Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Pressures and Impacts on the Health and Well-being of Indigenous People of the Arctic: Invitational International Symposium and Symposium Publication  (International Symposium on the Health/Wellbeing of Arctic Indigenous People)

Outline
Extensive research, completed in all eight Arctic countries (Greenland/Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, and USA/Alaska), is now available on contaminant levels (persistent organic pollutants and metals), social and cultural change, climate change impacts and disease rates in human populations. Much of this research also examines specific ‘change factors’ or pressures. The majority of this work has been reported or published through the assessment reports of the Arctic Council of circumpolar nations; however, integrating and communicating the various streams of research disciplines has been difficult. Understanding the full extent of single subject influences, such as contaminant loadings, disease pathogens or climate change, on the health of indigenous populations is a complex task. The complexity is not just in the intricate relationships between effects, response, gender and age, but also in how these impacts may be enhanced or mitigated by other factors (diet, lifestyle, economic change, cultural values, etc). The Arctic Council recognized this complexity and has called for more multi-disciplinary research and evaluation of multi-factoral influences on the health of Arctic people in 2000 and a more integrated approach through an Arctic Human Health Initiative (AHHI) in 2004. This project will draw together new and established scientists and policy makers in an international symposium at the end of the IPY. Invited speakers and paying participants will contribute to presentations, posters, and rich panel discussion on selected health themes relevant to Indigenous People. The results of the symposium will be written up in a comprehensive scientific report that addresses the cutting edge of known and predicted health implications of changing economic, social, physical, and environmental conditions in the Arctic. This project is a component of the AHHI already submitted as a coordinating and networking project to the IPY Secretariat by the USA (Dr. Alan Parkinson).

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project is unique in that it will assemble the best and the brightest to evaluate, and interpret the significance of their research in an interdisciplinary context. It will address cutting edge views not only on the current state, but also the change (observed and predicted) in the polar environment and the implications for Arctic populations. Research linkages between contaminants, disease rates, social and cultural pressures on indigenous people, etc will be critical. It will establish provocative new frontiers for research and policy related to health investigation. It will focus on human society in a changing Arctic, where economic activity, climate, tourism, media and social patterns are mixing and evolving. Finally it will put the Arctic under a spotlight to showcase its resources, its richness and it’s potential if sustainable development principles are applied. This project will inform, educate, promote multidisciplinary thinking and showcase scientific excellence. It will leave a blueprint for policy direction and research for the next 10 years.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This project will be a collaborative project between the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP) Secretariat, the Human Health Assessment Group (HHAG) and the Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) of the Arctic Council. Several Arctic countries, international organizations (WHO invited), Indigenous Peoples organizations (ICC), and leading universities (University of Aarhus, University of Ottawa, Tromso University, etc.) will also collaborate on this project.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
There is no direct field work component for this Project, however, the Symposium will take place at the University of Aarhus, Denmark through the Centre for Arctic Environmental Medicine. Individual researchers will be conducting their health impact studies in all eight Arctic countries, Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The University of Aarhus is willing to host the meeting. The AMAP Secretariat is willing to contribute expertise to the editing and publishing of the invited papers. This project is a key component of the Arctic Human Health Initiative (see reference to AHHI in 1.3).

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No, not an infrastructure legacy. It will have a scientific and policy legacy which should last for ten years.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
Own national polar operator
National agency
Own support
Other sources of support

The Danish EPA, Health Canada, the Northern Contaminants Program (Canada), the US EPA and Centers for Disease Control, the University of Tromso (Norway), the AMAP and SDWG, Indigenous Peoples organizations and others are expected to agree to support the development and implementation of this symposium and the publication of its proceedings.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The project has been reviewed critically by several organizations and governmental members of Artic Council working groups. The project is being submitted to the Canadian IPY Committee for the first time and will be reviewed by other country national committees evaluating IPY activities.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Yes

The project will bring together threads from research conducted by many countries, agencies, and groups under the guidance of the Arctic Council. The Arctic Council endorses this approach and the project will be considered part of the AHHI network of projects.

How will the project be organised and managed?
An international Steering Committee of eminent scientists and policy makers in the Arctic health field and Indigenous leaders will advise on the Symposium's development. The project will be managed by the Human Health Assessment Group (HHAG) of the AMAP on behalf of the Arctic Council. It will be a component of a network of scientific reporting, evaluation and policy discussion activities under the Arctic Council’s AHHI

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The Symposium will attract experts, Indigenous leaders and Permanent Participants to the Arctic Council and promote lively debate and discussion. It will also be followed up with a publication of the invited presentations, the panel discussion and the research and policy findings.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
No requirements for data management exist. A publication will ensue (see above)

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The project will probably cost $250 K (USD) (symposium and publication). Discussions have commenced with most of the following: Norway/AMAP, Health Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, US EPA, US Centres for Disease Control, the Fogarty Foundation (NIEHS), University of Alaska, Aarhus University, University of Ottawa, Tromso University, the World Bank, the UN Environment Program, the Global Environment Facility. Others may be added to the list.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Our objective is to examine through informed dialogue, the current state of knowledge related to the pressures and integrated effects of several factors on indigenous health in the Arctic region. The symposium will include as key pressures: the Arctic economy, climate change, wildlife/food gathering and dietary change, socio-cultural factors and anthropology, emerging and existing disease, and contaminant burdens and others. The symposium will examine these influences independently and also how each may exacerbate or mitigate the influence of the others. The publication forthcoming from this symposium will present the invited keynote papers and the key elements of the panel discussion. It will both summarize our current state of knowledge and define areas for future research and evaluation. This publication will have the potential to influence policy decisions among Arctic nations. This project is distinct from, but linked to another Canadian proposal (Lead, Dr Jay van Oostdam: AMAP HHAG Workshop). The Workshop proposal will focus on the results of the HHAG research program from 2004 to 2008 and be limited to contaminant influences. The current proposal for the International Symposium will address multiple health stressors. Finally, the results of the International Symposium and subsequent publication will contribute to the 2009 Conference of the International Union of Circumpolar Health to be held in Yellowknife, Canada (see AHHI proposal mentioned in 1.3). This project has already received endorsement from some of the Permanent Participants to the Arctic Council. None have rejected the proposal.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Andrew Gilman
University of Ottawa, Population Health Institute
571 Hilson Ave.
Ottawa, ON
K1Z 6C9
Canada

Tel: 613-728-1141
Mobile: no
Fax: 514 370-9785
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation