"I am a political science student at the University of Lapland and a student representative in the UArctic Board. I have the pleasure of sharing my thoughts regarding the Arctic Youth Conference, held in Tromsø, Norway from the 24th to the 26th of January 2025.
The conference brought together over 270 youths from all over the Arctic with diverse backgrounds to discuss, network and most importantly collaborate about issues and opportunities regarding the Arctic. The conference was a part of the cross-cutting priority on Arctic Youth of the Norwegian Chairship of the Arctic Council, and a key deliverable emphasizing the importance of youth inclusion and involvement. To ensure a youth-led conference, the Norwegian Chairship formed a committee of young representatives from various organizations spanning the Arctic.
One of the greatest accomplishments of the conference was its ability to build on existing foundations and, most importantly, to create potential for broader youth-related pan-Arctic collaboration. The conference created a platform for youth to discuss and collaborate between themselves, but also to bridge diverse cultures and perspectives.
In May of 2024, I received an invitation from the UArctic President and Secretary General to participate in the committee as a student representative of UArctic. I gladly accepted the offer, not knowing how significant a part of international collaboration I was about to partake in and the work we were about to do.
Throughout the following months prior to the conference, I participated in weekly meetings for the committee, deciding from the artistic designs of the banners to the selection of the side events. In addition, I was part of planning two plenary session, one being” Arctic Youth Voices: Leading the Future of a Resilient North” which was split into two parts. The first one being the first plenary session of the conference in which we gathered a vast roster of upcoming and current Arctic youth leaders to talk about what it means to be a leader in the Arctic and what challenges they are facing. I had the privilege of moderating the panel with another committee member, representing the Saami Council and the PP youth (Permanent Participant Youth Network) in the Youth Committee.
The second part was held on the last day as the last workshop of the conference. For two hours, we led more direct discussions with the participants about the challenges and ideas discussed during the previous days, the first hour being only with youth and the second with the Arctic Parliamentarians. The results of this workshop will inform the writing of a recommendation document, from the committee to key Arctic stakeholders and decision makers.
The second plenary session I took part in planning was the “Art as a Bridge: Translating Knowledge in the Arctic” session in which we focused on how research result can be translated into art, making research more accessible to everyone. Emphasizing this approach highlighted how crucial it is to share research outcomes with the people and communities in the Arctic.
Participating in the planning of the conference was immensely beneficial and I cannot express my gratitude bestowed upon me for giving me the opportunity. Not only did it help me understand how important international Arctic collaboration is, but the conference gave me motivation to fight for youth involvement and engagement.
The conference enabled me to meet new people, including high-level officials with whom I shared my thoughts related to youth issues. I also had the opportunity to listen and learn more about Indigenous Peoples. I gained insights into the importance of their culture in the Arctic and the distinct challenges they face from one country to another. Additionally, I learned about the terrifying effects of climate change and how it has impacted their way of living. While we might have come from diverse backgrounds in every conceivable way, we still shared a similar interest, the wellbeing of the Arctic and anyone who inhabits it.
In this context, it's crucial to recognize the diversity among young people, who hold various opinions, beliefs, and worldviews. These differences should be respected in discussions, while avoiding generalizations that do not reflect the broad spectrum of youth in the Arctic. At the end of the day, I believe just like the Arctic Council we must work on a consensus basis. We might not agree with everything, but we must work together for the common goals we share which require putting our own goals aside and believing in collaboration more than self-interest.
I will use the opportunity of this article to relay some key information and opinions that might prove useful not only in academia but across the Arctic. While the recommendation of the committee will be released or have been released after the publication of this article, the following remain my own views.
Structural changes are essential to integrate youth into all levels of decision-making. There should be unified funding specifically tailored for young innovators and youth in general in the Arctic and ensuring it is readily accessible. Additionally, I advocate for expanded pan-Arctic youth collaboration at an organizational level, which would facilitate regular interaction among young people. It is also crucial to equip young people with the tools they need to effectively contribute to the organizations they represent. Finally, the Arctic Youth Conference must evolve beyond a one-time event or mere social gathering into a consistent framework that fosters meaningful and sustained contributions by young people.
As I have mentioned previously, institutions, including those in academia, should not overlook the contributions of youth simply due to their inexperience. The inclusion of so many, including mine, are the result of trusting youth in key decisions and representation. No one is truly ready for responsibility at an early age, but it’s about learning to grow and providing a better base for the next generations to build upon. Giving youth in your organization a chance to shine might provide an investment that could benefit you in the future, but it requires trust. Trust in the potential of youth.
For this final part, I believe it is essential to thank the amazing people of the Arctic Council Secretariat who were able to make the conference happen. The members of the committee with whom I had the pleasure of working throughout the eight months of planning as well as all the attendees! The conference is a testament of what can be done, when people see the potential of something bigger. However, it is important to note how this wasn’t accomplished alone. Each contribution, no matter how small, played a crucial role in success. This collective work highlights the power of collaboration, proving that with motivated people and trust, we can overcome challenges and reach new heights."
By Viljo Vuorimäki, UArctic Board student representative
February 2025