Finnish Arctic Spirit was well received in Canada and the USA

Finnish ambassadors to the US and Canada, Jari Vilén
and Mikko Hautala, invited key Arctic figures and other interested stakeholders from
both countries to learn about Finland’s role as an Arctic country and discuss other
current Arctic topics.

Arctic Centre senior researcher
Sanna Kopra participated in Arctic security related discussions and emphasized the
roles of China and the acute reality of climate change. The Arctic Centre director
Johanna Ikävalko, moderated a panel discussion with the theme “sustainable and just
future”, to which Arctic Centre senior researcher Tanja Joona and University of
Lapland professor of tourism research Outi Rantala participated as speakers. In
addition, the Arctic Centre head of science communications, Markku Heikkilä, gave
opening keynotes about Finland as an Arctic country.

Alongside the Finnish specialists, key Arctic experts representing Canadian and US
research institutes and ministries participated in the panels, including Department
of Defence speakers from both countries.

Geopolitics has
recently been predominant in the Arctic discussions. However, the events received
positive feedback from attendees, as Finnish participants also addressed other
topics. Especially questions related to tourism and the sustainability of green
transition gave new perspectives for the audience, as the differences and
similarities in the Arctic conditions in Northern America and Finland were
emphasized.

A strong wish was heard in both Ottawa and
Washington, that Finland’s Arctic Spirit goes North America -events would be
organized in Canada and the US as well in the future. The name Arctic Spirit refers
to Rovaniemi Arctic Spirit conference series, with the next event coming up in
2025.

The first
event of the North American Arctic Spirit Week was organized in Ottawa, Canada.
Photo: Markku Heikkilä.