The Finnish tradition of preparedness and “sisu” have been internationally celebrated as examples for other nations to follow. At the same time, the presence of the military alliance NATO is more visible in Rovaniemi and in Lapland than ever before. For example, later in the fall, there will be an artillery exercise in Rovaniemi in conjunction with the largest ever NATO artillery exercise organised in Europe. The increasing sounds of fighter planes taking off and landing at the Lapland Air Wing have become part of local everyday life. 

Overall, the global political situation has brought resilience to the fore, whether it is about security politics, the adaptability of communities or the strengths of individuals. This prompts us to ask, Does resilience also have an increasing role in the militarisation of societies? As part of a Nordic project, researchers will gather at the University of Lapland to discuss the links between militarisation and resilience 12-13 November.

In her lecture, Senior Researcher Robin May Schott, the Danish Institute for International Studies, will examine the ways in which resilience militarises intimate relations. Schott has studied the families of American soldiers and the negative effects that the demand for resilience have for individuals and the people around them. Professor Lauren Rickards, who leads La Trobe Climate Change Adaptation Lab in Melbourne, has studied broadly the complex questions of sustainanability and resilience. In her lecture, she will discuss the entanglements of resilience and militarisation in the Australian context. 

The lectures of Schott (12 Nov) and Rickards (13 Nov) are open for all interested. Because of space limitations, please inform about your participation by 8 November (powers@ulapland.fi). The program of the Resilience and Militarisation workshop: www.ulapland.fi/EN/Webpages/POWERS/Rovaniemi-workshop-Resilience-and-Militarisation

The workshop is part of the activities funded by the research councils in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden responsible for research within the Humanities and Social Sciences (NOS-HS). The aim of the workshops is to develop new research areas and to strengthen Nordic cooperation. 

For more information:
Marjo Lindroth, Arctic Centre, marjo.lindroth[at]ulapland.fi
Heidi Sinevaara-Niskanen, Gender Studies, Faculty of Education, heidi.sinevaara-niskanen[at]ulapland.fi