategy and its presidency in the Barents Council, as well as from the vantage point of different Finnish stakeholders.
Moderator: Adam Stepien, Researcher, Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland
Opening remarks: Timo Koivurova, Chair of the Arctic Society of Finland
Opening presentation: Nina Brander, Senior specialist, Prime Minister’s Office, Finland
Organized by Arctic anthropology research professor Florian Stammler & Laura Epp, University of Konstanz/ FATE – BIODIVERSA Session description: on-site parallel session (with Teams participation option)
This session will focus on the integration of knowledge systems in the natural, social and indigenous sciences about the changing environment in the circumpolar Arctic. It shall explore common ground between different ways of knowing the environment and display attempts from recent research to integrate them towards a holistic understanding of the changing Arctic environment and its implication for Arctic livelihoods. One special focus shall be a set of presentations on the ways in which knowledge of the past helps us building scenarios for future Arctic ecosystems in an interdisciplinary way.
Speakers:
Organized by the Arctic Network on Climate Adaptation and Food Security and Horizon 2020 projects ArcticHubs, CHARTER and JUSTNORTH
Session description: presentations and commentary
The Arctic is experiencing global warming at a faster rate than the global average. What does that do to arctic nature and livelihoods? Three EU Horizon 2020 funded research projects and the Arctic Network for Climate Adaptation and Food Security (ACAF) are finding answers and will in their presentations touch upon changes in biodiversity and climate, Arctic land use and discuss how new knowledge is co-produced together with local people, as we try to adapt to change. In this session you will meet the researchers.
Opening remarks on behalf of Horizon 2020 projects by project coordinators:
Commentary / Statements:
Session description: panel discussion
In a continuation of the previous session, we will meet stakeholders who live and work in the Arctic region. This session offers an opportunity to engage with and listen to the people whose lives and livelihoods are at the center of a just transition in a changing climate.
Moderator: Seija Tuulentie, research professor, LUKE Panelists:
Join us on November 15, 2021 at Rovaniemi, Finland for a full day of discussions and getting to know each other over Arctic adaptation solutions.
You are welcome to join us in person for all three events, and you can also join us via internet for the events 1 and 2. Please register for all events before 5.11.2021. Below you can find more information on the events and the link for registration.
Visit ACAF website for more information
and register through this link!
15th November 2021, Korundi House of Culture, Rovaniemi Arctic development of the past is persistent in inequitable practices, leaving scars from the impacts of social, economic and environmental inequality. In addition, Arctic development of today is occurring alongside the adverse effects of climate change within an integrated global system deficient in mechanisms for incentivising just transitions toward sustainable development. With the goal of enhancing the governance capacity of the EU to mitigate this problem, JUSTNORTH brings together 13 partners from 7 disciplines to evaluate the viability of Arctic economic activities. The conference is open and free of charge to stakeholders, academic participants and anyone interested in the topic. JustNorth Conference is organized in connection with the Rovaniemi Arctic Spirit (16–17 Nov 2021) and in cooperation with two other H2020 projects: ArcticHubs and CHARTER. Three projects will organize a joint stakeholder session in the afternoon of Wed November 17th. The event will occur both virtually and in person. Registration is now open: Register here (Registration is needed for both onsite and online participation)
Check out the program here
Monday 15 November 2021, 10:00-16:00 Venue: Hybrid (Santa Claus Hotel and online)
Most of the population in the Arctic live in urban or urbanizing towns and cities, yet, as Mayors in the Arctic and High North have averred, municipalities have no voice in the politically constituted organization that is supposed to represent the Arctic and steer its development and environmental security --that is the Arctic Council. The lack of inclusion of Arctic municipalities in the work of the Arctic Council is one of the main reasons for the establishment of the Arctic Mayors’ Forum in 2019. Yet, the international and interregional cooperation involving Arctic and northern cities and regions has a history that dates back to the 20th century. The issues discussed during the seminar include but are not limited to:
November 15-21, 2021 In Rovaniemi, Enontekiö, Kautokeino, Kirkenes, Sevettijärvi, and Inari
The Calotte Academy starts on Monday 15th November, and will be held in the Esko ja Asko -room at the University of Lapland Campus, Rovaniemi. The program that runs from 09:00 – 16:45 contains opening words and introduction of the idea, methods and procedure of the Calotte Academy and Calotte Academy related activities by Lassi Heininen. As well as a selection of session: Sessions 1: Arctic policies, interests of EU & memberstates, part I with speakers like Katri Kulmuni, member of the Finnish Parliament, talking about Politics of the Arctic from a politician point of view. Other sessions center on New Technologies & Digitalisation and a Book Launch of the “Selected Articles of Calotte Academy – a travelling northern symposium on science and politics”.
The Calotte Academy is open to all interested parties on Monday 15th in Rovaniemi.