Arctic Frontiers goes digital 1 – 4 February 2021. Building Bridges was raised as a potential theme early last March, when the administration had an initial meeting to discuss the content of the 2021 conference. The meeting was supposed to take place live in Tromsø on 13 March, but on 12 March as Norway locked down for the first time, the flights were cancelled and a two days’ brainstorming took place. Read more about how Arctic Frontiers in Tromsø, Norway goes digital 2021.
Little did the administration know then that Building Bridges would come to symbolize not only the central theme for Arctic Frontiers 2021, but its own internal mantra planning the digital conference via hundreds of online meetings.
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While the format of Arctic Frontiers has changed, the organization remain committed to delivering the full suite of Arctic Frontiers content in robust plenary, science and young programs. If anything, Arctic Frontiers is able to dive deeper into its themes, securing highly respected speakers and reaching a global audience with impactful content and discussions around the most pressing issues facing the Arctic societies.
The year under the banner of Building Bridges consists of four thematic days that bridge both plenary and science topics:
Monday 1 February: Arctic Health and Well-being
Tuesday 2 February: Resilient Arctic Voices
Wednesday 3 February: Oceans and Society
Thursday 4 February: Arctic Economies – Pressures and Responses
From a live studio in Tromsø Arctic Frontiers will host the plenary discussions through a combination of panel discussions and prerecorded content relevant to the daily themes. With Tromsø as the backdrop, Arctic Frontiers will invite a small number of guests to participate live in the studio and welcome other speakers from around the world.
You can read the Arctic Fronters 2020 Summary here
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New executive director
The Arctic Frontiers announced transition earlier this year, and the organization’s new Executive Director, Anu Fredrikson, joined the team in Tromsø in the beginning of October. Fredrikson has long experience working with Arctic affairs both from policy and business perspective. Before joining the Arctic Frontiers she held the position of Director of the Arctic Economic Council, an independent business organization working across the Arctic as well as globally. Prior to the Arctic Economic Council, Fredrikson worked as an advisor on political affairs and Arctic policy at the Embassy of Finland in Oslo, Norway.
Fredrikson is no stranger to Arctic Frontiers. She has worked with the organization and Arctic Frontiers team in her previous capacities since 2012. “I have witnessed the development of Arctic Frontiers throughout the years and am impressed by the organization’s journey so far. I look very much forward to building upon this foundation in collaboration with the organization’s partners and friends. The Covid-19 pandemic has forced us to think anew, and I see this forced change as an opportunity to renew our concept. Considering the increased attention towards the challenges caused by climate change, the Arctic Frontiers with its convening power and unique scientific strength will continue to be an important platform on the path towards an even more sustainable development in the Arctic” Fredrikson says.
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Anu Fredrikson was born and raised in Northern Finland. Having studied and worked in France, USA and Norway, her background further strengthens the already international team working for Arctic Frontiers.
Feature image (on top): Tromsø, Arctic Council
Arctic Frontiers in Tromsø, Norway Goes Digital 2021, a press release from Arctic Frontiers