ICR and EALÁT at the IPY Oslo Science Conference

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ICR and EALÁT at the IPY Oslo Science Conference - Story and Photos!

Written by Philip Burgess

Friday, 18 June 2010 14:43

The IPY Oslo Science Conference, 2010 has finally come to a close. This was a milestone event not only for the International Polar Year, seeing the culmination of 4 year long process and an opportunity to showcase the breadth and diversity of global polar research (2200 researchers participated from 60 countries). This was also a major event for the EALÁT project, as it brought together over 50 EALÁT Work Package leaders, researchers, reindeer herders, educators, partners, Reindeer Ambassadors and more together for the largest EALÁT gathering since the consortium meeting in January 2009.ICR was an active participant in the planning and execution of all phases of a significant contribution to the entire conference.

See all the photographs here.

The week was not only about EALÁT however. Between June 5 and 6 the Reindeer Ambassadors, a project part supported by ICR were in Oslo and participated in the Polar Teachers Conference which preceded the OSC and which included a delegation of 8 Polar teachers from the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Read about the Polar Teachers Conference and food production here.

On Monday, the Conference registration was opened in front of the Oslo Town Hall where a team from Kautokeino had erected two large lavvus creating a Sami siida in the heart of Norway’s capital. Aperitifs were served by staff from Thon Hotel Kautokeino featuring reindeer meat (of course) and music was provided by the renowned Sami band Adjagas.

Tuesday, the Conference was officially opened, and it was held in the cavernous Trade Fair Hall in Lillestrom, a short train ride away from
the city centre. Guests of honour at the opening were HRH the Crown Price of Norway who gave the opening speech, Prince Albert of
Monaco, and the renowned Arctic Scientist, Artur Chilingarov (see story on his speech here).

The visiting dignitaries showed a great deal of interest in the joint information centre established by the Sami University College (SUC) and ICR in Polar Commons information area. This area became a gathering point throughout the week for delegates and participants alike, no doubt enticed by the dried reindeer meat. The booth was coordinated by Ante Siri of SUC and Elna Sara of ICR.

Tuesday was the focus of activity for EALÁT researchers as well, with all EALÁT presentations grouped together in the T-4 session,
Communities and Change. The session was well attended throughout the day. 15 EALÁT WP leaders and Phd students made presentations, kicked off by EALÁT partner Dr. Robert Corell who set the scene.

Outside the imposing Conference Hall, the team from Kautokeino had also erected two large lavvu which were used for several events. In front of these lavvu there was another highlight of the week for the EALÁT team when ICR Director Anders Oskal introducing the Reindeer Ambassadors to the Canadian Minister for Indian and Northern Affairs, Chuck Strahl. Minister Strahl also gave a keynote at the Conference which you can read here. Oskal also had the opportunity to meet the famed Arctic scientist Artur Chilingarov.

On Thursday, the World Meteorological Organisation held a press conference inside the Lavvu. Director of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs Jan Egeland, formerly a diplomat, presented a UN climate initiative to map and predict short-term and long-term climate change, and to communicate the results to indigenous peoples all over the world. Mr Egeland, who is co-chair of the High-level Taskforce for the Global Framework for Climate Services. Egeland hosted the event jointly with director of the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, Anton Eliassen. Both stressed the importance of engagement by and with indigenous peoples in what promises to be an interesting partnership. In Norway, this will surely build on the already excellent partnership between EALÁT and the Norwegian Meteorological Institute.

The week wrapped up for the EALÁT team with the premiere of a documentary made by Philip Burgess of ICR on the work of the EALÁT project which was attended by over 100 people.

See all the photographs from the conference here.