UArctic Youth Lounge Showcases Arctic Youth Leadership, Culture, and Collaboration

The University of the Arctic (UArctic) Thematic Youth Network will host a Network Lounge from May 26–28, offering a vibrant, interactive space for Arctic youth, researchers, and community leaders to connect, learn, and shape the future of the North.

The three-day program (see below) features a series of fireside conversations, workshops, and hands-on cultural sessions that highlight youth perspectives on key issues, including identity, well-being, climate change, and Arctic futures.

Opening the program, UArctic Chairs Dr. Kirk Anderson and Dr. Bing Chen from Memorial University will share insights on leadership, research, and innovation in the Arctic. A featured session with Carolyn Bennett, Canadian Ambassador to Denmark, will explore the role of identity and community in supporting youth resilience and wellbeing in Northern regions.

Participants will also engage in interactive experiences, including a traditional Sámi duodji (handicraft) session, and collaborative discussions on climate change and youth mental health through art and advocacy.

A central focus of the lounge is youth engagement and co-creation. Attendees will contribute directly to shaping the Arctic Youth Conference 2027, ensuring future programming reflects the priorities, values, and perspectives of Arctic youth.

The program also connects to the broader UArctic Congress through the Youth Thematic Network Panel: Arctic Futures through Youth Perspectives, which amplifies youth voices and explores emerging opportunities, including the role of new technologies.

The UArctic Youth Thematic Network Lounge reflects a shared commitment to collaboration, cultural knowledge, and strengthening connections across the circumpolar North.

*** PROGRAMME ***

Day 1 – Tuesday, May 26

The program begins at 11:00 a.m. with Shaping the Arctic: Stories, Engineering & Educational Leadership. In this engaging fireside chat, UArctic Chairs Dr. Kirk Anderson and Dr. Bing Chen reflect on leadership, research, and the evolving future of the Arctic. Drawing on interdisciplinary experience, they share insights on Indigenous education, environmental challenges, and emerging opportunities, offering practical advice and inspiration for students and early-career participants.

At 1:00 p.m., the session Rooted to Rise: Youth, Identity, and Wellbeing in Arctic and Northern Communities features the Canadian Ambassador to Denmark, Carolyn Bennett. This reflective conversation explores how strong personal and cultural identity supports youth wellbeing, resilience, and opportunity in Northern and Arctic contexts. Through shared perspectives, the session highlights the importance of relationships, community support, and intergenerational connections, guided in part by the “Health Tree” model.

At 3:00 p.m., participants are invited to Duodji (Traditional Sámi Handicraft) & Chat. This interactive session introduces the Permanent Participant Youth Network and Arctic Council organizations through hands-on cultural learning. Participants will engage in beginner-friendly bracelet braiding, exploring the traditional Sámi practice of šnjirrehit while connecting culture, creativity, and community.

The lounge closes for the day at 4:30 p.m.

Day 2 – Wednesday, May 27

The day begins at 10:15 a.m. with Ideas to Action: Designing the Arctic Youth Conference 2027. This interactive sharing circle, led by the Chairship Youth Committee, invites participants to contribute ideas, perspectives, and priorities for the future conference. Through guided discussion, attendees will explore meaningful youth engagement and inclusive, culturally respectful program design.

At 2:00 p.m., the session Art Making, Advocacy & Climate Collective focuses on the mental health impacts of climate change on youth. Participants will engage in open discussion while contributing to a collaborative art collage displayed throughout the congress, fostering both reflection and collective action.

The lounge programming concludes at 3:00 p.m.

Evening Program

Later in the day, participants are invited to attend the Youth Thematic Network Panel, Session 11.07: Arctic Futures through Youth Perspectives, from 5:25 to 6:20 p.m. This panel amplifies diverse youth voices from across the circumpolar Arctic and explores how young people define Arctic futures in their communities. The discussion will address opportunities and responsibilities related to emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, and identify pathways for future collaboration across regions and disciplines.

Day 3 – Thursday, May 28

At 10:00 a.m., Crafts & Culture as Living Knowledge—Land, Language, Identity, and Youth Leadership brings together Heather Angnatok and Dr. Sylvia Moore for a meaningful fireside conversation. The session explores how cultural practices such as sewing, land-based learning, and community gatherings act as powerful forms of knowledge, identity, and leadership in the North. Participants will engage in discussion and a short reflective activity.

At 11:00 a.m., Mobility – north2north Program with Isabelle Guissard introduces opportunities to study across the Arctic through the University of the Arctic’s mobility initiative. Participants will learn about exchange options, application processes, and funding opportunities, with time for questions and practical guidance.

The lounge program concludes at 1:00 p.m.