Arctic Ocean Governance Students Participate in the Arctic Circle Assembly
Students at the University Centre of the Westfjords attended the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavík from October 8–10 as part of the course Arctic Ocean Governance, taught by Dr. Romain Chuffart.
The Arctic Circle Assembly is one of the world's largest international gatherings dedicated to Arctic affairs. This year's event took place at Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre and the Reykjavík EDITION, bringing together over 2,300 participants from more than 70 countries. Over three days, political leaders, researchers, Indigenous representatives and other stakeholders gathered to discuss pressing challenges and opportunities facing the Arctic region.
Participation in the Assembly is an integral part of the Arctic Ocean Governance course, which runs from October 5–16. The course examines the changing governance of the Arctic Ocean and its surrounding seas, focusing on challenges such as climate change, resource exploitation, biodiversity protection and Indigenous rights. Students explore existing governance frameworks, international cooperation and potential approaches to managing the region's increasingly complex challenges.
Attending the Assembly gave students a valuable opportunity to connect classroom discussions with current international debates on Arctic policy and governance. They were able to learn directly from experts and decision-makers, engage with different perspectives and develop professional networking skills within the international Arctic community.
The course is taught by Dr. Romain Chuffart, Chair and Managing Director of The Arctic Institute – Center for Circumpolar Security Studies. He has also served as an adjunct lecturer in Arctic law at the University of Akureyri and holds a PhD in Law from Durham University.
By combining academic studies with participation in an international forum, the course offers students a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of Arctic governance and the challenges shaping the future of the region.
Dr. Catherine Chambers, director of UW, along with the Academic Directors Dr. Brack Hale and R. Morgan Greene in the UW booth at Arctic Circle