The 2015 MatchPoints Seminar, Security and Governance in the Globalised Arctic: Nordic and International Perspectives begins today, 12 November 2015. The two-day conference, which is hosted by Aarhus University, is being called the most important Danish foreign policy conference conference of the past decade. Researchers, ministers, politicians and diplomats from all over the world have travelled to Aarhus, Denmark to discuss the political, economic and environmental challenges facing the Arctic. Russia will also be represented.
The Earth's northernmost region is now the object of more global interest than ever before. New power relations are developing, and new patterns of collaboration must be established and maintained. As the climate changes and the polar ice pack melts, new trade routes, new oil and gas fields, fishing waters and tourist destinations are opening up, and this poses a risk – to the environment, to the local population and to other people in the Arctic.
The goal of the conference is to contribute to reinforcing and developing the existing international collaboration in relation to the Arctic and to help ensure that joint efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region are not undermined by conflict.Danish Minister for Higher Education and Science Esben Lunde Larsen, Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs Kristian Jensen, several ambassadors, American and Russian diplomatic representatives, and prominent researchers from the Arctic coastal states will participate in the conference.
The Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science has provided support for the conference. In the words of Minister Esben Lunde Larsen,
“Today’s conference emphasises the importance of international interdisciplinary collaboration that can give us a better understanding of Arctic challenges and opportunities This collaboration also strengthens our relationships and opportunities for learning from each other.”
The geopolitical balance of power in the Arctic and future cooperation between the Arctic coastal states are two topics that are high on today’s agenda.
“The Arctic has risen on the global agenda, and it’s important that we expand cooperation between these countries in the area of security policy and foreign policy. For this reason, the MatchPoints conference is extremely important – for Denmark, the Nordic countries and the international community,” says Michael Böss, associate professor at Aarhus University and director of the MatchPoints Seminars.
The conference is offered by Aarhus University in cooperation with the City of Aarhus and other Danish and Nordic universities and research institutions. The conference is supported by partners including the Danish Parliament, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Denmark, the Danish Ministry of Defence, the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science and the Nordic Council of Ministers.
The Danish journalist Martin Breum, who is an expert on the Arctic, will be conference facilitator. x The conference will continue on Friday with a variety of workshops. Read more at matchpoints.au.dk.
Associate Professor Michael Böss (Aarhus University), director of the MatchPoints Seminars
engmb@dac.au.dk or +45 2093 4818
The MatchPoints Seminars are annual international conferences hosted by Aarhus University in Denmark. Each MatchPoints conference centres on an issue of general societal interest and combines panel debates and talks by prominent political and academic figures. In keeping with the aim of encouraging public dialogue, MatchPoints is open to the public.
