An Arctic of Regions: The Role of Subnational States in Arctic Governance

Organized by the Government of Québec 13. September 2017

In this session, we will discuss and compare the role of three subnational states in Arctic governance: Alaska, Lapland (Finland), and Québec. Subnational states are closer to Arctic populations and their issues since they deliver services to these populations and regulate most of the resource development sector.

Saturday, October 14, 17:30 - 19:00

For this reason, subnational states are striving to play a bigger role in Arctic governance, notably through their participation to multilateral organizations such as the Arctic Circle and Arctic Council. In this session, government representatives and academics will try to answer the following questions:

What are the approaches Alaska, Lapland and Québec have taken to increase their participation in Arctic governance?
What is the impact of subnational states’ involvement on Arctic Governance?
What is the impact on Arctic geopolitics?

Speakers:

Craig Fleener, Arctic Policy Advisor and Director of State and Federal Relations, Office of the Governor of Alaska*
Michael Sfraga, Director, Polar Initiative, Wilson Centre
Mika Riipi, County Leader of Lapland, Finland
Lassi Heininen, Professor of Arctic Politics at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lapland
Éric Théroux, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministère des Relations internationales et de la Francophonie, Québec
Thierry Rodon, Institut nordique du Québec, Université Laval, Québec

Chair:

Emissary on Climate Change and Nordic Affairs, Gouvernement du Québec*