The Arctic Circle Forum brings together a diverse group of individuals including indigenous representatives, scientists, legal experts, and business leaders, all of whom are involved in the current and future challenges facing the Arctic.
Current challenges in Arctic research
The Arctic has garnered increasing attention over the past decades due to global warming, which causes significant changes in its landscapes, impacting the entire planet. Speakers at the forum highlighted the challenges in Arctic research, particularly in light of geopolitical tensions. The ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe has disrupted scientific collaborations and data collection, making it difficult for researchers to gather necessary information. This interruption hinders the ability to predict changes in the Arctic, especially in understanding the evolution of permafrost.
A significant focus of the forum was on conducting international research amidst political tensions. Numerous sessions addressed the need for continued collaboration despite these challenges.
Another central topic was the importance of indigenous knowledge and rights in Arctic research and policy-making. Discussions emphasized the need to move away from “helicopter research,” where studies are conducted without involving or benefiting the local communities. Indigenous representatives and social scientists discussed the negative impacts of such practices and advocated for more meaningful collaborations. These sessions highlighted the integration of indigenous wisdom with scientific research to promote ethical and inclusive outcomes. Sami and other arctic-inhabitants shared their wisdom and knowledge on sharing a scientific mind with a natural mind – a current topic in decolonizing a science that has historically been white, male, and closed-off to diversity.
Youth voices
Members of the APECS Germany board were invited to participate in the session “Voices for the Future – The next generation’s role in shaping the Arctic”, in which Rey was happy to represent us. This session brought together inhabitants of the Arctic, early-career scientists collaborating with them, and European scientists focusing their research on the Arctic. Several topics were brought up on the place of younger generations in the current arctic debates, underlining especially the lack and refusal of their inclusion in decision-making, and the challenges they face in being heard. Although younger generations were described as “the future of the Arctic” through several sessions, a lack of willingness to question and share power from implemented institutions slows and discourages their implication. Such power structures were underlined between Arctic and non-Arctic inhabitants, as indigenous lands are often considered “empty space” to exploit for the profit of companies and the well-being of people living in urban areas, with negative impacts on local populations. There was a strong call for creating safe spaces for younger generations, especially for youth indigenous people, to contribute their perspectives and for fostering cooperation between generations to address Arctic issues.
The role of APECS Germany
In Germany, APECS plays a major role in organizing and promoting polar early career voices. Through activities with children and teachers, science communication on social media or on our blog, the organization of seminars by and for early career polar scientists, APECS Germany creates a safe space for us to share experiences and create a change in Arctic science, that we hope will impact the Arctic altogether. APECS replies to current challenges in arctic research such as inclusivity and the protection and propagation of indigenous voices by putting resources available online for best practices and for people to organize events and create codes of conduct. Thanks to its association with the DGP and the Polarforschung, APECS’ voices can weigh in polar research and, hopefully, contribute to the change the Arctic needs.
Author: Rey Mourot