My Experiences at the Arctic Circle Assembly 2024: Outreach, Connections, and Learning
"I live in Tromsø, where I study as a PhD Research Fellow at UiT- The Arctic University of Norway (UiT). Tromsø is a beautiful city, but I always feel excited flying into Reykjavik. Its colourful houses, warm community, and fantastic geography make it irresistible. Yet, what truly makes Reykjavik unique, in my opinion, is that it hosts one of the Arctic's significant gatherings: the Arctic Circle Assembly (ACA), where politicians, practitioners and young professionals from diverse Arctic fields converge.
I first attended the ACA in 2022, leading a group of bachelor's students from UiT who had received grants from then-Nansen Professor Rasmus Gjedssø Bertelsen. The ACA impressed me with its high-profile plenary speakers and engaging side events. Meeting and connecting with other attendees became the icing on the cake. After my first attendance at the ACA, I left with a personal commitment to attend the ACA whenever possible.
As a PhD scholar in Comparative Indigenous Studies focusing on energy justice and Indigenous peoples' participation in renewable projects, the ACA sessions resonated with my research. Some sessions featured Indigenous scholars and activists across the Arctic, offering valuable opportunities to hear first-hand accounts of their experiences and insights. One of my best sessions at the ACA 2024 was a plenary session titled Indigenizing International Law, moderated by Dalee Sambo Dorough with Pirita Näkkäläjärvi (President of the Finnish Sami Parliament) and Kate Mackintosh as speakers. Their session explored Indigenous participation in decision-making and highlighted the role of international law in securing Indigenous Rights. The ACA is also known for welcoming non-Arctic states and institutions and creating space to discuss their contributions to Arctic science and diplomacy. As someone from Ghana, connecting with other participants from the sub-Arctic gave me further insights into the Arctic's global significance.
My attendance at the ACA 2024 was made possible by a travel grant from the UArctic, without which this experience of mine would not have been feasible. This grant allowed me to participate in pre-ACA events, attend the ACA and assist at my university's booth promoting a new master's and PhD course starting in 2025. I also shared the collaborative spirit and projects of the Arctic 5 Universities, now expanded to Arctic 6 with Nord University's recent admission.
Prepared for the occasion, I was honoured to receive an invitation to moderate a side event on community-led renewable energy projects in Norway, the US, Canada and Finland. This experience boosted my confidence and connected me closely with the attendees, many of whom expressed interest in my newly published titled Saved by the Snowy Owl.
For master's and PhD students researching Arctic themes, I strongly recommend the UArctic travel grant for similar events, as conferences have become a springboard for generating many research ideas and offering a front-row seat for understanding Arctic developmental issues."
- Larry Ibrahim Mohammed
Supported by Global Affairs Canada through the Global Arctic Leadership Initiative