Healing Through Connection: Mental Wellbeing in the Arctic
No photography or videography allowed.
This session will explore the complex and interconnected factors impacting the mental well-being of Arctic youth. As the Arctic experiences significant environmental, political, economic, and cultural changes, these factors can greatly impact the mental wellbeing and health of young people living in the Arctic. We will use a holistic approach, acknowledging that the health of nature, animals, and people are interconnected. Through storytelling and creative expression, we will uncover the shared experiences of Arctic youth, emphasizing how culture, nature, language, and identity are essential to mental wellness. Join us in a journey that connects personal narratives with broader social and environmental issues, offering a platform for youth voices to inspire resilience and hope.
Conference Closing
Side Events
In this workshop, participants will learn to craft persuasive “policy pitches” that connect Arctic policy recommendations to the interests of decision-makers. Emphasizing the unique political and cultural contexts of the Arctic, the session highlights the ethical engagement of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making. By the end, participants will have developed a toolkit of strategies for advancing Arctic policies, ensuring they are impactful and actionable. Gain the confidence and skills to influence strategic decisions shaping the future of the Arctic region.
Building an Arctic Leadership Program that meets the needs of new and emerging Arctic leaders requires listening to your education needs and aspirations. The Arctic Mayors’ Forum, UArctic, World Reindeer Herders Association, and the Harvard Kennedy School Belfer Center Arctic Initiative are working together to develop a leadership program that will support Arctic Youth to build sustainable, resilient, and successful futures in the Arctic. Building on our individual and collective efforts to train and empower Arctic youth, we are committed to developing an Arctic Leadership Program that provides you with the skills and resources you need to build thriving Arctic communities for generations to come. At this focus group, we will provide some examples of Arctic leadership training that we are doing, share our initial vision for this project, and then seek your ideas and guidance on what an Arctic Leadership Program should look like. We want youth to be truly at the center of the project from its inception, so it can best serve you
As traditional funding systems continue to neglect the changing needs of Indigenous communities and Northern regions, youth are finding hope in creating new initiatives to support their communities through the philanthropic sector. In contrast to what we’ve formally seen as “charity,” community-led philanthropy has broken barriers in funding caps, program restrictions, and difficult application processes by using intuitive, relationship-based approaches. These ensure that the emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing of northern and Indigenous communities are the guiding principles to any decision-making processes. Hear from our panel of youth funders and grant recipients on what it is to advocate for change in the sector, and how philanthropic funds may be the turning point for sustainable practices in the North.
Join us for “Inclusive Governance in Shaping Arctic Futures” – an engaging panel discussion exploring youth's critical role in Arctic governance. This session will address the challenges of youthwashing and emphasize the necessity of genuine youth involvement in decision-making processes. Featuring insights from young Arctic professionals from previous Emerging Leaders cohorts, the discussion will highlight strategies for meaningful inclusion and share successful youth-led initiatives. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in an interactive segment, share their experiences, and collaborate in small groups to develop actionable strategies for inclusive governance.
The Arctic Youth Policy Workshop, organised by EYP Norway, will be a half-day event designed to build on the insights and lessons from the previous two days of the Arctic Youth Conference. This workshop will focus on key issues relevant to Arctic youth, providing participants with the opportunity to share their opinions and experiences while collaboratively developing solutions to some of the challenges faced by young people in the Arctic.
Including youth in policy processes is a legal obligation or ambition in many Arctic states. While it's often said that youth perspectives inspire fresh thinking and challenge conventional approaches, what does this mean in practice? Join us for an interactive session that explores the unique contributions of youth leadership in policy-making across scales. Participants will be challenged to delve into the various ways that youths’ creativity, innovation, and passion drive meaningful change.
Ready to bring your dream project to life? The Norwegian Barents Secretariat and Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) are here to help you secure funding and develop winning project applications! As global challenges grow, cooperation across regions, generations, and sectors is essential. In this interactive session, you’ll learn how grants can empower youth to create impactful projects both locally and internationally. Through the success story of Árvu, a graphic design company in Norway preserving Sami identity, you’ll discover the key elements of a strong project application. Whether your passion is cultural or environmental preservation, community development, innovation, or international cooperation, this session will guide you through the project development with insider's tips and innovative methods. Gain the skills to collaborate across borders and dimensions and turn your ideas into reality! Don’t miss this chance to make a lasting impact with your project!
Join the Reindeer Herding and Resilience Project for an insightful workshop, Human Health: Effects of Land Degradation in the Indigenous Arctic, where we explore the profound impacts of climate change and land degradation on the health of Arctic Indigenous peoples. The workshop will set the stage for an in-depth exploration of the intersection between environmental changes and Indigenous knowledge and health practices. Presentations feature renowned gastroenterologist Giulia Enders (Germany), who will dive into the importance of gut health, and Dr. Aviaja Lyberth Hauptmann (Greenland), who will discuss the role of traditional Inuit foods in maintaining a healthy microbiota. Dr. Ravdna BME Sara and Dr. Kia Krarup-Hansen (Norway) will further illuminate the importance of traditional knowledge and food systems. The workshop concludes with a panel discussion, in cooperation with The Economist magazine, exploring innovative treatments linked to gut bacteria.
