Anchorage 2008

Seeking Balance in a Changing North

The Fifth NRF Open Assembly
Anchorage, Alaska,  24 -27 September 2008


Organizers' website (registration process and more)
Position Papers (August. 2008)
Theme_project_groups_summary (19 Sept. 2008)
Theme project groups program
Program and Schedule


Fourth Announcement
(18 Sept. 2008)

The 5th Open Assembly of the Northern Research Forum, Seeking Balance in a Changing North, will take place in Anchorage, Alaska, USA on September 24th - 27th 2008. The event is being organized by the Northern Research Forum, together with the 5th NRF Host Organizing Committee representing the Office of the Governor of Alaska, Office of the Mayor of Anchorage, US Arctic Research Commission, Inuit Circumpolar Council, Institute of the North, University of Alaska Anchorage, Alaska Native Science Commission, The Northern Forum, Chickaloon Village Traditional Council, Anchorage Museum of History and Art, Cinza Research,  and Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Plenary themes and sub-themes
The future of Northern co-operation
· New Northern policies of the Arctic States
· The Arctic Council and multilateral co-operation
· Bilateral relationship

The new Geography of a warming North
· Climate change: Facts – Scenarios
· Threats to manmade environment
· Human security e.g. health and wellbeing - education
· Threats to sovereignty and local autonomy
· Human – environment relationship

The accessible Arctic in the global Economy
· Oil, gas and coal 
· Renewable energy
· Energy Security of the Arctic and the world
· New Sea Routes – Revolution in Global Shipping and Trade

Leadership in the age of uncertainty
· Impacts of climate change
· Climate change: “awakening” and Good governance
· Citizenship and climate change: Adaptation -  implementation

Theme Project Groups and Coordinators
· Future of Northern Cooperation: Legal and Political Issues
- Dr. Natalia Loukacheva, Director, Polar Law Program, University of Akureyri.

· Economies in the North
- Dr. Lee Huskey, Department of Economics, University of Alaska Anchorage and Zaneta Ozolina, Head of Department of Political Science, University of Latvia.

· Energy Issues
- Academic Director Dr. Björn Gunnarsson, School of Renewable Energy Science and Peter G. Johnson, PhD, Arctic Scientist, Ottawa.

· Northern Sea Routes
- Ragnar Baldursson, Senior Arctic Official of Iceland and Steven Bigras, Executive Director Canadian Polar Commission.

· Climate Change - Northern Security/ies
- Dr. Lassi Heininen, University of Lapland and Susan A. Crate, Assistant Professor, George Mason University, Fairfax.

Structure
Four plenaries by themes, five round tables on themes, four project sessions and excursion to Chickaloon and Palmer.

Background material
The Changing Geo-Politics of the North by Dr. Lassi Heininen, Chairman of the NRF. Draft Program and Schedule.

Position papers
There will be approximately 15 position papers about the NRF plenary sessions. Position papers will be available at the NRF website on the 15th of August.

Deadlines
Deadline for early-bird registration: August 15, 2008


anchorage1 Welcome to Anchorage!
Nestled between the Chugach Mountains to the east and the shoreline of Cook Inlet to the west, Anchorage is a unique combination of a wilderness and modern city life. Within just a few minutes from downtown, you can be alone in a forest or hiking in the mountains. Anchorage has many parks and bike trails and it is quite common to spot the moose and other wildlife that make their home in the city.

Anchorage residents value their access to the wilderness and the abundance of outdoor activities including two spectacular marine environments: Prince William Sound and Kenai Fjords National Park. Both offer spectacular scenery and wildlife viewing as well as opportunities for fishing and other outdoor excursions.

Anchorage is Alaska's largest city, with nearly half of the entire state population residing here! Though it is a young city by most standards - it was founded in 1915 - Anchorage has a rich and fascinating history that extends back to the original indigenous population. What you see today began as a tent city to house Alaska Railroad workers and has grown to encompass a vibrant and diverse population. The city is known for being the crossroads for air transportation, home of Alaska’s largest university, the University of Alaska Anchorage, as well as enjoying rich cultural diversity from the indigenous Alaska Natives to the immigrant populations who choose to make Anchorage their home.

This mingling of cultures and traditions makes Anchorage known for great restaurants, world class museums and art, friendly people and stunning natural beauty.


Sponsors

List of sponsor of the 5th NRF Open Assembly in alphabetical order:

  • Alaska Native Science Commission
  • Alaska SeaLife Center
  • Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center
  • ARCUS
  • BP
  • Chickaloon Village Traditional Council
  • Cinza Research
  • ConocoPhillips
  • Eimskip
  • First Alaskans Institute
  • Iceland America Energy
  • Institute of the North
  • Inuit Circumpolar Council
  • North Pacific Research Board
  • Office of the Governor of Alaska
  • Office of the Mayor of Anchorage
  • The Northern Forum
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Pacific Northwest
  • University of Alaska Anchorage
  • University of Alaska Office of the President
  • US Arctic Research Commission