A course in Arctic Ocean Governance begins today
The course Arctic Ovean Governance begins today at The University Centre of the Westfjords.
The Arctic is subject to rapid and substantial impacts from climate change that is facilitating expanded human use and exploitation of its resources. Governance of such a region presents many challenges and opportunities for collaboration among the Arctic states responsible for effective stewardship of their sovereign waters, other nations with interests in expanding access to Arctic resources, and the international community more generally. The present and potential future governance of Arctic nations, international collaborations that have been established to foster coordination among these nations are discussed and analyzed during the course. Potential future frameworks for Arctic governance are also evaluated and the special role of Indigenous people is highlighted.
Participation in the Arctic Circle Conference in Reykjavík, an important international forum focused on Arctic policy and governance, is an integral element of this course and provides students with a unique opportunity to experience high-level discussions of many challenges faced in the region, and potential emerging solutions. Participation in the Conference also offers students the opportunity to meet and learn more about these issues and challenges from the key leaders of Arctic nations as well as other important players in the Arctic governance and policy community at this forum.
On completion of the course, a student shall be able to recall the evolution of governance in the Arctic to the present, as well as the contemporary governance framework in the Arctic. As well as demonstrated ability in critically evaluating contemporary governance mechanisms, being able to identify and critically evaluate challenges to achieving effective collaboration in the region and will have developed important networking skills and learned to navigate an international conference successfully and professionally. A student shall also be able to critically evaluate conference sessions orally in front of peers, relating conference topics to Arctic Ocean Governance.
The course instructor is Dr. Romain Francois R Chuffart, which holds the position as the chair and managing director of the Arctic Institute - Center for Circumpolar Security Studies (TAI), a public think tank for policy-making in the Arctic. In addition, he has also held the position as an adjunct in Arctic law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Akureyri. Romain completed his MA degree in Polar Law in Iceland and his PhD in Law at Durham University.
All master's courses taught at the University Centre of the Westfjords are open to participants from both universities and the business community. If you are interested in attending a single course at the University Centre, you can familiarize yourself with our course catalog and submit an application for a single course.