Arctic Trailblazers
What is peace? What is peace in the Arctic? How do we achieve it? What is my role? Come and participate in a conversation with other young people on these questions, and other questions that might arise from our consultation.
This workshop is a space for young people to get together, converse, advance learning, explore common questions, search for common answers and build bridges - to consult. Consultation involves free, respectful, dignified, and fair-minded effort on the participants to exchange views, seek truth, and attempt to reach consensus.
A desire to build peace is a noble and necessary aspiration amongst youth. This aspiration must be aligned with a conviction that universal peace is actually possible. How can this conviction lead to better approaches and constructive actions?
Empowering Indigenous youth in the Arctic is crucial for sustaining the region’s cultural heritage and fostering resilient communities. This session will explore how traditional Indigenous knowledge can be integrated with modern leadership practices to empower the next generation. Join us for an interactive discussion that blends storytelling with practical leadership strategies, drawing from the experiences of Indigenous youth leaders across the Arctic. We will also delve into the role of education, community involvement, and policy advocacy in shaping the future of Indigenous youth in the Arctic. Participants will leave with actionable insights on bridging cultural traditions with contemporary leadership to address the unique challenges facing Arctic communities today.
With rising temperatures from climate change and a growth of people drawn to the winter mountains of Northern Norway, the future generations of the Arctic, are facing challenges that only can be met with strategic adaption processes. How can communities and peoples best adapt to the different weather patterns we face and the increase in snow avalanches frequency and severity? How can we sustain traditional ways of living and recreating in nature, whilst at the same time be welcome to an increasing number of guests? Through research on human decision-making in avalanche prone areas and the relational strategies for communicating danger, we can close in on some possible solutions to make the changing Arctic a safer and more sustainable place both for recreationalists and professionals, locals and visitors, individuals and communities. Through various perspectives and insights, we can keep the Arctic as a gem of the world. Come join a discussion for how we can face the challenges together – and come out stronger.
Join us at the Arctic Youth Conference 2025 for a dynamic, interactive session designed to kick-start your career in ocean restoration! Meet three inspiring young leaders from different fields—policy research, natural science, and social science—who are shaping the future of our oceans. These trailblazers will share how their passion for marine conservation led to meaningful careers and offer practical advice to help you find your own path. Expect real talk, personal stories, and actionable tips on building a career in marine restoration. From networking strategies to must-have skills and the importance of diversity and inclusion, you’ll walk away with insights to fuel your professional journey. Plus, discover how the BlueMissionAA Horizon Europe project—part of the EU’s “Restore Our Ocean and Waters by 2030” initiative—is driving collaborative action for healthier oceans. This session is your chance to explore career opportunities, connect with like-minded peers, and gain the confidence to step into a leadership role in Arctic marine conservation. Don’t miss this opportunity to turn your passion into action! BlueMissionAA is a Mission Ocean project funded by the EU.
Join us for an engaging two-hour workshop aimed at addressing the most pressing challenges faced by Arctic youth organizations and enhancing their engagement with high-level platforms and decision-makers. In the first hour, participants will engage in interactive, World Café style discussions, co-organized by the Barents Regional Youth Council (BRYC) and Arctic Youth Network (AYN). Participants will explore strategies for overcoming resource limitations, enhancing sustainability, and increasing youth participation in decision-making processes. This will involve active participation, using whiteboards, sticky notes, and digital platforms for brainstorming and idea exchange. In the second hour, Arctic parliamentarians will join the workshop, providing a unique opportunity for direct dialogue and collaboration, fostering stronger relationships and impactful communications. This dynamic session will conclude with actionable insights and a compelling call to action for all attendees
Science is crucial to understanding and addressing the unique challenges of the Arctic, yet it’s increasingly seen as unappealing among young people. "Make Science Youth Again" is an engaging session aimed at reversing this trend by focusing on the challenges faced both in the general scientific environment and those specific to Arctic research. With the average age of researchers now over 40, it's vital to explore why young people are turning away from science and how we can make it more accessible and appealing. We are currently exploring various format options, including plenary sessions, roundtable discussions, and sharing circles. Each format - or a combination thereof - will allow participants to voice their concerns, share ideas, and develop actionable strategies. We are also seeking facilitators for this session and would greatly appreciate any assistance from the organizers in this regard. Join us to help inspire change and make science a more vibrant, inclusive path for the next generation.
Status of Ecosystem-Based Management in the Arctic and the Call for Youth Involvement in its Implementation
Closing Activity: Early Career Networking and Social Event: Let the Connections Flow!
Remarks by Morten Høglund, Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials
UArctic – Networking Session
Open Mic & Pizza
Performance by Linus Johnsen
The High North Center and the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) in collaboration with YoungArctic present: Early Career Networking and Social Event: Let the Connections Flow! Join us for a fun and informal networking event designed just for early career researchers, professionals, students, and/or young people with a passion for the Arctic! What to Expect: