Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #134: Globalization and Circumpolar Resource-Dependent Communities  (Globalization and Circumpolar Resource-Dependent Communities)

Outline
Resource-dependency is one of the defining characteristics of circumpolar communities. Many of these communities have been created and shaped by the industrial needs of the more populated central metropolises. Since their creation, circumpolar resource-dependent communities have been under the influence of outside economic forces. Many people argue that this lack of local control has intensified lately under the influence of a new economic system called globalization. We are proposing to organize a project for the International Polar Year that will examine the situation of circumpolar resource-dependent communities in light of globalization. Globalization is a term meaning many things to different people. One attempt to explain globalization in a manner which is meaningful to circumpolar regions is found in an article by the American sociologist Philip McMicheal. McMicheal has tried to determine the effect of globalization on spatial patterns, especially the urban-rural distinction (1996). He sees globalization as having some potentially positive impacts on rural areas. According to McMicheal, the “post-developmentalism” accompanying globalization presents the possibility of changes in regional patterns. With the extension of globalization and the decreasing importance of the nation-state, the “local” becomes more important. State decentralization presents “an opportunity” for “local political renewal”. “Rurality” becomes important as a particular lifestyle option rather than an economic fact. Looking at the circumpolar communities, there is the potential for globalization to free them from national colonialisms. Yet is globalization having a positive impact on these communities? Is globalization a good thing or a bad thing for the North? Globalization could mean that development of circumpolar regions are now liberated from the constraints imposed upon them by national economic systems. But is it better or worse to be controlled by international market mechanisms? What has been the impact of these forces on these communities? How are these communities different from those of 30 years ago? What are the common challenges to a sustainable future for these communities? What does globalization mean for capacity-building in these communties? The project would gather researchers from all eight Arctic nations to examine the impact of globalization on circumpolar resource-dependent communities. Implied in this project is an examination of globalization’s impact on these communities’ sustainability and capacity-building potential. While this project would be concentrated on the north, examples could also be included from the circumpolar south.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project would significantly advance our knowledge related to the following IPY theme questions/topics: Theme 1: What is the present status of demography, health and educational conditions, language, economy, access to infrastructure, etc. of polar peoples, and how do these vary regionally and in time. What are the contemporary factors of social cohesion and values for polar societies? The project would examine the varying status due to the impacts of globalization on circumpolar resource communities. Theme 3: What are the impacts of polar climate change on resource exploitation, world economy and global politics? The project would include an examination of climate change on resource exploitation and its effect on resource-dependent communities. Theme 4: What will be the nature and extent of social transformations induced by large-scale resource exploitation, industrialization and infrastructures development in polar regions? How will these influence relations between demographic, economic and social trends, and ultimately impact the environment? These questions are at the centre of the proposed research. Theme 6: To investigate the cultural, historical, and social processes that shape the sustainability of circumpolar human societies, and to identify their unique contributions to global cultural diversity and citizenship. These objectives are at the centre of the proposed research.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This project would gather together people involved with Research Centre on Resource Dependent Communities and the New Economy, Lakehead University, Canada and researchers involved with the Management of Social Transformations – Circumpolar Coping Processes Project, University of Tromso, Norway, along with community development researchers in Alaska, Russia, Iceland, Sweden, Greenland/Denmark, and Finland. The project would use researchers associated with the University of the Arctic.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Circumpolar Resource-dependent communities in the eight Arctic states with the possible addition of some southern circumpolar resource-dependent communities.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 06/2005 –12/ 2008            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
No significant logistic support/facilities are required.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
We would develop a series of indicators that could be used in later longitudinal studies.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). Ongoing discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: Healthy and Sustainable Communities: Exploitation of Resources

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?
New

How will the project be organised and managed?
An international team of researchers will be formed. In addition, national teams will be formed. The national teams will seek out national research funds and co-ordinate research done in their respective communities.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The team will develop a web-site to present findings. Community presentations will be organized to ensure that the information is shared with the communities being examined. Research reports will be distributed to all concerned communities. Information will be supplied for course development by the University of the Arctic.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?

How is it proposed to fund the project?
National funding will be sought out by national research teams. In Canada potential sources of funds include SSHRC and the National IPY Committee.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Chris Southcott
955 Oliver Rd., Thunder Bay ON


P7B 5E1
Canada

Tel: 807-343-8349
Mobile: no
Fax: 807-346-7831
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation