Youth Engagement and Expeditions Under the Norwegian Chairship of the Arctic Council

Arctic Ocean Research Cruise II – August 2023

The Arctic Ocean Research Cruise II, organized by the Norwegian Polar Institute and supported by the Norwegian Chairship of the Arctic Council, brought together 14 students and early career professionals from across the Arctic. These participants, coming from diverse backgrounds and regions, set sail for three weeks on the research vessel Kronprins Haakon to conduct scientific research and experience the challenges of the Central Arctic Ocean.

The focus of the cruise was twofold: scientific exploration and capacity-building for the next generation of Arctic scientists. Alongside experienced scientists from NPI and two Arctic Council Working Groups - the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) and the Protection of Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) - the participants gathered scientific data while learning about the unique environmental challenges facing the Arctic Ocean. As Nalan Koc, Special Adviser, External Relations at NPI, noted, "Climate challenges know no borders. Diversity was a priority when organizing this cruise, ensuring that students could build international connections. Our aim was not only to advance scientific work but also to create networking opportunities and foster the capacity building of future scientists."

In this spirit, the Arctic Ocean Cruise II exemplified international cooperation in research, and participants were able to develop professional relationships that will extend far beyond the cruise itself. As Ole Arve Misund, expedition leader and former director of NPI, emphasized, "To solve the climate challenges we face, the international community must come together as a team. This cruise, though one small part of the larger picture, shows how research and cooperation can transcend borders and bring together the scientists of tomorrow."

While the Arctic Ocean Research Cruise II in August 2023 focused on scientific research and collaboration, the Kristin Harila x AMAP Arctic Youth Expedition in January 2025 brought youth closer to the realities of climate change in Northern Norway.

As part of the lead-up to the Arctic Youth Conference, the Kristin Harila x AMAP Arctic Youth Expedition offered young people a unique chance to witness the Arctic's natural beauty and understand the impacts of climate change in a personal and immersive way by the knowledge of those who live in and of the highland. Over four days, youth participants skied across Finnmarksvidda in Northern Norway, witnessing and experiencing the region's environment themselves.

The expedition aimed to offer participants a deeper, more in-depth understanding of the Arctic and its changing climate. As Rolf Rødven, Executive Secretary of the Working Group AMAP, explained, "Whenever we discuss climate predictions, especially with youth, there’s often a sense of resignation. That’s not what we want. This time, we brought young people to the Arctic for them to experience climate change firsthand, interact with local communities, and speak with reindeer herders. Our goal is for them to have a more thorough understanding and then for them to come back and communicate what's going on with their own and a stronger message."

The Success of Having Youth Expeditions
by Malou Platou Johansen

Building connections across borders can be done in many ways, but the strongest connections are often built through shared experiences. The Norwegian Chairship of the Arctic Council facilitated two expeditions where youth living or working in the Arctic could come together and form bonds by experiencing extraordinary things together.

I was fortunate to attend both expeditions, each with its unique flair. One of the most valuable aspects of these experiences is the lasting relationships formed. These expeditions allowed youth from diverse backgrounds to connect, share knowledge and create memories that would last a lifetime.

Over the course of the three-week Arctic Ocean Research Cruise II, participants collected data on various aspects of the Arctic environment. Those who weren’t involved in specific research projects rotated through different forms of data collection, gaining valuable hands-on experience. I was one of the participants who got to try everything. With my background in fish and shrimp collection, it was exciting to learn new techniques while also teaching others what I knew. I was especially proud when senior research scientist Haakon Hop complimented my fish identification skills.

Being on board a ship with the same group of people for three weeks created deep connections. As the only people you see daily, the bonds formed during this cruise have lasted. Many of my peers have continued to support me in my academic work, such as reading through my thesis or helping me practice for my defence. Some have become connections whom I see yearly, for example, when passing through their country and they generously show their working place to me and my colleagues – creating new collaboration opportunities. Other participants, I see either in town or at conferences, which is nice since seeing familiar faces is always comforting.

For the Kristin Harila x AMAP Arctic Youth Expedition, the goal was to create connections between youth while also providing them with a firsthand experience of climate change. Despite a polar low storm disrupting the original plan, the expedition team managed to adapt, ensuring that we still had the opportunity to ski 50 km and meet local communities. It does not matter the age or background you have. After all, you can always learn something new because you talk to someone coming from a different place and life experience than yourself. This trip was indeed an opportunity for this to occur.

Youth are the future, and having connections from an early start makes collaborations easier down the path. How these contacts are made does not have to be in the setting of meetings or conferences. Strong bonds are created by shared memories, which I hope the Arctic Council continues to create for youth in the future.

Conclusion: The Future of Youth Engagement

Through these experiences, the Norwegian Chairship of the Arctic Council has shown that youth engagement goes beyond conferences or meetings. By empowering young people to experience the Arctic’s challenges firsthand, these expeditions offer the next generation of Arctic leaders the tools, connections, and inspiration needed to drive meaningful action toward a sustainable future for the region.