Reflections and Debates on Arctic Cooperation, Climate Change, State Sovereignty, Indigenous Rights and Canada’s Circumpolar Policies on the 20th Anniversary of the Arctic Council
This one-day conference will focus on the role of the Arctic Council as a forum for Arctic cooperation, the place of the Arctic in Canada’s foreign policy and approach to the circumpolar world, the role of the Arctic in global relations in light of the increasing interest in the region by European and Asian states, and the voice of Indigenous Peoples within the Arctic Council and in shaping circumpolar countries’ Arctic policies.
2016 is the 20th anniversary of the Arctic Council. Has the Council successfully served its role as an effective forum for Arctic cooperation? How has the Arctic Council shaped Canada’s circumpolar policies? What can the Arctic states do to foster greater cooperation to address climate change? What’s the best approach to achieve state sovereignty while maintaining the Arctic Council as a platform for international cooperation? Have Indigenous Peoples played a meaningful role within the Arctic Council and in shaping circumpolar states’ Arctic policies? What progress have Indigenous Peoples made in the past 20 years in their struggle for recognition and implementation of Aboriginal rights?
Our expert presenters will reflect on those and other related topics during the conference, followed by responses from expert panel members and interactive debates among them. The conference will provide an excellent opportunity for our expert faculty and delegates to share their insight, knowledge and experience on a broad range of issues related to the Arctic Council, international cooperation in the Arctic region, the development of the Arctic, the evolution of Canada’s Arctic policies and the roles of Indigenous Peoples.