ICASS is held every three years, bringing together people from all over the world to share ideas about
social science research in the Arctic. ICASS VII, held in Akureyri in June 2011, attracted 450
participants from 30 different countries.

ICASS VIII's theme is Northern Sustainabilities. By using the plural, we underscore both that
‘sustainability’ has social, cultural, economic, political and environmental dimensions, and that
definitions of the concept vary. Yet, while debating specific definitions, most would agree that working
toward sustainable ways of living in the North and on approaches to sustainable engagement with the
North, are critical both to the North’s and to the world’s future. Community sustainability in the North,
whether for small settlements or large urban conglomerations, requires new models of food and
energy security, and of access to employment, health care and social and cultural services for
residents. The North is faced with demographic challenges to sustainability. Appropriate governance
regimes for renewable and non-renewable resources underpin sustainable development. We will
welcome sessions and papers on all facets of sustainability in the North. And, as always, we also
welcome sessions and papers on all other subjects of relevance to our members.

We encourage participation of indigenous peoples, northern residents, decision-makers and
politicians, so that ICASS VIII provides a rich environment in which to advance discussions on
sustainabilities in the North and on other Northern matters.

A Call for Sessions will be distributed later this Spring, and the Call for Papers will be distributed in
Autumn 2013, with a preliminary list of sessions.

The University of the Arctic’s Council Meetings (20-21 May, 2014) will directly precede ICASS VIII, at UNBC.

For further information on ICASS VIII please contact:

Cher Mazo
IASSA Secretary
E-mail: cherlyn.mazo@unbc.ca