Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Resource exploitation, Trade, Technology and Economy  (Resource exploitation and Economy)

Outline
The general theme is the contemporary process of exploitation of living and non-living resources in Greenland and other Arctic regions. This approach involves sustainable development and growth, development strategies, technological change and trade diversification, productivity, reforms on privatization and liberalization, migration of labor, capital mobility, living conditions for people in the arctic, environmental consequences, infrastructure, planning, local participation in decision making and ownership and administrative and political decision making processes.The gist of development prerequisites is fisheries and in this sector major socio-economic shifts due to changes in environment, to technological change and to changes of economic and social structures. Analyses necessitate theories, models, mapping of the current state and functioning of this sector, long run time series studies on major socio-economic variables, comparative analysis, quantitative sociological analysis as well as qualitative analysis. Furthermore, similar approaches should be utilized to oil and gas production and mining and to new sectors like tourism and the new knowledge based economy (ICT). In terms of primary trades hunting and sheep breeding still plays an important part, when evaluating the structural shifts and mapping existing structures. Quantitatively, this implies the determination of the value of game and livestock, and it implies analysis of potentials for new crops, livestock and additional and derived activities to and from agriculture made possible to utilize due to climatic change. Along with new knowledge based organizations comes local traditional knowledge in the hunting communities forming a potential improvement, when appraising the biological secure maximum harvesting of traditional game. Scientific research accompanied by local co-determination and network building of users underpins an improved knowledge base. Institutional change is an important aspect of understanding the driving forces of socio-economic change. A distinct feature in recent developments is the attempt to roll back Government, that hitherto has been a crucial element in development. In the era of globalization this imposes privatization and liberalization policies on arctic societies, and it raises the question whether these attempts are in accordance with or can substitute Inuit values and ways of organizing economic and social life? Additionally this raises issues related to privatization models more suitable for local values and ways? In the Government sector decision making processes and the question of either centralized or decentralized structures, regionalization and the institutional and administrative framework are important concepts when assessing regionalization within Greenland and across to neighbouring communities in the Arctic.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The proposed ‘umbrella’ of research fields and research designs cover almost all of the IPY themes. In terms of “Dynamic Arctic – Facing Challenges in a Changing Environment”, “Interactions, Processes and Trends”, “Long Term Trends” and Global – Local Interaction”, the proposed analysis and development strategies and sustainable development and growth across arctic regions both contain present knowledge of major processes and interaction patterns. Focus could be set on crucial elements of structural change both historically in a post-war context, and in prolongation of this on development potentials for the next decades. Additionally recent developments may involve the implication of globalization on development of arctic regions.Furthermore, the living conditions approach includes “socio-economic processes” in the sense that different approaches and methodologies regarding living conditions and in general the standard of living in Greenland and other arctiv regions

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Research teams in Greenland (Ilisimatusarfik/University of Greenland in Nuuk, The Centre for Arctic Technology in Sisimiut) and in Denmark (North Atlantic Regional Studies at Roskilde University Centre, The Development and international Relations Studies program at The University of Aalborg, The ‘Arctic researchers Network at Denmark’s Technical University) In the US University of Alaska, Fairbanks and University of New Hampshire. In Canada University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, Universite’ Laval in Quebec, Mcgill University in Montreal and University of Winnipeg. In Norway University of Tromsø. In Sweden, University of Uppsala. In Finland the Arctic center, University of Lapland. In Iceland University of Iceland in Reykjavik and University of Akureyri. Faroe Islands, University of Thorshavn and in Russia the Kola Science Center in Apaptity and the Institute of humanities, Murmansk

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
As this proposal contain an umbrella of potential projects, it is not possible accurately to outline the field work needed to implement emprirical stiudies. Yet, field studies and data compilations as desribed are a necessary precondition for analysis

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?

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

Commercial operators are airlines and commercial ship traffic. Locally other forms of transportation of researchers may be arranged.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
YES - http://www.dpc.dk/Res&Log/IPY/Endorsement.pdf

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. Nonetheless it will build on activities of existing research environments described above under heading 1.7

How will the project be organised and managed?
As an international consortium/network of researchers

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 Ph.D. courses in co-operation with 3 arctic PhD networks: CASS, CAES and IPSSAS. Moreover international conferences like the Inuit Studies Conference, ICAS and similar will be natural forums for presentations of papers and preparations for publications.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
A web site will be used for disseminating of data

How is it proposed to fund the project?
National funding like the social scientific research council in Denmark and and similar research councils in other countries, Danish ministries, Nordic research funds, The Commission for scientific research in Greenland, The Home Rule research funds in Greenland

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Research professor Gorm Winther
University of Aalborg
Tranumparken 20, D
DK 9220 Aalborg Ø
Denmark

Tel: +459896358080 and +4598156501
Mobile: 4523606839
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation