Internasjonalt seminar:
People-to-People Cooperation 2.0 - for Trust-building to Total Defense in the Arctic?

BACKGROUND

Before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the aim of people-to-people cooperation across Arctic borders was to foster trust, reduce conflict, and break down stereotypes in this strategically important region.

Today, cooperation with Russia is redused to a minimum. Although collaboration with independent Russian partners is still possible, it is constrained by restrictive Russian laws and the overall security situation. An exception is the Arctic Council, where some working groups continue to monitor climate change throughout the Arctic.

Meanwhile, the Barents Secretariat has been given an expanded mandate to engage partners across the circumpolar Arctic. With Finland and Sweden as new NATO members in the north, there is a push for close collaboration to build strong and resilient communities in the Arctic.

We ask:

What is the strategy behind People-to-People Cooperation in the Arctic 2.0, and who will finance these new collaborative initiatives?

What role should civil society, including culture and industry, play?

How can we prevent the Arctic from becoming primarily a military strategic area?

How can we ensure that the main narrative about the Arctic remains focused on people, not tanks?

PANEL:

Cecilie Myrseth - Minister of Trade and Industry

Sajje Solbakk - Festival Director at Riddu Riđđu

Johanna Vehkoo - Journalist and Specialist in Hybrid Threats from Helsinki

Kenneth Stålseth - Managing Director of the Barents Secretariat

Miia Tervo - Director of The Missile

MODERATOR:

Anja Kristine Salo - Special Advisor in Troms fylkeskommune.