Finland’s leading Arctic event, the Rovaniemi Arctic Spirit conference organized by the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland, is taking a significant new international step to North America.

In mid-February, together with local Finnish
embassies, Arctic Spirit -branded events will be organized in the Canadian capital,
Ottawa, and in the US capital, Washington DC.

Both events
highlight Finland as an Arctic country and discuss the current situation in the
Arctic region. The expert panels focus on Arctic geopolitics and the functionality
of the Arctic region, with topics such as tourism and the green
transition.

– It is important that the University of Lapland and
its Arctic Centre are key contributors to the discussion on Finland’s Arctic
profile in Northern America, says Mari-Anna Suurmunne
Director of International Relations t the University of Lapland.

– At the same time, we strengthen our own profile as an arctic research
university and an interesting partner to Canadian and US universities, she
continues.

The Finnish speakers come from the Arctic
Centre and the University of Lapland. In Washington DC; the Finnish Institute of
International Affairs also participates. In addition, there will be leading Canadian
and American experts invited by the Finnish embassies.

– This is
a really significant and appropriate opening for us. It gives the Arctic Centre and
the University of Lapland much visibility in North America and creates new
opportunities for cooperation, says Johanna Ikävalko,
director of the Arctic Centre.

For the Arctic Spirit Conference
the events open up a whole new dimension.

– Under the Arctic
Spirit brand, we can offer high-quality, topical and targeted Arctic discussion and
together with Finnish embassies highlight Finland as an Arctic country Canada and
the United States, which are Finland’s key Arctic partners, says
Markku Heikkilä, head of science communication at the
Arctic Centre who also leads the Arctic Spirit conferences.

Invited events will be held in Ottawa on February 13th and in Washington DC
on February 15th.

Additional information:

Johanna Ikävalko
Arctic Centre at the University of
Lapland
johanna.ikavalko(at)ulapland.fi
+358400
291066

Mari-Anna Suurmunne
University of
Lapland
Mari-Anna.Suurmunne(at)ulapland.fi
+35840 184
3052

Markku Heikkilä 
Arctic Centre at the
University of Lapland
markku.heikkila(at)ulapland.fi
+35840
4844300