Arctic Council Youth

Matters

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l BEGINNINGS [Why it was created.]

Promote: Cooperation, Coordination and Interaction

Between: 8 Arctic States – involving both Indigenous peoples and Northern inhabitants

Regarding: Common Arctic issues;Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection

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l ARCTIC COUNCIL STRUCTURE

[Overview.]

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Canada

USA

Russia

Finland

Norway

SwedenIceland

Denmark; Greenland, Faroe Islands

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l PERMANENT PARTICIPANTS[Indigenous Organizations.]

Canada: – Arctic Athabaskan Council (Canada, USA)

– Gwich’in Council International (Canada, USA)

– Inuit Circumpolar Council (Canada, USA, Greenland, Russia)

Others:– Saami Council (Finland, Norway, Sweden, Russia)

– RAIPON (Russian Arctic Indigenous Peoples Of the North)– Aleut International Association (USA)

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l OBSERVERS [Interest in the Arctic.]

CountriesInternational Organizations

Non-Governmental Organizations

France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, UK & 18 International Organizations and NGOs

WHY International Spotlight. Interest.

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l ISSUES = WORKING GROUPS

Contaminants (ACAP)Arctic Contaminants Action Program

Monitoring and Assessment (AMAP)Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme

Conservation (CAFF)Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna

Emergencies (EPPR)Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response

Marine Life (PAME)Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment

Sustainable Development (SDWG)Sustainable Development Working Group

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l CONTAMINANTS [ACAP.]

Figure A: Bioaccumulation

Contaminants: • Mercury, PCBs, Pesticides, Hazardous Waste, Flame Retardants,

Dioxins/Furans.• Most are released through man-made processes.

What ACAP does:• Monitors and assess contaminants in the Arctic• Institutes clean-up programs, community initiatives and

demonstrations• Produces important reports on the current situation of

contaminants in the Arctic

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l MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT

[AMAP.]What’s happening effects on the

environment and people– Uses both traditional and scientific knowledge.

• PRIORITIES: Ozone depletion & Effects• Pollution Effects: Ecosystems and Health

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Heavy metalsRadioactivityAcidificationArctic hazePetroleum hydrocarbon

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l CONSERVATION AND BIODIVERSITY [CAFF.]

• Biodiversity is the number and types of species in the Arctic– Important for people in the Arctic and the

Earth as a whole

• CAFF is responsible for various projects that monitor and assess the situation of biodiversity in the Arctic.

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l EMERGENCIES [EPPR.]

• Preparing for possible disasters • Preventing possible disasters

– Assess potential risks,

– Develop scenarios and action plans to deal with possible emergency situations

– Conduct research and provide input to ensure safe development procedures

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l MARINE PROTECTION [PAME.]

• Address policy and non-emergency pollution prevention and control measures.

• focus on integration to meet new large-scale challenges to the Arctic Marine Environment

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l SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

[SDWG.]To protect and enhance Arctic residents’

• Economies • Culture• Health

Thematic Areas:– Arctic Socio-Economic Issues– Arctic Culture and Language– Arctic Human Health– Adaptation to Climate Chang– Management of Natural Resource– Energy and Arctic Communities

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l YOUTH ADVISORS[Canadian Advisory Committee to the Arctic Council]

Network and outreach with Northern young regarding issues that affect the

Arctic • Participating in Leadership conferences

• Traveling to different communities• Communication and outreach

Learn about how the Arctic Council works

• Attend SAO meetings in various Arctic countries• 1 week orientation in Ottawa• Participate in conference calls and Advisory committee

meetings providing a unique perspective

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lWHY YOUTH CARE

• Arctic ecosystems + peoples face a variety of pressures and risks.

• Monitoring and assessing what potential risks may affect the Arctic is essential

• Need to be ready for emergencies and able to manage these risks

• Information & planning will ensure the success of future generations.

• Working with local communities is essential

• Youth can help!

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lINVOLVING YOUTH

• Become a Canadian Youth Advisor for the Arctic Council

• Contact current youth advisors to get information on how you can participate

• Contact the permanent participant in your area and let them know you’re interested in participating

• Visit www.Ookpik.org for more information

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lCONTACTS

Arctic Athabaskan CouncilCindy Dicksonwww.arcticathabaskancouncil.orgcindy.dickson@cyfn.net867 393 9214

Gwich’in Council InternationalBridget Larocquewww.gwichin.orgblarocque_gci@northwestel.net867 777 3782

Inuit Circumpolar CouncilPitseolalaq Moss-Davieswww.inuitcircumpolar.compmoss-davies@inuitcircumpolar.com613 563 2642

Youth Delegates:Amy Thompson - NWT

Robin Urquhart - Yukonrobin.urquhart@gmail.com

Sandi Vincent - Nunavutsandi.faye@gmail.com

Websites:www.ookpik.orgwww.uarctic.orgwww.international.gc.ca