NAVIGATING THE NORTH: PERSPECTIVES ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE ARCTIC CALL FOR PAPERS
Theme of the Workshop
The Arctic region has undergone rapid changes with far-reaching and profound consequences on many areas. One key driver for this is climate change, but others include technology development (e.g. deep-sea mining), migration, tourism, demographic changes, and changes in the geopolitical situation. In addition, this region is experiencing a rush for resources including for critical minerals. The interest in critical minerals has been accompanied by extensive norms production at the national and international level. Access to the Arctic Ocean is also changing rapidly with potential new access and longer seasons of navigation. In this context where conditions are rapidly changing, one main concern is how global cooperation, and international law can ensure sustainable development in the Arctic region. The workshop aims at discussing various approaches and perspectives to sustainable development interrogating the various interrelated aspects of ‘sustainability’ in the Arctic. General themes to be explored include:
- The roles, rights and influences of the various actors of the Artic on sustainable development;
-Regime interactions: interaction between international, regional and domestic legal regimes regarding sustainability in the Arctic;
- International economic law (trade & investment) and sustainable development in the Arctic;
- Challenges and opportunities pertaining to a human rights approach to sustainability in the Arctic region;
- Sustainable Arctic Ocean governance;
- Environmental protection in the Arctic region (including for example, climate change, protection of biological biodiversity, sustainable management of natural resources);
- Indigenous and critical perspectives (including for example, degrowth, postcolonial critique) to sustainable development in the Arctic region.
We particularly welcome innovative, critical, theoretical, empirical, and interdisciplinary approaches relevant to the overarching theme. Practitioners, policy makers and scholars of all disciplines and all career stages are welcome to apply.
Submission Procedure
• To apply, please submit an abstract in English of no more than 500 words by filling this form by March 15, 2025.
• Successful applicants will be notified by email early in May 2025.
• The deadline for submission of early drafts (4 000-6000 words) to be discussed at the workshop is August 1, 2025.
Abstract selection will consider the originality and relevance of the proposal, as well as the need to ensure diversity.
Practical details
The workshop will take place on 28-29 August 2025 at the University of Inland Norway (Lillehammer, Norway) and will be held in English. Participants are expected to cover their accommodation and travel expenses by their own means. Online participation will also be considered. A special issue in a journal with a selection of papers is considered.
For questions, please contact Laura Létourneau Tremblay (laura.letourneautremblay@inn.no) or Charles Codѐre (charles.codere.1@ulaval.ca).
Organizers: Research Group on Legal Development, University of Inland Norway (Lillehammer) & Chair on New Challenges of Economic Globalization (Université Laval, Canada)