January 2012

• Conference materials
• Webcast of January 17, 2012 open session
• Media
• Follow-up publications

Conference Outcomes

The Arctic Security Program is excited to release two key publications flowing from the thought-provoking discussions and presentations delivered at our January 2012 conference. Please see our Follow-up publications section for more details. 

About the Conference

Our January 2012 conference was held jointly with the University of Lapland. This project seeks to define the role of the Arctic Council, and identify its priorities moving forward. As of 2013, the Arctic Council will have gone through a full rotation of chairs, and new challenges are emerging as climate change focuses the world’s attention more and more on the Arctic.

The conference was organized in two parts. The first was a public session on January 17, 2012, featuring original research contributions. Panels were created based on different areas of interest surrounding the Arctic Council. Panel participants were given the chance to present their research or speak about their field of expertise, and those in attendance were invited to share their views and add to the discussion on the future priorities of the Arctic Council.

The second day was a closed session to provide an opportunity for senior decision-makers and policy-shapers to reflect on the recommendations put forth in the public session. Flowing from these discussions, the Munk-Gordon Arctic Security Program developed a report including 19 recommendations for the Canadian government to consider prior to taking the Chair in 2013. For more information, read Canada as an Arctic Power: Preparing for the Canadian Chairmanship of the Arctic Council.

Notable Participants 

• His Excellency Anton Vasiliev, Ambassador at Large and senior Arctic official of the Russian Federation
• Her Excellency Else Berit Eikeland, Ambassador of Norway to Canada
• His Excellency Erik Vilstrup Lorenzen, Ambassador of Denmark to Canada
• His Excellency Risto Piipponen, Ambassador of Finland to Canada
• His Excellency Teppo Tauiainen, Ambassador of Sweden to Canada
• Holm Inuuteq Olsen, Deputy Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs, Government of Greenland
• Olav Mathis Eira, President of the Saami Council
• His Excellency Marcos Gómez, Ambassador for Polar and Oceanic Affairs, Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación Madrid, Spain.
• Tony Penikett, former premier of the Yukon
• Madeleine Redfern, Mayor of Iqaluit
• Cindy Dickson, Executive Director, Artic Athabaska Council
• Kirt Ejesiak, VP for International Affairs, Inuit Circumpolar Council
• Bridget Larocque, Executive Director, Gwich'in Council International