Arctic Spirit events will be organized in Ottawa and at the Embassy of Finland in Washington (in the picture) in mid-February. Photo: Markku Heikkilä.
Finland's leading Arctic event, the Rovaniemi Arctic Spirit conference organized by the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland, is taking a significant new international step to North America.
In mid-February, together with local Finnish embassies, Arctic Spirit -branded events will be organized in the Canadian capital, Ottawa, and in the US capital, Washington DC.
Both events highlight Finland as an Arctic country and discuss the current situation in the Arctic region. The expert panels focus on Arctic geopolitics and the functionality of the Arctic region, with topics such as tourism and the green transition.
– It is important that the University of Lapland and its Arctic Centre are key contributors to the discussion on Finland's Arctic profile in Northern America, says Mari-Anna Suurmunne Director of International Relations t the University of Lapland.
– At the same time, we strengthen our own profile as an arctic research university and an interesting partner to Canadian and US universities, she continues.
The Finnish speakers come from the Arctic Centre and the University of Lapland. In Washington DC; the Finnish Institute of International Affairs also participates. In addition, there will be leading Canadian and American experts invited by the Finnish embassies.
– This is a really significant and appropriate opening for us. It gives the Arctic Centre and the University of Lapland much visibility in North America and creates new opportunities for cooperation, says Johanna Ikävalko, director of the Arctic Centre.
For the Arctic Spirit Conference the events open up a whole new dimension.
– Under the Arctic Spirit brand, we can offer high-quality, topical and targeted Arctic discussion and together with Finnish embassies highlight Finland as an Arctic country Canada and the United States, which are Finland's key Arctic partners, says Markku Heikkilä, head of science communication at the Arctic Centre who also leads the Arctic Spirit conferences.
Invited events will be held in Ottawa on February 13th and in Washington DC on February 15th.
Additional information:
Johanna Ikävalko
Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland
johanna.ikavalko(at)ulapland.fi
+358400 291066
Mari-Anna Suurmunne
University of Lapland
Mari-Anna.Suurmunne(at)ulapland.fi
+35840 184 3052
Markku Heikkilä
Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland
markku.heikkila(at)ulapland.fi
+35840 4844300