Editor in High North News, Arne O. Holm. PHOTO: Markus J. Thonhaugen.
Editor Arne O. Holm in the High North News believes that it can no longer be taken for granted that NATO will come to Norway's aid in a crisis situation.
– It is problematic. The guarantees are there, but the question is whether NATO will take the chance when the consequence is World War III.
Holm is in Anchorage, Alaska, where he and researchers from the High North Center (HNC) are part of the official program for the big conference Arctic Encounter - which started Wednesday.
At the conference, new research from the HNC is presented, including a new report on blue economy from the ArcBlue-project.
Raised several points
The topic was discussed Monday this week as Holm guested an event organized by the Alaska World Affairs Council, at the 49th State Brewery in Anchorage.
In the live talk, he raised crucial points on the geopolitical intricacies in the Arctic.
Highlighting the strategic vulnerability of areas like Svalbard and northern Norway, Holm underlined that NATO's support for Norway, in case of a northern crisis, shouldn't be assumed.
– Would an attack on northern Northern Norway, where few people live, trigger Article Five? There is reason to be concerned about that question.
Holm stressed that Russia currently poses no threat to Norway. The question is what will be the situation in two to five years if Ukraine loses the war.
New report
Both he and researchers from the HNC are part of the official program at the big conference this week.
The Arctic Encounter in Anchorage brings together more than 1,000 professionals, scientists and top politicians to discuss geopolitics and questions about the Arctic.
Wednesday the above-mentioned ArcBlue-report was presented during a session at the conference.
The report shows how Alaska, Greenland, and North Norway can learn from each other and use the ocean in smart ways for business while protecting the environment and supporting local communities.
– The report created a toolbox with best practices and lessons generated from the three regions to be used by different stakeholders in all three regions, according to author Apostolos Tsiouvalas.
Students excelled in Arctic visualization
On Wednesday, an enlightening event was also hosted by researcher Andrey Mineev from the HNC.
Students had the opportunity to delve into the intricacies of analyzing Arctic socio-economic information through the mediums of data visualization and data storytelling.
Guided by the expertise of Mineev, the instructor for the session, attendees learned valuable skills in crafting informative and visually appealing infographics from scratch.
The workshop proved to be a success, as reflected in the students' enthusiasm and the high quality of the infographics produced.
This hands-on experience not only enhanced their analytical skills but also equipped them with the tools to effectively communicate complex data.
Storytelling in the Arctic
Thursday Arne O. Holm also attended the plenary session «Harnessing Storytelling and Media in Northern Communities».
In today's world, storytelling holds immense power in connecting people and fostering empathy. The session emphasized the significance of storytelling in creating positive change, with personal experiences being shared about feeling heard and validated through storytelling.
Through their conversations, the participants agreed that storytelling is essential for understanding each other's perspectives and creating a more compassionate society.
The Arctic Encounter Symposium finishes Friday.
- The Arctic Encounter Symposium (AES) is the largest annual Arctic policy and business event in the United States.
- AES aims to confront the shared interests and concerns of the United States and the global community.
- AES also features major cultural productions, including live performances, the Far North Fashion Show, northern and traditional artist vendors, and more.
