Speakers:

• Mikko Heino, Professor, University of Bergen: Ecology and Evolution of Sustainable Exploitation of Fish Stocks
• Ulf Dieckmann, Program Director, IIASA: Reconciling Societal Objectives and Stakeholder Interests in Integrated Fisheries Assessments
• Rachel Tiller, Research Scientist, SINTEF: Reducing Uncertainty in Climate-Change Scenario Development Through Transdisciplinary Integration of Qualitative Stakeholder Data in Decision-Support Systems
• Petr Havlík, Senior Research Scholar, IIASA: An Integrated Economic Model of Global Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Agriculture

Speakers:

• Vilborg Einarsdottir, Editor-in-Chief, JoNAA
• Nils Arne Johnsen, Arctic Director, Ramboll
• Dana Eidsness, Director Maine North Atlantic Development Office, MENADO
• Inga Dora Markussen, Secretary General, West Nordic Council
• Hlín Johannesdottir, Managing Editor, JoNAA
• Joachim Weidemann, Europe Affairs editor, JoNAA & Director of JoNAA Monitoring

the interaction of the Greenland ice sheet with the climate system in warm scenarios, the impact of ice sheet melting on the Ocean, a Pan-Arctic study of aerosol properties and sources, modelling the effect of air quality regulation on the Arctic climate, and climate whirl at high latitudes: combining natural and social sciences in higher education and science outreach. These results are presented by scientists from the Nordic research projects “eScience Tools for Investigating Climate Change at High Northern Latitudes” (eSTICC) and “Stability and Variations of Arctic Land Ice” (SVALI). Both eSTICC and SVALI have been appointed and funded by NordForsk as Nordic Centres of Excellence.

Speakers:

• Hans-Christen Hansson, Professor, Stockholm University: Modeling the effect of air quality regulation on the Arctic climate
• Eyal Freud, Postdoctoral researcher, Stockholm University: Pan Arctic study of aerosol properties and sources
• Antti Lauri, Research Director, University of Helsinki: Climate Whirl at High Latitudes: combining natural and social sciences in higher education and science outreach
• Josefin Ahlkrona, Postdoctoral researcher, University of Kiel/Cluster of Excellence “The Future Ocean”: The Impact of Ice Sheet Melting on the Ocean – Reducing Uncertainty in Predictions of Future Sea-Level Rise and Ocean Circulation by Improving Computer Models
• Guðfinna Aðalgeirsdóttir, Professor, University of Iceland: Interaction of the Greenland Ice Sheet with the climate system in warm scenarios as simulated in the coupled model system EC-Earth–PISM

Chair:

Helmut Neukirchen, Professor, University of Iceland

Saturday, October 14, 16:00 - 17:30

The premise of the research is that the future of the Arctic will be determined to a great extent by today’s youth, as they make choices around the opportunities and challenges they face, their priorities in terms of culture and identities, where to study and where to live, and what occupations and lifestyles to pursue, as well as on factors affecting their social and physical environment, such as the impacts and responses to climate change and economic and cultural globalization. Preliminary results from case study work and focus group interviews will be presented. The presentations will present highlights from discussions with youth.
A general focus is on questions of the two to three most pressing issues facing young people living in the Arctic regions today, the aspirations and needs of young people in the Arctic, and discussions with youth to better understand how young people define the most important issues that affect their lives in the Arctic today, as well as their hopes and aspirations for the future. The focus group research has enabled the project to capture a variety of views, experiences and circumstances among young people in the North. The session will present results from case studies and a first round of focus group interviews with young people from different parts of the Arctic, including Northern Iceland; Nuuk, Greenland; Bodø, Norway; Umeå, Sweden; Northern Finland; Murmansk, Russia; and Alaska.

Speakers:

• Joan Nymand Larsen, Professor of Economics and Arctic Studies, University of Akureyri; Senior Scientist, Stefansson Arctic Institute, Akureyri, Iceland
• Diane Hirshberg, Professor of Education Policy, and Director, Center for Alaska Education Policy Research Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of Alaska Anchorage, USA
• Andrey Petrov, Associate Professor of Geography and Geospatial Technology, University of Northern Iowa, USA
• Jón Haukur Ingimundarson, Senior Scientist, Stefansson Arctic Institute, and Associate Professor of Anthropology and Arctic Studies, University of Akureyri
• Marta Einarsdóttir, Researcher, University of Akureyri Research Centre, Iceland
• Leneisja Jungsberg, Research Fellow, Nordregio, Sweden
• Anna Karlsdóttir, Senior Research Fellow, Nordregio, Sweden
• Timothy Heleniak, Senior Research Fellow, Nordregio, Sweden
• Joan Nymand Larsen, Professor of Economics and Arctic Studies, University of Akureyri; Senior Scientist, Stefansson Arctic Institute
• Jón Haukur Ingimundarson, Senior Scientist, Stefansson Arctic Institute; Associate Professor of Anthropology and Arctic Studies, University of Akureyri, Iceland.

Chairs:

• Joan Nymand Larsen, Senior Scientist and Research Director, Stefansson Arctic Institute & Professor, University of Akureyri
• Jón Haukur Ingimundarson, Senior Scientist, Stefansson Arctic Institute; Associate Professor, University of Akureyri, Iceland

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

Invited speakers will discuss matters and challenges of connecting Arctic science with decision-making and of scientific cooperation in the region. Among others, they will cover case studies of non-Arctic countries involved in Arctic research, implementation of the Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Scientific Cooperation signed by Arctic states in May 2017, the MOSAiC project and the role of science in work of the Arctic Council. Following short presentations by each speaker, the floor will be open to questions and comments from the audience to further inform IASC’s efforts in more effective provision of scientific knowledge and advice to policy-makers.

Speakers:

• Volker Rachold, Head, German Arctic Office, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research: Collaboration between International Arctic Science Committee and the Arctic Council – from the past into the future
• Lars-Otto Reiersen, Executive Secretary, Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP) Arctic Council Working Group: From scientific input to policy recommendations in assessing state of Arctic environment
• Henry Burgess, Head, NERC Arctic Office, British Antarctic Survey, UK: A non-Arctic country perspective on connecting Arctic science to decision-making: successes, challenges and hopes for the future
• Allison A. Fong, MOSAiC Ecosystems Working Group Coordinator, Postdoctoral Scholar, Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Germany: MOSAiC – forging international cooperation towards enhancing our understanding of regional and global consequences of Arctic climate change
• Kelly Falkner, Director, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, US: Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Scientific Cooperation – next steps and practical implications

Chair:

• Gosia Smieszek, Researcher, Arctic Centre, University of Lapland / Fellow, IASC

Saturday, October 14, 17:30 - 19:00
Location: Háaloft, Eighth Level

Recognising this, the European Commission and the High Representative have defined International Cooperation on Arctic Issues as a priority area in the integrated European Union policy for the Arctic. Herein they assign a key role to science as a catalyst to support a common understanding, jointly agreed solutions and peaceful cooperation. Transnational access to research infrastructures, open data resources, as well as international networks and bilateral agreements are seen as important steps towards an improved scientific cooperation and enhanced political and economic links with key countries in the region.
This breakout session aims at fostering active discussions on how to further improve international cooperation in Arctic science.

Speakers:

• Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission: (opening address via video message)
• Margareta Johansson, Coordinator INTERACT: Sustained transnational access to Arctic Terrestrial Infrastructures.
• Martin Jeffries, Assistant Director for Polar Sciences & Executive Director, U.S. Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee, White Office of Science and Technology Policy: Facilitating Arctic Science Cooperation via the Canada-EU-USA Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance.
• Hyoung Chul Shin, Head of Department for International Cooperation, Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI): Arctic Research Cooperation; Role of Observer States and The Growing Contribution
• Alexander Klepikov, Head of Department for Antarctic Ocean and Climate Studies, Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI, Russia): The Russian Perspective on Key Areas of International Cooperation in Arctic Research.
• Verónica Willmott, Project Manager ARICE (Alfred Wegener Institute, Germany): ARICE: Arctic Research Icebreaker Consortium. An International Cooperation Strategy For Meeting the Needs For Marine-Based Research in the Arctic.

Chair:

Andrea Tilche, Head of Unit Climate Action and Earth Observation, Directorate General for Research and Innovation, European Commission

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*

Saturday, October 14, 17:30 - 19:00
Location: Skarðsheiði, Third Level

The session will emphasise the importance of sustained Arctic observations across both temporal and geographic scales to maximise their societal benefits and usefulness in advising decision-making. Flash or lightening presentations will start the session to introduce participants to the range of Earth observation projects, networks and organisations with a focus on the Arctic. A panel discussion will follow and focus on interoperability of observations, allowing for increased use and accessibility across temporal and geographic scales, including remote sensing and satellite observations, in situ (ground-based observations) and monitoring, Indigenous-Knowledge-driven monitoring, and community-based observing initiatives throughout the Arctic. The panel will be followed by discussion (Q&A) with the audience. The session and the panel will be moderated by chairs, who also provide short introductions and summaries of the session.

Introduction

• Barbara Ryan, Secretariat Director, Group on Earth Observations

Speaker: 

• Árni Snorrason, Director, Icelandic Meteorological Office: Large-scale Arctic climate observations –WMO
• Hannele Savela, Research Coordinator, Thule Institute, University of Oulu: Arctic terrestrial in situ observations and monitoring –an example from the INTERACT network
• Jan René Larsen, SAON Secretary, Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme: International coordination of Arctic monitoring
• Renuka Badhe, Executive Secretary, European Polar Board
• Stein Sandven, Research Director, Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center
• Yubao Qiu, Associate Professor, Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, Chinese Academy of Sciences: Integrating Scales of Observations – an Example from High Mountain Asia
• Anders Oskal, Director, International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry
• Ola Gråbak, Applications Engineer, ESA Earth Observation directorate
• Maribeth Murray, Executive Director, Arctic Institute of North America: Community-based observing – outcomes of AOS
• Peter Pulsifer – Research Scientist II, National Snow and Ice Data Center CIRES, University of Colorado: Data Interoperability in Arctic Earth Observations

