The Symposium will introduce the latest outcome of research programs that have been implemented jointly by Hokkaido University and Finnish universities, as well as international programs to train young researchers on environmental issues in northern regions, where rapid changes have taken place due to climate change and other global processes. The Symposium program is divided into six sessions:

- Landscape, land use changes and human-environmental relations

- Boreal forests

- Cold climate environments and long-term monitoring

- Environmental management, sustainable development and economics

- Health and wellbeing

- Research and education co-operation in northern environment studies (at Kuusamo)


See the detailed program at the symposium website.

The Symposium will also be a forum for discussion on the continuation of joint research programs and the feasibility of research plans. The aim is also to strengthen the collaborative infrastructures between Finland and Japan.

The first symposium on the series was held in 2005 in Hokkaido, Japan. This symposium series is connected to the Sustainability Weeks, which have been arranged in Hokkaido, Japan since 2005.

More information: Instructional coordinator Riitta Kamula and Planner Pirjo Taskinen.

The symposium in Oulu (September 10th – 12th ) is open and free of charge. In order to arrange coffee service, we ask you to register before September 6, 2012 to the e-mail address: anna-liisa.mannermaa@oulu.fi

To the symposium in Kuusamo (September 12th – 14th) separate registration is required. For more information contact Instructional coordinator Riitta Kamula.

Welcome to the Symposium!