Prince Albert II of Monaco to visit Kautokeino in March 2012

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Written by Philip Burgess

Thursday, 23 February 2012 19:04

HRH Prince Albert II of Monaco will visit Kautokeino Finnmark at the end of March 2012. The Association of World Reindeer Herders, the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry and the Kautokeino Municipality is hosting the visit. The Prince will meet indigenous youth from the circumpolar reindeer husbandry, to discuss the major changes now taking place in the Arctic indigenous areas with respect to climate change and industrial development. He will also participate in and give a lecture in conjunction with the "World Indigenous Television Broadcasting Conference" (www.WITBC2012.org) entitled, "Adapting to climate change and protection of the Arctic." This conference brings together indigenous television broadcasters from around the world.

HRH Prince Albert II has demonstrated an extensive global commitment to issues related to climate change and environmental protection for sustainable development, focusing in part on biodiversity. "The fact that His Royal Highness Prince Albert as a head of state and with its strong commitment now to visit Kautokeino to meet international reindeer youth is very important to Arctic indigenous communities in a challenging time," said Mikhail Pogodaev, the leader of the Association of World Reindeer Herders. The Mayor of Kautokeino, Klemet Erland Hætta in Kautokeino also emphasized the event, "This visit shows that Kautokeino has gradually been put on the map in the northern regions where indigenous issues are discussed. We look forward to giving a good reception to HRH Prince Albert in Kautokeino. "

Nearly 100,000 reindeer herders and 20 different indigenous peoples are involved in reindeer husbandry around the North, and reindeer are important to the life and economy of Arctic indigenous communities. New knowledge related to changes in climate and land use will be important for the sustainable management of the North. "It is important to use both scientific and traditional knowledge to build robust communities in the Arctic for the future, which will also be discussed during the Prince's visit," stated Anders Oskal, the Director of the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry. The visit of HRH Prince Albert II will include a visit to the Finnmark plateau and will participate in an official event in Kautokeino.

Further information:
Director Anders Oskal, International Reindeer Centre
Tel. 47 9945 0010. Email ax@reindeercentre.org

Mayor Klemet Erland Hætta, Kautokeino municipality
Tel. 47 9187 1744. Email keh@kautokeino.kommune.no

Professor, Svein D. Mathiesen, International Centre reindeer
Tel. +47 9052 4116 Email Svein.D.Mathiesen @ gmail.com

Leader Mikhail Pogodaev, the Association of World Reindeer People
Tel. +7 911 9169780 Email pogodaevm@gmail.com