Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Global Change - Social Challenges: an inter-generational and gender perspective on ongoing social processes  (Global Change – Social Challenges)

Outline
The question of sustainable development emphasizes the need of understanding changes not only in relation to the present, but in an inter-generational perspective. In addition the need for a gender perspective has been emphasized. As development in the Arctic is influencing both the living conditions and the cultural characteristics of the population in the North, the present pace of globalization is calling for a research focus on both short and long term perspectives in social changes. Crucial is the need of inter-disciplinarity in the research activities due to the intimate connections between the bio-physical, the socio-economic and the cultural worlds, just as an understanding of the changes in inter-generational and gender perspectives is very much needed. The focus of the project is on five major components:- The first component is a status of the living conditions, health and welfare situation characterizing the communities in the Arctic, including the regional and structural characteristics of different types of settlements - first of all the divide between towns and villages - and through the differences in perceptions of development goals.- The second component is on the status of education and research activities shaping the future patterns of development, especially the question of the interaction between the two divergent processes of centralization and decentralization as components in the process.- A third component is the question of information, its access and distribution, and how it contributes to the shaping of the future, on one hand due to increased access by Artic residents to the global flow of information, and on the other hand the access for outsiders to a more in-depth understanding of the Arctic perspectives.- A fourth component is the questions of risk, threads and crises in the development process, and how realities as well as the perceptions are influencing the social interaction in Arctic communities. On one hand the question of establishing and maintaining efficient and competent health system in sparsely populated Arctic regions including the modification and transfer of technology to quite different settings. And on the other hand the question of understanding and managing violence, both in its public and domestic forms. - A fifth component - and a cross-cutting issue - is the youth and gender perspectives on the development process, on one hand the question of participation and involvement in the social processes, and on the other hand their specific role in the processes of change, influencing both the direction and characteristics of the development process.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
1. A circumpolar comparative approach to the research questions, with focus on as well a synchronic as a diachronic analysis of changes in the social characteristics of the Arctic communities.2. The emphasis on the inclusion of an inter-generational and gender approach to the analysis emphasizes an approach crucial for a quest for sustainable development.3. Both approaches emphasizes important element highly relevant for educational purposes and general dissemination of knowledge about the ongoing development processes in the Arctic.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Besides extensive involvement of several research teams in Greenland and Denmark, the project will involve research teams from both inside and outside the Circumpolar North: USA: University of Alaska, Fairbanks; University of New Hampshire; Canada: University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George; Université Laval, Quebec; McGill University, Montréal; University of Winnipeg; Norway: University of Tromsø; Sweden: University of Uppsala; Finland: Arctic Center, University of Lapland; Iceland: University of Iceland, Reykjavik; University of Akureyri; Faroe Islands: University of Faore Islands, Thorshavn; Russia: Kola Science Center, Apatity; Institute of Humanities, Murmansk.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Major field work will take place in Greenland involving both towns and villages, and comparative studies will be conducted in selected communities the Circumpolar North in general.

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Besides general travel arrangements, the only major logistic support required will be in connection with research visits to some of the more remote communities, but the infrastructure is available. The only obstacle is costs.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
NO

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
YES - See attached document for national endorsement at this point of time.

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 new, but will build on a number of recently conducted and ongoing components, such as the Arctic Living Conditions Survey, the Analysis of Hunters and Fishermen in Greenland, and others.

How will the project be organised and managed?
An international consortium will be established, including a steering committee involving representation from the major institutions. The major research activities will be taken care of by a number of self-governing sub-projects, under the auspicious of the committee.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The project will involve PhD-courses in cooperation with the three Arctic PhD-networks: CASS , CAES and IPSSAS, all three of them major contributors to the University of the Arctic advanced studies activities. There will be one two week course on each of the five components of the project, taking place on selected venues in the Arctic, involving faculty members and students from the participating universities, but also open for participation from other institutions.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
An informational infrastructure will be established for the project, situated jointly at Statistics Greenland and at North Atlantic Regional Studies, Roskilde University, and managed by a Data Management Committee.A website will be used for disseminating the data acquired in connection with the project.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The project is expected to be funded through national funding agencies, primarily the Ministry of Research, and the National Research Councils.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr. Rasmus Ole Rasmussen
NORS – North Atlantic Regional Studies
Roskilde University 02.1
P.O.Box 260
DK4000 Roskilde
Denmark

Tel: +45 4632 6550
Mobile: +45 2160 3954
Fax: +45 4632 3031
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation