High North Dialogue Academy Logo

For the first time in 2023, The High North Centre for Business and Governance (HNC) was proud to present the High North Dialogue Academy – a one week academy for young ambitious future leaders with a particular interest in Arctic societies.  

Every year the HNC organizes the international conference, The High North Dialogue (HND). This conference is the largest in the Arctic with young people as its primary target group. Every year students from all over the world participate in the discussions about contemporary and future issues in the High North.

In 2023 we invited students, business professionals, public employees, researchers etc., between the age of 18 to 40 and with a demonstrated interest in the Arctic to join us in Bodø for one week from the 17th-21st of April. The participants followed the program below consisting of lectures, company visits and social activities, including participation at the HND conference the 19th and 20th of April.

High North Dialogue Academy does not provide study points, but particpants receive a certificate of participation.

Scenario planning

The title of the HND conference was in 2023 Business in the Arctic in Challenging Times – Spaces of Opportunities, and constituted the thematic foundation for the content of the Academy program. Further, the students were be schooled in the methodology of Scenario Planning, a strategic tool used to foresee future changes. This is a widely used method in many sectors such as security politics and energy, and has been a thought subject at Nord University for many years. The Academy is an excellent opportunity to learn Scenario planning from some of the leading experts in Norway in this field.

Scenario workshop

Strange New World

Jan Dietz
Jan Dietz

The future seems more interesting (and frightening) than ever, not least in the Arctic. Brace yourself for it! And get a handle on it by learning more about scenarios.

This workshop was be led by Jan Dietz, a foresight specialist and an experienced scenario practitioner. He is an associate adviser and lecturer at the High North Center.

The Academy participants were be into groups and presented their scenarios for the Arctic 2050 before a panel of experts on arctic issues and scenarios on the final day of the Academy. The group presenting the best scenario received a prize. All participants received a diploma for their participation at the Academy.

Qualifications and how to apply

The Academy is open to people of all occupations between the age of 18 to 40 at the time of the academy. Send us your CV and a letter of motivation where you give a short description of you and your interest in the Arctic, whether it is through your studies, job, hobby, reads, future plans etc. Also, share one or more of your ideas about the future in the Arctic. What do you think the Arctic will be like in 2050? You can choose the theme/sector (Energy, international cooperation, business, governance, climate etc.). The motivation letter should not surpass 200 words.

Deadline: The next application period will be announced here!

Financing and funding opportunities

The full price for participating in HND Academy is 10 000 NOK, including accommodation during the week, meals, and the HND conference fee.

The HNC provides funding opportunities via grants covering the HND Academy participation fee (incl. housing, several meals, and conference fees). Transportation to and from Bodø needs to be covered by the participants themselves. The amount of grants are limited and the decision on who will be given a grant is made based on the motivation letter and CV.

Contact information

Maja Wolland Blomberg
Research Assistant and Project manager of HND Academy
maja.w.blomberg@nord.no

Program

Program High North Dialogue Academy 2023