Chair:

Peter Pulsifer, ADC/University of Colorado

Saturday, October 14, 08:00 - 09:00

The scope and aims of the session reflect those of the projects: to supply new knowledge on Arctic issues by combining improved regional climate predictions with enhanced understanding of environmental, societal, and economic interactions. This involves extensive cross-disciplinary collaboration encompassing: climatology (regional and global modelling; dynamic downscaling; historical climatology); environmental science; environmental economics; oceanography and cryosphere research; marine and fisheries biology; fisheries management; anthropology; governance systems; human eco-dynamics; and traditional ecological knowledge. Drawing on these separate but interlinking disciplines will ensure the foundation of a truly synergistic Centre of Excellence where the overarching goal is to foster responsible and sustainable development in northern communities.

Speakers:

• Noel Keenlyside, Professor, Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen: Global and Arctic Climate Predictions
• Astrid Ogilvie, Senior Scientist, Stefansson Arctic Institute and INSTAAR and Leslie King, Professor and Director, Canadian Centre for Environmental Education, Royal Roads University: Syntheses of Arctic Climate and Environmental Change and Human Eco-Dynamics
• Níels Einarsson, Director, Stefansson Arctic Institute: Sea Change in North Atlantic Arctic Coastal Communities
• Marianne Rasmussen, Director, University of Iceland: Climate, Cetaceans and Tourism.
• Elizabeth Ogilvie, Environmental Artist: Out of Ice: Sea Ice and Northern Communities

Chair:

Brynhildur Daviðsdóttir, Professor, University of Iceland

Saturday, October 14, 16:00 - 17:30

Although already envisioned as a source of new economic opportunities can we imagine a world without ice? What will the environmental and social consequences of a disappearing ice be? What will the biggest challenges and opportunities be? What is the interrelationship between society and nature, in environmental and cultural contexts? How will communities be impacted? Is ice a material thing, or does it have intrinsic value? Is ‘Industrial civilization’ willing and able to commit to reducing emissions? Can we halt the process of a melting ice? Or is it too little, too late?

Speakers: 

• Salla Kalliojärvi, University of Lapland: The United Nations Security Council and Climate Change: Preparing for an iceless future.

• Violetta Gassiy, Kuban State University

• Suzanne Dunn, University of Ottawa: Digital access in the north: Rights, risks, and opportunities for young people. (TBC)

Chair:

Guðrún Rósa Þórsteinsdóttir director of University of Akureyri Research Centre and the Northern Research Forum Secretariat.

Those who live in Canada’s north strive to define and govern their regions within the political and economic challenges of Canadian Confederation. Beyond Canada, at the Arctic regional level, and into the sphere of the global economy Canada’s northern territories, private sector, and aboriginal corporations have become regional and global actors and are increasingly finding and continuing to seek a greater voice and political influence in their own regions and on pan-arctic issues. The successes of Canada’s North, however, is dependent on overcoming the challenges at the local and national level to build the necessary critical infrastructure for the benefit of northerners and Canada. Many of the ongoing challenges will require cooperation across the Canadian North, as well with their national government and partners throughout the North American and Nordic Arctic states and those global partners with an active and invested interest in the Arctic. This session will showcase some of the achievements and opportunities for Canada’s North as well as present the region’s ongoing challenges.

Speakers:

• The Honourable Bob McLeod, Premier of the Northwest Territories
• Madeleine Redfern, Mayor of Iqaluit, Nunavut
• Clint Davis, Chairman at NGC Nunatsiavut Inc.; Inuit Capital Strategy Trust; and Partner and Managing Director of Acasta Capital Indigenous
• David Ramsay, former Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Northwest Territories; CEO of Arctic Mineral Resources; and Director, Fortune Minerals

Chair:

• Jessica Shadian, Distinguished Senior Fellow, Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History, U. of Toronto

• Environmental sustainability
• Social-Economic sustainability
• Human community sustainability

As an example of activities in terms of the natural sciences and humanities that Japan conducts in the Arctic region toward realize such sustainability, we introduce three projects from Arctic Challenge for Sustainability (ArCS) project currently underway and explore the possibility of cooperation with Arctic countries, indigenous people, observer countries, and other private sectors interested in the Arctic.

And we accept renowned researchers outside of Japan to this session.
They will give comments concerning Japan’s scientific activities and Arctic societal benefits (Especially the importance of a specific characteristics of scientific project from the viewpoint of contributing to society). Also they will point the possibility of new cooperation between science and society based on their special and distinguish experience.

Speakers:

• Hiroyasu Hasumi; Professor, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo: Prediction and predictability of the Arctic climate
• Natsuhiko Otsuka; Professor, Arctic Research Center, Hokkaido University: Navigability and economic feasibility of Arctic shipping
• Hiroki Takakura; Professor, Center for Northeast Asian Studies, Tohoku University: Permafrost and culture dynamics in Siberia

Panelist:

• Larry Hinzman; Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Alaska Fairbanks
• Jeremy P. Wilkinson; Senior scientist British Antarctic Survey