The inaugural Arctic Youth Conference (AYC), under the Norwegian Chairship of the Arctic Council (2023-2025), is a platform for Arctic youth to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapidly changing Arctic region. Born out of the Chairship's commitment to youth empowerment, the AYC is designed to break away from tokenism, ensuring the involvement of Arctic youth in shaping and executing the conference.
When: 24-26 January 2025
Where: Tromsø, Norway
What: The first Arctic Council Chairship conference for youth by youth
Why: Empower youth as part of the official program of the Norwegian Chairship of the Arctic Council (2023-2025).
Objectives: The Arctic Youth Conference aims to empower Arctic youth, enhance their participation, increase Arctic literacy, celebrate diversity, and serve as a platform to realize Chairship priorities. It also seeks to shape actionable recommendations that contribute to the broader Arctic Council agenda.
Target Audience: The Arctic Youth Conference welcomes a diverse audience, placing particular emphasis on engaging Arctic youth, young professionals, students, and Indigenous knowledge holders. The Arctic Youth Conference primarily welcomes participants aged 18-30, with 18 as the minimum age and 30 as a flexible guideline. We aim to foster inter-generational dialogue, encouraging engagement between young leaders and senior officials and experts.
Combining Circumpolar and Local Realities: Envisioned with a focus on circumpolar and local levels of the Arctic region, drawing on regional relevance and local expertise. This ensures a comprehensive exploration of issues resonating among Arctic youth.
A unique opportunity to take part in the first Arctic Youth Conference bringing together youth from the Arctic and beyond to shape the future, influence policy, and build lasting connections for a sustainable Arctic.
Click on the picture below
Click on the pictures below to Apply
The Arctic Youth Conference is guided by a Chairship Youth Committee comprising youth representatives from Permanent Participants, leading Arctic youth groups, and regional youth councils. This committee strategically oversees the planning and execution of the conference, choosing conference topics and themes and ensuring it remains a youth-driven initiative at its core.
Click here to read their full bios.
Position: PhD Candidate, Université Laval Representing: Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) Bio: Canada Geneviève Degré-Timmons is a mature PhD candidate at Université Laval and the Chair of the Association of Polar Early-Career Scientist Canada (APECS Canada). After more than 6 years following the completion of her B.Sc. in biology at University du Québec à Rimouski, she returned to graduate school to continue learning from different knowledge systems and expand her knowledge in wildlife conservation, particularly for species-at-risk of cultural importance. Initially, she started as a M.Sc. student in Forest Sciences (Université Laval) and eventually decided to roll up into a PhD.
Position: Student, Board of Directors Arctic Youth Network Representing: Arctic Youth Network Bio: Alaska (US) Maiyuraq Lauryn Nanouk Jones is Inupiaq from the people of Unalakleet, Alaska. She is currently on the Board of Directors for Arctic Youth Network and apart of the 2023-2024 Cohort of Arctic Youth Ambassador Program. Maiyu is a current student at Western Washington University getting her Bachelors Degree in Environmental Science with an emphasis on Freshwater and Terrestial Ecology and two certificates in Ecological Restoration and Salmon Habitat Restoration.
Position: Head of Section in the Research Administration, Naalakkersuisut (Government of Greenland) Representing: Kingdom of Denmark (Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat)) Bio: Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat) I am a born and raised Nuummioq (from Nuuk). Throughout my life, I have resided in both Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) and Denmark, with a significant portion of my lifetime spent in Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland).
Currently, I work as Head of Section in the Research Administration at Naalakkersuisut – Government of Greenland. In this position, our team works with executing ad hoc tasks and implementing the Greenland National Research Strategy 2022-2030. Naalakkersuisut’ s vision is that research must benefit Kalaallit Nunaat and have an international outlook.
I value the importance of diversity and inclusivity, recognizing that each individual brings unique perspectives, experiences, and goals to the table. I believe that fostering a culture of understanding and empathy is essential for effective collaboration and communication, and I strive to create an environment that is welcoming and respectful of all individuals.
Position: Teacher, member of Youth Regional Network Representing: Nordland County Youth Council Bio: Norway Kassandra was elected County Councillor in Nordland in 2019, and has been representing the Progress Party since 2014. Kassandra has been actively involved in School elections over the years as young politicians, strongly believing in that as a representant from a youth party she will be able to encourage youth to be more involved in politics. The School Election Project is a project started in 1989 that co-ordinates mock high school elections in Norway in connection with national and local elections in Norway.
Position: Project Advisor in Saami Council’s Arctic and Environmental Unit Representing: Saami Council and the Permanent Participant Youth Network Bio: Norway Julius Mihkkal Eriksen Lindi is a Project Advisor in the Arctic and Environmental Unit of the Saami Council. He is 26 years old and has deep roots in his hometown Kárášjohka - Karasjok, Norway. His work is currently centred on elevating Sámi peoples' involvement in the Indigenous Peoples' Contaminant Action Program as well as assessment and evaluation work for climate intervention technologies in UArctic’s Frozen Arctic Conservation project. He also has since 2020 been active in the nationwide Sámi Youth organization in Norway, Noereh, currently being the chair of the board.
Position: Project Manager, Nordic Association, Sweden Representing: Sweden
Beatrice Bucht is 25 years old, born and raised in Norrbotten, Sweden and currently working as the leading project manager on youth and democracy at the Nordic Association of Norrbotten.
With a background in multilateral diplomacy, Beatrice has previously been active in organizing global youth advocacy at international climate negotiations, and was one of the leading co-creators of the world’s first dedicated pavilion for children and youth at COP.
In recognition of her work, she was named the most sustainable student in Sweden at the 2023 Green Act Awards, and in 2024 became the proud founder of Icebreakers - the first non-partisan Political Leadership Incubator in Swedish Sápmi.
Position: Student & leader of Troms County Youth Council Representing: Troms County Youth Council Bio: Norway Parahini is a unique advocate for youth participation and Arctic sustainability in Northern Norway, and with a longstanding commitment to these causes, she has established herself as the face of Northern Norway's youth. Since the tender age of 13, Parahini has been actively involved in initiatives aimed at addressing Arctic challenges. Her first youth advocacy campaign took place in 2018, when she collaborated with politicians in her municipality of Karlsøy to create a local youth council. Later, in 2020, her work was acknowledged by Norwegian youth when she was elected into Troms and Finnmark Youth County Council, eventually to be elected as leader. In her capacity as leader of the regional youth council, Parahini has led the way for countless youth councils in Norway.
Position: Student at University of Lapland Representing: University of the Arctic (UArctic) Bio: Finland Having been born in France and having lived in a multicultural environment in Belgium Bryssels for 17 years and moving to Rovaniemi to start my studies of political sciences, my interest towards the arctic and international relations has only been growing. I have been an active member of the university community by joining the student union's executive board to handle internationality and responsibility in my first year of studies. My knowledge towards international affairs is vast and I believe I can bring valuable input into the decision making in the Arctic.
Position: President of Sáminuorra Representing: World Reindeer Herders Bio: Sweden Sara-Elvira Kuhmunen is a passionate advocate for Sámi culture and youth, hailing from Johkamohkki (Jokkmokk), Sweden's part of Sápmi. Deeply rooted in her Indigenous reindeer herding heritage, she has dedicated her life to preserving and promoting the traditions of the Sámi reindeer herders.
The vice-chair of World Reindeer Herders and president of the youth organization Sáminuorra, Sara-Elvira Kuhmunen, has been actively championing cultural preservation, education, and environmental sustainability and representing the Sámi at national and international forums, including the United Nations and World Food Forum.
In 2023, Sara-Elvira was awarded the Anders Carlberg Memorial Prize, awarded to the young role model of the year. Sara-Elvira is among top 30 Future Women Leaders 2024 in Sweden. Kuhmunen envisions a future where Sámi culture thrives, blending tradition with modernity. Her commitment to her community continues to inspire young Sámi to embrace their heritage and advocate for their rights.
Contact Jens Toft Project Coordinator Arctic Council Secretariat
Email: Jens.toft@arctic-council.org