Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

International Congress “The Russian Arctic and the World Community: Globalization and Search for a New Paradigm of Development” in Yakutsk, March-April, 2007.  (RA&WC)

Outline
At present the Arctic region is undergoing the formation of a new type of international cooperation, a new international community with its own management system. The development of this cooperation on the territory which in the recent past was considered to be wilderness that did not have any significance for the socio-economic processes on the planet and then became an area of merciless economic exploitation, is now characterized by: the search for new forms of cooperation, intertwining of different, sometimes diametrically opposite factors, events, interests. The competition in military power, exploration and demonstration of nuclear weapons possibilities is now being increasingly overpowered in the Arctic by its intensive economic development, by the new position and significant role of the indigenous Arctic peoples in the social processes, special attention paid by the international community to the region’s ecology. But also some difficulties of the Arctic international cooperation have emerged by now: different levels of countries’ development, different interests of partners, national peculiarities, language barrier, gap between the standard of living in the North of Russia and that of other countries, social and economic progress and traditional lifestyle, etc. Having the international scientific forum held in Yakutsk, the capital of Russia’s largest Arctic region inhabited by 6 indigenous Arctic peoples (Yakuts, Evens, Evenks, Yukagirs, Chukchis, Dolgans) under the aegis of the International Polar Year will promote the search for the optimal model of development for the northern regions of the Russian Federation, and the RA&WC’s meetings and discussions will be focused around the main complex of political, economic, social and cultural problems of the Russian Arctic. They will include the issues of developing an effective government policy towards the North, finding an optimal balance between the interests of the state and business in the economic exploration of the region, making of the international, Russian and regional Arctic legislation, providing conditions for the development of traditional economy and culture of the indigenous peoples, possibilities for international cooperation in the region. Plenary and panel sessions, discussions and debates will be open to representatives of northern governmental agencies, self-governing communities and institutions of indigenous peoples, mass media, all interested public to ensure broader involvement in development of scientific proposals and recommendations of RA&WC. The organization of the scientific forum in Yakutsk, a large educational and scientific of North-East Asia will attract to the Arctic studies undergraduate and postgraduate students, young researchers, as well as expand the scientific contacts of scientists from different countries.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Theme 3: - RA&WC will discuss the main themes of the IPY, concerning relations and interaction between polar regions and human communities in the Arctic. The most important achievement will become the establishment of contacts between scientists from different countries and regions of Russia, the outreach and dissemination of knowledge about the North, the joining of efforts by governmental, social and scientific institutions for the development of the optimal model of development for the northern regions of the Earth.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The project’s aim propose active international cooperation of scientists from the whole Circumpolar North. International organizations will be involved concerned with the Arctic’s problems (NF, NSF, UArctic, etc.)

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The RA&WC will take place in Yakutsk, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Russia. Field work may be undertaken by participants in RA&WC, but no field work will be arranged directly related to the conference.

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
No

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes

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 is a new autonomous proposal.

How will the project be organised and managed?
An organizing committee (to be established in the spring of 2006) will include as its members leading Arctic researches, members of the IPY regional committee, Yakutsk State University, other educational and scientific institutions, social organizations of indigenous peoples, state structures’ representatives. Further on, a working group will be organized to prepare and run the congress. Gradually the preparatory process will include keynote speakers, session-chairpersons and poster presenters.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
We hope that RA&WC, thanks to the intended broad involvement and participation of undergraduate and postgraduate students and young researchers will serve as a source of further propagation, publicity and education in the field of polar sciences. The RA&WC activities will not only receive publicity, but also attract attention to the problems of the northern regions of Russia from governmental and business circles, and stimulate further scientific research in the region.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
It is proposed to prepare and publish in Russian and English a collection of materials of the congress, which will be available to be included to all the databases of world Arctic centres and organizations.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
It it proposed to fund the project mainly through the IPY Russian national committee, the government of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) as well as in part through Russian scientific funds.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Vasily N. Ivanov
Institute of Humanities, Academy of Sciences of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia)
Petrovsky St., 1
Yakutsk , Sakha (Yakutia) Republic
677027
Russia

Tel: +7 (4112) 364113
Mobile: no
Fax: +7 (4112) 354996
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation