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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

WEDNESDAY 2nd July

09.00    SESSION 3

Empowering the Next Generation: Innovation and Opportunities

How can youth drive innovation and opportunity in island communities. With a focus on fostering talent, reimagining traditional industries, and leveraging digital connectivity, this session highlights the pivotal role of young people in shaping resilient, sustainable futures. Through dialogue and shared insights, participants will uncover pathways to turn challenges like brain drain into opportunities for growth and revitalization.

  • 09.10  Elsa Cox, Orkney Development Manager, UArctic Representative - tbc
  • 09.20  Small places, big dreams: Crafting opportunities where you least expect them, Karin Marie Funding Lyster, Entrepreneur, Faroe Islands
  • 09.30  Growing sprouts & turning decay to promise - strongholds of living on the edge, Anna Karlsdóttir, Associate Professor & Fulbright Arctic Initiative Scholar, University of Iceland

09.40    Couch chat – Bjørt Samuelsen, Speaker of the Parliament, Faroe Islands

10.00    COFFEE

10.30    SESSION 4

Building Bridges: Youth, Identity, and Intergenerational Cooperation in the Youth engagement and democracy

Importance of youth engagement and intergenerational cooperation in shaping sustainable futures for island communities. By exploring the interplay of cultural heritage, identity, and modern aspirations, the session aims to inspire collaboration across generations. Participants will discuss practical strategies for empowering youth and fostering community cohesion, ensuring that traditions and innovation coexist in harmony.

  • 10.35  Valuing the past – sustaining the future. Island youth, identity and intergenerational relations, Firouz Gaini, Professor in anthropology, head of research at the Faculty of History and Social Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands
  • 10.45  Daniel Jarnæs Båtstrand, Owner of clothing brand and leader of a local political party, Norway
  • 10.55  Agnes Rennie, Scotland - tbc

11.10    Panel Discussion: Best Practices in Sustainable and Responsible Resource Management.

  • Iain Maciver, Outer Hebrides – tbc
  • Hanna Jensen, Member of Parliament, Faroe Islands
  • Norway - tbc
  • Romi Schmitz, Young entrepreneur, Iceland
  • Aviaja Lennert Olsen, Chair of Greenland's Student Association in Denmark, Greenland

Moderator - tbc

12.00    LUNCH

13.00    SESSION 5

Securing Resilience and Prosperity for Island Communities

North Atlantic island communities face unique challenges but also opportunities to build resilience and prosperity. This session explores how local enterprise, innovation, and regional collaboration can drive self-reliance and economic growth. Beyond energy and infrastructure, we will discuss broader strategies for sustainability, food security, and interconnected systems that strengthen communities. A key focus is how resilience and prosperity can grow from local initiatives into regional cooperation, fostering sustainable livelihoods and stronger networks.

  • 13.10  Who benefits from the resources of a place: how can energy projects deliver economic resilience and social value for island populations? This presentation examines the history and current status of energy developments in Shetland and related island communities, to consider how ownership, benefit schemes and socio-economic impacts can retain value in host communities, Mr. Tom Wills, Co-Founder, Equitable Energy Research and Director, Shetland
  • 13.20  Laura Johanne Olsen, Programme Leader for Green Islands Initiative, Lofoten Municipality, Norway
  • 13.30  Sustainable Growth in Island Communities: Navigating the Energy Transition: How can fossil fuel reliant communities cut emissions while staying competitive and growing? This presentation explores strategies for sustainable development and collaboration between stakeholders, policymakers, and government agencies, Þorsteinn Másson, Managing Director, Blámi Energy Initiative, Iceland
  • 13.40  Miki Jensen, Director, Innovation South Greenland, Greenland

13.50  Panel Discussion

Connecting expertise and experiences, fostering collaboration that translates insights into tangible outcomes for a thriving, sustainable future. Engaging diverse perspectives, the conversation will focus on practical strategies that integrate the central issues.

Gestur Hovgaard, Professor in Arctic Social Science, Greenland/Faroe Islands

Natuk Lund Meire, Permanent Secretary for the Department of Agriculture, Self-Sufficiency, Energy, and Environment, Greenland

Þorsteinn Másson, Managing Director, Blámi Energy Initiative, Iceland

Laura Johanne Olsen, Programme Leader for Green Islands Initiative, Lofoten Municipality, Norway

Inga Burton, Orkney - tbc

Moderator  Lesley Riddoch/Calum Iain Maciver - tbc

14.30    COFFEE

15.00    SESSION 6

Charting the Course: Governance and Economic Sustainability in North Atlantic Communities

  • 15.00  Gestur Hovgaard, Professor in Arctic Social Science, Greenland/Faroe Islands
  • 15.15  Scotland - tbc

15.30    Conclusions

  1. Group presentations 1
  2. Group presentations 2
  3. Group presentations 3
  • Policy recommendations for sustainable industries, including regional.
  • Strengthening community ownership models.
  • Enhancing youth participation in governance.
  • Each group presents concise conclusions and recommendations.
  • Governance priorities.
  • Economic strategies.
  • Opportunities for regional collaboration.
  • Route map.

16.15    Outcome and Closing

  • Plenary Discussion

16.45    Closing Remarks

  • Halla Nolsøe Poulsen, Director of NORA

 

19.00  DINNER