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Arctic Centre. WWW.ARCTICCENTRE.ORG. Multidisciplinary Research Institute and Science Centre. Arctic Centre. Research Institute and Science Centre An institute of the University of Lapland Objectives:
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Arctic Centre WWW.ARCTICCENTRE.ORG Multidisciplinary Research Institute and Science Centre
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 50-60 people • Located on the banks of the Ounasjoki, in Rovaniemi, Finland
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
Multidisciplinary research • Internationally recognized centre for Arctic research • 25-30 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
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
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
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
Education • Arctic Studies Program • Interdisciplinary undergraduate program for students from all around the world • One year • ARKTIS Graduate School (2002-06) • 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
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
Science Centre Exhibition • Exhibition: people and nature in the Arctic • 1300 square meters • About 85 000 visitors/year • 60 % foreigners • European countries: German, Spain, France, Holland • Others: US, Japan, Russia • Renewing process ongoingGoal • Effective popularisation of Arctic science to wide audience and decision makers • Online information by using modern technology • Interactive, visually effective,experimental
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
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)