Report on Participation in the UArctic Assembly 2025
I participated in the UArctic Assembly 2025 held in Inari, Finland. The Assembly brought together representatives from across the Arctic and was hosted by the Sámi Education Institute (SAKK) at the Sámi Cultural Centre Sajos. The setting in the heart of Sápmi provided an important context for discussions, with a strong emphasis on Sámi culture, education, and governance.
Carina Melgaard, international coordinator, College of Social Education, Kalaallit Nunaat
The setting in the heart of Sápmi provided an important context for discussions, with a strong emphasis on Sámi culture, education, and governance. The program included visits to SAKK, the Sámi Parliament, and the Sámi Museum and Nature Centre Siida, offering valuable insight into Indigenous-led institutions and educational practices in the Arctic.
During the Assembly meetings, key items included reports from the Board and President, approval of new members, elections to UArctic governance bodies, and decisions related to finances and future planning. The Assembly provided an important forum for dialogue, decision-making, and exchange among member institutions.
I participated in the Small Northern and Indigenous Members discussion/break out session. The discussion highlighted shared challenges faced by small and Northern institutions, including defining “Northern” and “community” beyond geography, addressing extractive research practices, and strengthening ethical standards to ensure respect, reciprocity, and community benefit. Particular emphasis was placed on supporting Indigenous pedagogy, languages, and community-based education, as well as challenges related to recruitment and retention in remote contexts.
From a PI/SPS perspective, these discussions are directly relevant to our ambition to strengthen Arctic networks and build capacity around knowledge-sharing and collaboration in Arctic pedagogy. PI/SPS sees UArctic as playing a key role in supporting cooperation among Northern and Indigenous institutions and in advancing educational approaches grounded in Arctic and Indigenous realities.