Thematic Network on Arctic Sustainable Resources and Social Responsibility

The network offers opportunities for experts and practitioners of all disciplines to share knowledge and interact for sustainability. This may relate to natural resource extraction as well as resource management in a broad sense (including non-exploitation), capacity building, migration, eco-tourism, indigenous knowledge as a resource of significance of its own for sustainable Arctic futures, and a range of other issues. 

Goals

Taking point of departure in sustainability in an Arctic resources context, TN ASRSR aims at contributing to an enhanced understanding of what social responsibility as a practice that may be exercised by different organisations means. We work to enhance interdisciplinary communication and knowledge-sharing of insights from social and natural sciences and the humanities for the above purpose. The TN is envisaged to operate dynamically as a building ground for knowledge sharing, course design, and bringing research-based knowledge to relevant actors in the circumpolar Arctic, depending on financial, human and other resources available to the TN. Educating the next generation of experts and decision-makers in Arctic resources is a significant element of the goal.

Activities

  • Run series of workshops that will help to develop new research projects or exchange existing research projects carried out by network members.
  • Explore opportunities for collaboration with the Thematic Network on WestArctic Governance and Sustainability education.
  • Invite stakeholders into the group in order to understand better their views and concerns on sustainability and social responsibility and to share knowledge.
  • Give public lectures/ Knowledge translation/Public dissemination: presentations (and perhaps materials) for different groups, such as companies, schools etc.
  • Arctic Academy for Sustainability: Creating Environmentally and Socially Responsible Sustainable Energy and Resource Development in the Arctic - four Academies tentatively planned for Finland (Helsinki/Lapland 2022), Canada (Northern British Columbia 2023), Russia (Tyumen 2024), Denmark (Copenhagen 2025).

    • The Arctic Academy for Sustainability 2023, organised by the UArctic Thematic Network on Arctic Sustainable Resources and Social Responsibility, is being hosted by the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) in May 2023. It involves a week long intensive field school with faculty and graduate students from across the Arctic region. The 2023 Academy will focus on Just Energy Transitions, Indigenous Rights and Stakeholder Engagement in the Canadian context. We are honoured to have the participation of a number of Indigenous leaders. The deadline for graduate student applications is January 15, 2023. For more details of the Academy and on how to apply please visit: https://uarcticacademy.wordpress.com.
  • Thematic Network meeting in the Faroe Islands 20-24 October 2021.
  • June 2021: ICASS X, Arkhangelsk/hybrid: The TN organised a session on Arctic and sub-Arctic natural resources and responsibilities for sustainable use: learning from the past and present to establish responsible practices for the future.
  • May 2021: UArctic Congress, Iceland (May 15-18, 2021) The TN hosted a session (exact date to be announced): A just transition for all or just a transition? Defining stakeholders’ rights and responsibilities for Arctic resources required for climate change mitigation.
  • October 2020: Thematic Network meeting with academic workshop: Presentations and discussions on challenges that the Covid-19 crisis and the climate crisis pose to the Arctic from perspectives related to our TN.
  • September 2018: Third TN meeting, hosted by the University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia.
  • December 2018: Interdisciplinary workshop on ‘Public participation (PP) in impact assessments (IA) of extractive exploration and exploitation and infrastructure construction projects: comparing Arctic and Global South experiences and identifying synergies for future research’, hosted by Copenhagen Business School, Copenhagen (co-funded under TN ASRSR)
  • December 2018: PhD course: ‘Natural resources and human rights: impacts, conflicts, benefits, stakeholders and governance’, held at Copenhagen Business School, CBS.

Organisation, partners, governance, quality control :

Host Institution: Copenhagen Business School - Department of Management, Society and Communication

Partners: The thematic network is organised around a core group representing the three Arctic regions, with other partners joining as members.

Steering Committee (SC): The SC is comprised of representatives from the members constituting the core group. The SC meets once a year at the occasion of a meeting of the TN. It will meet virtually several times a year.

Engagement Group: Intended to support the outreach of the TN and feed external insights into the TN, this Group is comprised of representatives from companies (e.g. oil, mining, tourism, transport), communities, educational institutions (high schools, vocational schools/colleges), civil society, local authorities; and representatives from other TNs.

Extended information about the network can be found here More on TN ASRSR website rev April 2018.pdf

Other Information

Karin Buhmann, Lead of the UArctic Thematic Network on Arctic Sustainable Resources and Social Responsibility