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NORA er et nordisk samarbeidsorgan under Nordisk Ministerråd med skandinavisk som arbeidsspråk. Våre nettsider vil derfor hovedsaklig bli oppdatert på skandinavisk.

Aktiviteter

STORNOWAY 2025

UHI North, West and Hebrides, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Organized by the Islands Book Trust in association with Nordic Atlantic Cooperation (NORA), this international event brings together experts, community leaders, and stakeholders to discuss the pressing economic challenges and explore sustainable opportunities for North Atlantic island communities. Participants will exchange insights, ideas, and action plans to foster sustainable futures for small island communities.

International Conference

North Atlantic & Arctic Neighbours: Building Sustainable Futures for Island Communities

This is the first conference of its kind in Stornoway. It includes Scotland and Scottish Isles, and the NORA countries: Greenland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, and coastal Norway.

Part 1: UHI North, West and Hebrides, Stornoway Campus

  • Tuesday and Wednesday, 1-2 July.
  • The two-day programme focusses on key themes like resilience, governance, innovation, and community engagement. Sessions emphasize practical approaches, informed by case studies, expert presentations, and interactive discussions, to ensure tangible outcomes. By bringing together diverse expertise and perspectives, it aims to inspire the development of practical strategies for resilient and thriving island communities.

Part 2: HEBRIDEAN CULTURAL HERITAGE EXCURSION

  • Thursday 3rd July
  • This day-long excursion offers insight into the cultural and historical heritage of the Hebrides. Highlights include a visit to Galson Estate Trust to explore community land ownership, Ness Historical Society to learn about crofting and language preservation, and the iconic Callanish Stones. The day ends with a Gaelic musical ceilidh, celebrating the region’s rich traditions before returning to Stornoway.

 

Sign up for Part I, Part II, or both.

  • Link for registration and payment is under construction and will be available soon.

PROGRAM

TUESDAY, 1st July

09.30-11.45

  • Registration
  • Welcome address
  • Tour of Lews Castle

12.00-13.00 Lunch

13.00-14.50 SESSION 1

  • Regional Presentations: Resilience – Demographic and Economic Trends
  • Short presentations from countries/regions, highlighting the most important issues to inspire a relevant and engaged panel discussion.
  • Panel discussion

15.15-17.15 SESSION 2

  • Forging the Future: Strengthening Traditional Knowledge and Embracing Modern Innovation
  • Bridging the gap between tradition and innovation to strengthen North Atlantic island communities. Insights include revitalizing heritage, embracing modern pathways, and turning isolation into opportunity. Building future progress through shared experiences and innovative strategies.
  • Three short presentations
  • Panel discussion and audience engagement

19.00 Dinner

WEDNESDAY, 2nd July

09.00-10.00 SESSION 3

  • Empowering the Next Generation: Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Opportunities
  • Fostering talent, reimagining traditional industries and connectivity – how are challenges turned into opportunities, growth and revitalization.
  • Three short presentations
  • Couch chat

10.30-12.00 SESSION 4

  • Building Bridges: Youth, Identity, and Intergenerational Cooperation in the Youth Engagement, and Democracy
  • Exploring the interplay of cultural heritage, identity, and modern aspirations – strategies for empowering youth and fostering community cohesion, ensuring that traditions and innovation coexist in harmony.
  • Three short presentations
  • Panel discussion and audience engagement

12.00-13.00 Lunch

13.00-14.45 SESSION 5

  • Securing Resilience and Prosperity for Island Communities
  • Focus on ownership, infrastructure, energy, smart technology, self-reliant communities, security, and regional cooperation.
  • Four short presentations
  • Panel discussion and audience engagement

15.15-17.15 SESSION 6

Working session - Charting the Course

  • Governance for Resilience: Models and Strategies for Island Communities
  • Empowering Communities: How Local Governance Drives Economic and Social Sustainability

Workshop

  • Policy recommendations for sustainable industries.
  • Strengthening community ownership models.
  • Enhancing youth participation in governance.
  • Conclusions and recommendations.
  • Presentations and plenary Discussion.

Closing Remarks

19.00 DINNER
 

THURSDAY, 3rd July

HEBRIDEAN CULTURAL HERITAGE EXCURSION

09.30 Coach leaves Stornoway

10.30-11.30

  • Visit to Galson Estate Trust offices in Ness to hear about and discuss Community Land Ownership

11.45-14.30

  • Visit to Ness Historical Society to hear about Crofting, see round the Museum, have Lunch, and discuss the challenges facing Gaelic and other minority languages

15.00-15.15 

  • See the Callanish Stones

16.00-17.30

  • Gaelic Musical Ceilidh on return to Stornoway

 

Contact

  • John Randall (Islands Book Trust) - john673randall@btinternet.com
  • Ernst S. Olsen (NORA) - ernst@nora.fo
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