Arctic Centre Multidisciplinary Research Institute and Science Centre

2 Arctic Centre Research Institute and Science Centre An institute of the University of Lapland Objectives: –To increase the knowledge, awareness and understanding of the Arctic region, both within the region itself and beyond. –To produce and spread information as the basis for decision- making and to support the formation of general opinion. Three main components: Research Unit (including NIEM), Information Services, Science Centre Key partner in local, national, and international networks Staff about people Located on the banks of the Ounasjoki, in Rovaniemi, Finland

3 Arctic Centre Vision: Centre of excellence in Arctic research and knowledge Mission: Multidisciplinary research of the Arctic area and information dissemination Goal: Increased knowledge, awareness and understanding of the Arctic both within and outside the Arctic Values: The sustainable development of the Arctic based on strong knowledge

4 Multidisciplinary research Internationally recognized centre for Arctic research scientists from natural and social sciences, and law combining scientific and traditional knowledge in cooperation with indigenous and local people Themes: –Global Change –Sustainable Development –Environment and Minority Law

5 Research Project Examples Global change Environmental and social impacts of industrial development in Northern Russia Reindeer management today and possibilities of new participatory approaches Glaciological studies on climate change, Svalbard, Antarctic Birds as indicators of the environmental change Population management and traditional hunting Impacts of forestry on northern biodiversity Impacts of UV-radiation on plant and animal physiology

6 Research Project Examples Sustainable Development Arctic operational platform; socio-economic impacts of building an oil terminal Economic impacts of climate change in the Barents region Governance of renewable natural resources in Northwest Russia International environmental cooperation in Northwest Russia: Russian experiences Indigenous peoples organizations as international political actors Sami identity politics

7 Northern Institute for Environment and Minority Law A legal research institute with focus over Arctic issues Co-ordinates Arctic Governance curriculum within ASP Publication Series Juridica Lapponica (28 publications) Four researchers and 8 graduate students Research project examples: –Environmental Impact Assessment in the Arctic –Climate Change in the Arctic: the Role of Law –Human Right to Decent Environment –Environmental Rights of Indigenous Peoples –The Legal Regulation Related to Sami –The Regulation of Public Participation in Law –Effectiveness of International Environmental Agreements –Historic Land Rights in Finnish Lapland

8 Arctic Studies Program –Interdisciplinary undergraduate program for students from all around the world –One year ARKTIS Graduate School ( ) –20 PhD-students in universities of Lapland, Helsinki and Oulu –50 international supervisors PhD-student guidance University of Arctic (International Secretariat) –Cooperative network of universities, colleges and other organisations (72) –Education programs: Bachelor of Circumpolar Studies –North2north mobility program

9 Information Services Library, with 16,000 volumes about the Arctic Electronic information products/services Hosts websites for other projects and organizations: –Barents Customs Info-base –Arctic Council working group EPPR –BEAC working group BEATA, transport

10 Science Centre Exhibition Exhibition: people and nature in the Arctic 1300 square meters About visitors/year –60 % foreigners –European countries: German, Spain, France, Holland –Others: US, Japan, Russia Renewing process ongoing Goal –Effective popularisation of Arctic science to wide audience and decision makers –Online information by using modern technology –Interactive, visually effective, experimental

11 Other Activities Organization of major conferences and scientific meetings Expert consultancy for local and international decision-makers Production of Arctic content for publications, film and other media A partner in education, as part of the University of Lapland Developing polar expeditions in both the Arctic and Antarctic

12 Formal International Participation International Arctic Science Committee IASC Arctic Council UNEP Grid-Arendal The Arctic Research Consortium of the United States (ARCUS) World Reindeer Herders’Association Nordic Research Network on Sami and Environmental Law European Collaborative for Science, Industry and Technology Exhibitions (ECSITE) Nordic Science Centre Association Co-operative agreements with numerous institutes Barents Euro-Arctic Regional Council Polar Libraries Colloquy Arctic Specialist Group of the Commission on Environmental Law of the World Conservation Union (IUCN)