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Research Guides

Arctic & Northern Studies Research Guide

Arctic & Northern Studies Research Guide

Use this research guide to find starting points for your research and all kinds of background information for Arctic studies, including statistics, maps, policy and more.

The Arctic – A New Player in International Relations

Vincent Gallucci & Nadine Fabbi TTh 2:30-4:20 THO 231

The Arctic is one of the most dynamic and interesting regions of the world. It is the world’s air conditioner, yet it is warming at twice the rate of the rest of the planet. The Inuit have become global leaders including making the important link between climate change and human rights. Meanwhile, the Arctic has become a game changer in global geopolitics. The impacts of climate change are opening the Arctic Ocean to international shipping while sea ice melt is increasing access to oil, gas and other valuable natural resources. Governments from Arctic and non-Arctic nation-states and sub-national regions, transnational corporations, indigenous peoples, and social justice organization are increasingly invested in the region’s future.

The Arctic Council, the decision-making body for the region, has correspondingly grown from a little-known institution to a major international body with nation-states from around the world pursuing official Observer status. The Council is now making international legally binding agreements and is shaping international policy in significant ways. Importantly, the Arctic Council is the first international body founded in collaboration with indigenous peoples and where indigenous organizations serve on almost equal par with nation-states.

Student reports will consider what role the Arctic Council should play concerning key issues facing the Arctic region today. Students might look at some of the following issues:

•      There is now an Arctic Economic Council (AEC). The AEC is an independent forum of business representatives that will facilitate Arctic business activities and provide the Arctic Council with a circumpolar business perspective. How will the AEC influence the Arctic Council and what about the incorporation of Arctic indigenous economic models?

•     The Arctic Council now recommends the integration of traditional and local knowledge into all workings of the Council. This is unique in international organizations. How is traditional knowledge shaping the decision-shaping of the Arctic Council and therefore international relations?

•      In 2013 the Arctic Council admitted four new Asian countries as Observers – South Korea, China, India and Singapore). What is the Arctic Council’s ability to cope with the new Asian members?

•      Currently new applications for Observers have been postponed to 2017 pending a review of observer issues. What are the issues with non-Arctic entities serving as Observers and how should these issues be dealt with?

•      Climate change is a key pillar of the U.S. Chairmanship. How can the Council play a leadership role in climate change mitigation – what agreements ought to be considered?

•      What are the current challenges to the Arctic Council in light of the tensions with Russia and how might a different approach to international relations by  the Council influence geopolitics?

Two students will be selected to present their findings to the Senior Arctic Officials meeting in Fairbanks, Alaska in March.

Need Help? Ask a Librarian!

Dan Mandeville
Nordic Studies Librarian
dcman@uw.edu

Louise Richards
Fisheries-Oceanography Librarian
machung@uw.edu

Sion Romaine
Canadian Studies Librarian
sromaine@uw.edu