Time and place: Tuesday, 18 April 2023, 11.30 AM - 12.30 PM
Stormen Library, Litteratursalen
Storgata 1A, BODØ

Italy has an ultra-centennial history in the Arctic and it has been one of the most active members since joining the Arctic Council in 2013.

Norway is the Arctic country with which the greatest collaborations have been developed, in the scientific, technological and industrial fields. Being this year the main theme “Business in the Arctic – Space of Opportunities”, it is very important to confirm and to strengthen this cooperation by uniting two regions, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, that surround the same continent, through a joint and renewed partnership.

What happens in the Arctic impacts with tangible repercussions the Arctic region as well as the Mediterranean and beyond. The Arctic challenges have nowadays become global as “what happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic”.

Global challenges imply global approach, request common efforts and shared responsibilities for the whole international community while respecting the sovereign rights, the ecosystem and Indigenous people.

The side event has the main goal to be an open brainstorming debate to enlighten the main strengths of the partnership and the key points for an effective outreach strategy in order to contribute to the sustainable development of the Region.

PANELISTS:
Representative from the Italian Embassy in Norway (tbc) – Welcoming Address
Alessandra CARUSO – Arctic Affairs Officer, SIOI-UNA Italy – Welcoming Address
Bård Borch MICHALSEN - UiT Norges arktiske universitet – Moderator
Carmine ROBUSTELLI – Special Envoy for the Arctic, Italian MFA
Aldo PIGOLI – Professor, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Milan
Andreas RASPOTNIK - Senior Researcher, Fridtjof Nansen Institute and Senior Researcher, High North Center for Business and Governance, Nord University