Co-existence in the Arctic
Industrial activities in indigenous peoples' areas represent severe challenges for the indigenous peoples. At the conference "Co-existence in the Arctic", indigenous peoples' representatives and others will gather to exchamge experiences and discuss ways of working towards a joint development of the Arctic.
Venue: Aurora kino, Kirkenes, Norway
February 5th 2010
08.30-16.00
Bus transfer between Sollia gjestegård and the city centre (meeting venue and culture events) will be provided.
Daily flights to Kirkenes from Oslo and Tromsø and daily bus to/from Murmansk.
Due to accomodational challenges, the participants are asked to be prepared for sharing double rooms. Preferences regarding this matter can be routed to the secretariat.
It is possible to sign up for accomodation thoughout the festival - please contact the secretariat for coordination of your stay.
Registration fee:
Conference and lunch: NOK 500
Conference, lunch and accommodation: NOK 1500
Program Co-existence in the Arctic
Chair: Ms Gunn-Britt Retter (Saami Council) and Bjarne Store-Jakobsen (WGIP)
0830 Opening
Mr Raimo Valle, State Secretary of the Norwegian Ministry of Government Administration, Reform and Church Affairs
0900 Indigenous peoples’ rights and international legislation – Corporate Social Responsibility
Mr Magne Ove Varsi. Director of Gáldu – Resource Centre for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
0950 Coffee break
1010 Indigenous peoples’ international cooperation – Involvement and joining of forces
Mr Benjamin Powless, member of the Indigenous Environmental Network
1050 Indigenous peoples in encounters with the industry – Experiences from the Russian Federation
Mr Pavel V. Sulyandziga, Vice-president of RAIPON and member of the UNPFII
1130 Lunch
1230 Indigenous peoples in encounters with the industry – Experiences from the Kola Peninsula
Ms Valentina V. Sovkina, Head of the Council of Authorized Representatives of the Saami in Murmansk Oblast
1310 Indigenous peoples in encounters with the industry – Experiences from Canada and the oil sands projects in Alberta
Mr George Poitras, former Chief of the Mikisew Cree First Nation
1340 Coffee break
1400 Plenary discussion
15.55 Closing
LOCATION: Aurora kino, city centre of Kirkenes
About the conference:
Arctic resources are desperately wanted by the industrialized world – is it possible to develop the Arctic region AND preserve it for future generations? All eyes are on the Arctic, and everybody wants a piece of the rich land – but isn’t it in fact a joint venture?
The Working Group of Indigenous Peoples in the Barents Euro-Arctic Region (WGIP) is the host of this conference, together with Gáldu – Resource Centre for Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Norwegian Barents Secretariat. About 120 indigenous politicians and activists, representatives from industrial companies and authorities, as well as experts on indigenous peoples’ rights and international legislation are invited to share experiences and discuss the further development of the Arctic.
Kirkenes is situated on the border to the Russian Federation, and the conference will be coordinated with the program of the festival Barents Spektakel 2010, including political discussions, art, performances and concerts.More extensive information is to come, but you are hereby encouraged to mark the date in your calendar.
Expenses are covered for participants representing indigenous peoples’ organizations in Russia, in order to secure a broad Russian participation.
Questions can be routed to Christina@barents.no
