Bodø is hosting the international Arctic Emergency Management Conference (AEMC) on March 18-20.
"It is urgent to discuss new challenges and risks in our part of the world. Experts, decision makers, authorities, academics and practitioners are now gathering to strengthen preparedness in the Arctic, both on land, at sea and in the air, says Rune Elvegård at the Center for Crisis Management and Collaboration - Nordlab at Nord University.
"This is the first time that all these stakeholders gather to discuss the overall preparedness for various types of dangers and risks in the Arctic."
The conference covers important themes such as marine environmental preparedness, health preparedness, search and rescue operations, radiation protection, as well as preparedness for wildland fires in the Arctic. Integration of indigenous knowledge in preparedness work is also central.
"The initiative for the conference comes from the Arctic Council* and their working group on Emergency prevention, prepardness and response (EPPR), as part of the official programme for the Norwegian leadership of the Arctic Council. Nord University is incredibly proud to be a co-organiser", says Elvegård.
There is an increased risk of man-made disasters and accidents in the Arctic as a result of more industrial and tourist-related activity as well as climate change.
"The combination of more extreme weather and increasing risk of floods, landslides and fire, together with more transport, infrastructure and the use of different energy sources and technologies, forces us to prevent and prepare", says head of centre, Natalia Andreassen.
"The wider context for the conference emphasizes the need for Arctic nations and local communities to coordinate their preparedness efforts to strengthen social security in the region and in local communities."
Ole Kristian Bjerkemo, Chair of EPPR, adds:
"We don't know when, the extent of or where the next serious crisis will occur, where national and international preparedness will be put to the test. Through the conference, we meet colleagues from other countries with whom we may have to collaborate in the event of a real crisis or in another way. The conference is an important arena for sharing knowledge and experience that we can work on in the Arctic Council or nationally."
We don't know when, the extent of or where the next serious crisis will occur.
Ole Kristian Bjerkemo
The conference is organised at Nord University in Bodø, and it is possible for anyone to participate either in person or online. There will be lectures, workshops, debates, poster flash talks and a supplier exhibition of new innovations, technology and services.
It will also be possible to see and visit ships from the coast guard and sea rescue with tours and demonstrations.
There are many Indigenous Peoples in North America who have a wealth of experience, knowledge and skills about the Arctic.
The Inuit Circumpolar Council invites to knowledge sharing on how indigenous knowledge can increase understanding of the changes in the Arctic and strengthen preparedness.
Why and how should indigenous people be formally included in the total emergency response force and mobilised in critical incidents such as wildland fires, marine accidents and in search and rescue? How can indigenous knowledge be used to prevent and prepare for emergency situations in the Arctic?
Participants are expected from all Arctic countries, as well as observers from the Arctic Council. For those who do not have the opportunity to travel, arrangements are made for streaming (digital presentation) of the event.
The AEMC is attended by representatives from the Norwegian government, Arctic indigenous peoples and youth organisations, voluntary organisations, government organisations, the working groups of the Arctic Council, the UN, the rescue service and radiation protection, to name a few.
Leading research environments will also contribute, among others the World Maritime University (IMO), the University of Anchorage (USA), the University of Alaska Fairbanks (USA), St. Francis Xavier University (Canada), Trent University (Canada), Dalhousie university (Canada), Memorial University (Canada), The Arctic University of Norway UiT (Norway), Nord University (Norway), NIBIO (Norway), Laurea University of Applied Sciences (Finland), Lund University (Sweden), RISE Research institute of Sweden, RISE fire research (Norway), the University College of Copenhagen (Denmark), the Royal Danish Defence College (Denmark), the University of Iceland (Iceland) and The Arctic Institute.
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*Arctic Council
The Arctic Council is the most important international forum for Arctic issues, particularly the environment, climate and sustainable economic development. The council consists of the eight Arctic states Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the USA, as well as six permanent indigenous organisations. The leadership rotates among the eight member countries, and Norway has the leadership in the period 2023-2025.
