Youth Together for Arctic Futures - Project launch & networking session

Youth Together for Arctic Futures
Participatory Networking Session with Arctic and local Youth and decision-makers; Arctic Frontiers Open
January 30th, 2024, 9:00-10:30 CET, Studentsammfunnet Driv, Tromsø

Speakers

Vicki Lee Wallgren, Director, WWF Global Arctic Programme
Clara Ganslandt, EU Special Envoy for Arctic Matters, European External Action Service
Irène Mingasson, Head of Unit ‘Rapid Response in Asia, Americas and Europe’, Service for Foreign Policy Instrument (FPI), European Commission
Miguel Roncero, International Relations Officer (EU Arctic policy), DG MARE, European Commission
Asisaun Toovak, Mayor of Utqiaġvik, Alaska
Morten Høglund, Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Norway

Join us to celebrate the launch of the EU funded project Youth Together for Arctic Futures. At our Participatory Networking Session at Studentsamfunnet Driv, Arctic and Arctic-interested youth and decision-makers have the opportunity to connect and bring first input to the themes of the new Arctic Youth Dialogue. During the Participatory Networking Session thematic focus points will allow youth and decision-makers with similar interests to get to know each other and their respective priorities around these topics.

Youth Together for Arctic Futures is a transformative 4-year project aimed to empower young people and create opportunities for youth to participate in policy-making processes addressing the challenges the Arctic is facing.

The project and its Arctic Youth Dialogue aspire to bring Arctic and European youth together, creating youth-led local, regional, national, and international activities and fostering active citizens and decision-makers for a sustainable Arctic and to create opportunities for youth to be heard. To ensure synergies and holistic approach the Arctic Youth Dialogues will be coordinated with EU’s flagship events on the Arctic; the EU Arctic Forum and the EU Indigenous Peoples’ Dialogue.

Agenda
08:45 Doors open
09:00 Opening remarks – Vicki Lee Wallgren

Introduction to the project and the Participatory Networking Session (WWF project managers, Indigenous coordinator)
The EU and Arctic Youth (Clara Ganslandt, Irène Mingasson & Miguel Roncero)
Youth empowerment in the Arctic (Asisaun Toovak)

09:25 Participatory Networking Session (ca 55 mins)

Thematic posters for input of ideas for workshop sessions on biodiversity, climate sustainability, inclusion of youth voices, EU-Arctic connections; facilitation by project consortium
Opportunities to sign up for project mailing list, Activity Planning Groups

10:20 Closing remarks (Morten Høglund)
10:25 Wrap-up (Project consortium)
10:30 End

This event is open to the public and Arctic and European youth and students are strongly encouraged to attend!

The full Project Launch Concept Note is available as a PDF.

The project is led by the WWF Global Arctic Programme, in cooperation with the partners: Arctic Youth Network, European Youth Parliament, Saami Council, Arctic Mayors’ Forum, Tromsø kommune, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, and the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists. The project is supported by the Norwegian Arctic Council chairship, WWF Greenland, and Arctic Frontiers as associates.

You can read more about the project in recent news articles by the European External Action Service and the WWF Global Arctic Programme.