Arctic Centre Multidisciplinary Research Institute and Science CentreWWW.ARCTICCENTRE.ORG
Arctic Centre Multidisciplinary Research Institute and Science Centre
WWW.ARCTICCENTRE.ORG
Arctic Centre
Research Institute and Science Centre
An institute of the University of Lapland
Objectives:
To increase the knowledge, awareness and understanding of the Arctic region, both within the region itself and beyond.
To produce and spread information as the basis for decision-making and to support the formation of general opinion.
Three main components: Research Unit (including NIEM), Information Services, Science Centre
Key partner in local, national, and international networks
Staff about 50-60 people
Located on the banks of the Ounasjoki, in Rovaniemi, Finland
Arctic Centre
Vision:
Centre of excellence in Arctic research and knowledge
Mission:
Multidisciplinary research of the Arctic area and information dissemination
Goal:
Increased knowledge, awareness and understanding of the Arctic both within and outside the Arctic area
Values:
The sustainable development of the Arctic based on strong knowledge
Organization
Research Section
Global Change
Research Professor
Sustainable Development
Research Professor
Northern Institute of Environmental and Minority Law (NIEM)
Director; Research Professor Information Services & Library
Head Science Centre Exhibition
Chief Executive Producer Arctic Centre Board Director
Administration University of Lapland Board Rector
Budget
Allocated by the Ministry of the Education
Annual basic budget is about €2.35 m
Annual external funding is €1.28 m
- EU programmes (30%)
- Finnish Academy (25%)
- Ministries (25%)
- Others (20%)
Funding 1993-2004
History
1979 European Cultural Foundation’s proposal to create an Arctic museum
1983/84 International architectural competition for a museum building
1985 Arctic Centre Foundation established
1986 Project developed as a theme of Finland’s 75th anniversary celebrations
1987 Government of Finland and City of Rovaniemi financing decision
1987 Formation of the Arctic Centre Property Company (construction company)
1988 Proposal to establish the Arctic Centre as an institute at the University of Lapland
1988 Operations at the Arctic Centre begin
1989 Official founding of the Arctic Centre as a separate institute of the University
1990 Construction of the Arktikum house begins
1992 Opening ceremonies of the Arktikum house
1996 Construction of the Institute part of Arktikum house begins
1997 Opening Ceremonies of the Institute Building and Information Service and researchers move into the premises
Multidisciplinary research
Internationally recognized centre for Arctic research
25-30 scientists from natural and social sciences, and law
combining scientific and traditional knowledge in cooperation with indigenous and local people
Themes:
Global Change
Sustainable Development
Environment and Minority Law
Research Project Examples
Global change
Environmental and social impacts of industrial development in Northern Russia
Reindeer management today and possibilities of new
participatory approaches
Glaciological studies on climate change, Svalbard, Antarctic
Birds as indicators of the environmental change
Population management and traditional hunting
Impacts of forestry on northern biodiversity
Impacts of UV-radiation on plant and animal physiology
Research Project Examples
Sustainable Development
Arctic operational platform; socio-economic impacts of
building a oil terminal
Economic impacts of climate change in the Barents region
Governance of renewable natural resources in Northwest Russia
International environmental cooperation in Northwest Russia: Russian experiences
Indigenous peoples organizations as international political actors
Sami identity politics
Northern Institute for Environment and Minority Law
A legal research institute with focus over Arctic issues
Co-ordinates Arctic Governance curriculum within ASP
Publication Series Juridica Lapponica (28 publications)
Four researchers and 8 graduate students
Research project examples:
Environmental Impact Assessment in the Arctic
Climate Change in the Arctic: the Role of Law
Human Right to Decent Environment
Environmental Rights of Indigenous Peoples
The Legal Regulation Related to Sami
The Regulation of Public Participation in Law
Effectiveness of International Environmental Agreements
Historic Land Rights in Finnish Lapland
Education
Arctic Studies Program
Interdisciplinary undergraduate program for students from all around the world
One year
ARKTIS Graduate School (2002-06)
20 PhD-students in universities of Lapland, Helsinki and Oulu
50 international supervisors PhD-student guidance
University of Arctic (International Secretariat)
Cooperative network of universities, colleges and other organisations (72)
Education programs: Bachelor of Circumpolar Studies
North2north mobility program
Information Services
Library, with 16,000 volumes about the Arctic
Electronic information products/services
Hosts websites for other projects and organizations:
Barents Customs Info-base
Arctic Council working group EPPR
BEAC working group BEATA, transport
Information Services
Electronic Information Resources:
Arctic Research Databases
ARIA – Arctic Environmental Impact Assessment
Arctic Council
Arctic Research Databases
BarentsInfo (www.barentsinfo.org)
information, photos, maps and articles, links
Barents projects database
Barents Library Network
Map Collection
Northwest Russian News
Northern Dimension in Finland
PolarWeb
Research Society of Lapland
Science Centre Exhibition
Exhibition: people and nature in the Arctic
1300 square meters
About 85 000 visitors/year
60 % foreigners
European countries: German, Spain, France, Holland
Others: US, Japan, Russia
Renewing process ongoing Goal
Effective popularisation of Arctic science to wide audience and decision makers
Online information by using modern technology
Interactive, visually effective, experimental
Other Activities
Organization of major conferences and scientific meetings
Expert consultancy for local and international decision-makers
Production of Arctic content for publications, film and other media
A partner in education, as part of the University of Lapland
Developing polar expeditions in both the Arctic and Antarctic
Formal International Participation
International Arctic Science Committee IASC
Arctic Council
UNEP Grid-Arendal
The Arctic Research Consortium of the United States (ARCUS)
World Reindeer Herders’ Association
Nordic Research Network on Sami and Environmental Law
European Collaborative for Science, Industry and Technology Exhibitions (ECSITE)
Nordic Science Centre Association
Co-operative agreements with numerous institutes
Barents Euro-Arctic Regional Council Polar Libraries Colloquy
Arctic Specialist Group of the Commission on Environmental Law of the World Conservation Union (IUCN)
Recent Publications
Arctic Centre Reports
Arktisen Aika: Ilmastonmuutos ja ajan politiikka arktisella alueella. Monica Tennberg (2004)
Poron kunto ja rasvat: Selvitys tutkimushankkeen tulosten soveltamismahdollisuuksista. Päivi Soppela (2004)
Juridica Lapponica
Arctic Governance. Ed.by Timo Koivurova, Tanja Joona and Reija Shnoro (2004)
Samiska rättsuppfattningar. Elina Helander
The Right to a Decent Environment with Special Reference to Indigenous Peoples. Tuula Kolari (2004)
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