Some of the team gathered at SIOI headquarters in Rome, Italy. Alessandra Caruso, Andreas Østhagen, Ole Dokka, Serafima Andreeva, Bård Borch Michalsen, Iselin Németh Winther, Andreas Raspotnik, Benedikte Kosmo Underland.
The international conference Arctic Connections was co-organized by the High North Center for Business and Governance, the Italian Society for International Organization (SIOI), and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Rome, in collaboration with Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, as well as several key partners.
New Realities
The High North is facing new realities—realities that seem to change rapidly these days.
This shift is linked to ongoing global developments and changing realities that impact those of us living and working in the High North. From global politics to geoeconomics, the climate crisis to demographic shifts, the development of green skills to sustainable practices, and the transformative potential of AI to its disruptive impact—these are just a few of the forces shaping our future.
But how can we best approach and navigate these new realities in the High North?
– We need to talk about it. We must be at the forefront of the discussions and developments that will shape our future. These conversations should not be confined to our own borders. We need to discuss the High North—its challenges, its complexities, and, most importantly, its opportunities and solutions to global issues—with those stakeholders who are increasingly interested in our region, says Andreas Raspotnik, director at the High North Center.
He thinks that an event such as Arctic Connections, along with the High North Center’s partnership with the Italian Society for International Organization (SIOI), is of utmost importance.
It provides a unique opportunity for us to engage in dialogue with key policy stakeholders—both emerging and senior—who have an increasing interest in the High North
Andreas Raspotnik
– It allows us to hear their ideas on the future of the Arctic region and presents an opportunity for us to share our solutions with them, Raspotnik says.
Space in the Arctic
On March 31, the event Space in the Arctic took place, offering a significant opportunity for discussion and dialogue among Italian, Norwegian, and international stakeholders. The session focused on the Arctic as a vital region for space activities and explored how international cooperation could enhance space governance in the region.
On April 1, Arctic Eight and Beyond was held. Organized in collaboration with the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI) in Oslo, the roundtable brought together a select group of experts to address the geopolitical dynamics, regional tensions, and the increasing role of non-Arctic actors.
