UAF hosting Arctic Ocean policy workshop
July 25, 2011
907-474-7902
7/22/11
The University of Alaska Fairbanks will host experts from 12 nations July 24-27 for a workshop examining international policy issues involving the Arctic Ocean.
The workshop, “The Arctic Ocean Beyond National Jurisdiction,” is expected to draw about 60 arctic experts and policymakers from around the world.
“We will consider the politics, economics, legal frameworks and use of resources in the Arctic Ocean outside the bounds of national arctic nation jurisdiction,” said UAF professor Lawson Brigham, who is leading the workshop with UAF Vice Chancellor Mike Sfraga.
The workshop is an outgrowth of Chancellor Brian Rogers’ goal to position UAF as a leader in arctic policy issues.
The workshop highlights UAF’s unique role in discussions about the Arctic and ways in which these discussions affect the state of Alaska, Sfraga said.
Workshop speakers include U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell, U.S. Arctic Research Commission chairwoman Fran Ulmer and Canadian Polar Commission chairman Bernie Funston. Three working groups will focus on living resources and scientific research, marine navigation and security, and international seabed and extended Continental Shelf.
The workshop is jointly hosted by the UAF School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences and the UA Geography Program and the Marine and Environmental Law Institute at Dalhousie University, one of Canada’s leading universities emphasizing marine research. PEW Charitable Trusts is the workshop’s primary sponsor. Other sponsors include Total Foundation of France, the Canadian Consulate of Anchorage and the Natural Resources Defense Council. The workshop is not open to the public, however, the final workshop report will be publicly available.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Nancy Tarnai, SNRAS information officer, at 907-474-5042 or ntarnai@alaska.edu. Mike Sfraga or Lawson Brigham at 907-474-7317.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Contact Tarnai to schedule interviews with participants during breaks and receptions.