Conference Highlighted Crucial Role of Science in North Atlantic and Arctic
The conference on Changing Currents in the North Atlantic and the Arctic in Copenhagen on December 4th, organized by Research Council Faroe Islands, highlighted the crucial role of science in the region. The conference was highly succesful with around 100 participants joining from institutions in Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Denmark, as well as from the wider Nordic area.
The purpose of the conference was to shed light on the importance of scientific research in the North Atlantic and the Arctic, and to facilitate dialogue on how environmental and geopolitical developments influence societies across the region.
The event was marked by insightful presentations, constructive discussions, and valuable exchanges among all participants. The level of engagement underscores the significance of strengthened cooperation in addressing shared challenges.
Opening speeches were given by Annika Sølvará, Director of Research Council Faroe Islands, and Per Haugaard, Head of the EU Representation in Denmark. Keynote speaker was Kenneth Høegh, Arctic Ambassador for the Kingdom of Denmark.
Monitoring Nature
Presentations on monitoring efforts on land and at sea across the North Atlantic and the Arctic were given by Elmer Topp-Jørgensen, Coordinator of INTERACT - an international network of Arctic research stations, Agnes-Katharina Kreiling, Researcher at Faroe Islands National Museum, and Mads Peter Heide Jørgensen, Professor at the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources.
The presentations were followed by a panel debate on the role of joint research projects in protecting and restoring nature in the face of climate change, monitored by Marita Rasmussen, Director of Faroese Marine Research Institute. Panelists were Josephine Nymand, Director of Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Ian Salter, Senior Researcher at Faroe Marine Research Institute, and Christian Riisager-Simonsen, Policy Advisor at DTU Aqua.
Climate and Geopolitics
Presentations on societal developments in the light of climate change and the shifting geopolitical landscape were given by Heini í Skorini, Associate Professor at the University of the Faroe Islands, Kari Evensen Natland, Manager of the Nordhordland UNESCO Biosphere Area, and Rico Kongsager, Associate Professor at Copenhagen University.
A panel moderated by Charlotte Flindt Pedersen, Head of the Danish Foreign Policy Society, discussed the contribution of science and innovation to enhancing the resilience of the North Atlantic and the Arctic in the face of human-induced climate change and geopolitical instability. Panelists were Adrian Lema, Director of Denmark’s National Center for Climate Research at the Danish Meteorological Institute, Halla Nolsøe Poulsen, Director of NORA - the Nordic Atlantic Cooperation, and Arne Flåøyen, Director of NordForsk.
The discussions throughout the day reaffirmed the value of collaboration in enhancing our understanding of the forces that shape our region and the importance of supporting informed decision-making.
Photos from the conference can be seen here.