The conference provides an international forum for debate and analysis of a variety of issues related to past, present and future of the university/ academic cooperation and its significance for the Barents Euro-Arctic region development. Russian and foreign scholars, students, politicians, business and industry representatives will discuss and analyze the 20 years’ history of the BEAR cooperation (experiences, success stories and challenges) as well as develop a vision of the future cooperation (new forms and formats of participation, actors, agenda).

The conference hosts the following thematic streams:
A. Twenty years of history of cooperation in the Barents Euro-Arctic Region: success stories, perspectives, new start?
B. Cooperation in the Barents Euro-Arctic Region in the field of education: time for research based education?
C. Research cooperation in the Barents Euro-Arctic Region: university as a resource for business and industry development.
D. Education and career pathways in the Barents Euro-Arctic Region through the eyes of young people.

Preliminary program:
November 26 - arrival of participants
November 27 - plenary session, thematic streams, panel discussion
November 28 - thematic streams, a youth forum, summarizing
November 29 – (a) meeting of the BEAC Working Group on Education and Science (JWGER BEAC); (b) meeting of the Arctic association of Russian Universities; (c) working seminar Horizon – 2020; cultural program, departure of participants
November 30 - departure of participants

Registration forms and abstracts are to be submitted by 15th October, 2012. Registration is available at http://cibear.narfu.ru or by e-mail: cibear@narfu.ru
Abstracts should not exceed 300 words. The heading of the abstract should contain the author’s name, organization, full address and contact information.

Contacts and additional information:
Conference e-mail: cibear@narfu.ru
Natalia KUKARENKO – Ass. Vice-Rector for International Cooperation, NArFU;
Alexander SABUROV – Expert of the International Projects Unit at International Cooperation Department