As climate change is dramatically affecting the Arctic environment, the region is witnessing substantial new development opportunities in sectors like fossil energy oil, gas and renewable energies (e.g. wind power, hydroelectricity and geothermal power). Complex challenges simultaneously arise in terms of environmental protection, health and social issues in regions where indigenous peoples and civil participation in decision-making on public issues is still evolving.
Arctic societies are as a consequence facing crucial governance questions. Interdisciplinary research is a key answer to provide innovative ideas on how to allow for local and regional opportunities to prosper while a sustainable Arctic and global development is favored.
This was the background for the interdisciplinary Arctic Conference at Aarhus University that took place 27-28 November 2014. The conference was part of the Knud Rasmussen Lectures.
Focus of the conference
The focus of the conference was on regulatory governance of offshore activities, with an emphasis on risks of oil spill in the Arctic seas. The Beaufort Sea Exploration Joint Venture stood as a case study for comparative approaches.
Keynote speaker
Timo Koivurova, Director for the Northern Institute for Environmental and Minority Law, Arctic Centre/University of Lapland, was the keynote speaker at this event.
Other presenters with expertise on the Arctic region from both Aarhus University and international institutions came from a wide spectrum of disciplines such as political science, law, anthropology, bioscience, health etc.
Organizers
The organizers of the Conference were Cécile Pelaudeix, Assistant Professor at ARC, AU and Ellen Margrethe Basse, Professor of Law at AU.
Time, place and programme
4 sessions were planned for the two-days conference, 27-28 November 2014.
