High North Dialogue Academy is now open for applications!
The HNC Academy 2024: Arctic Business Perspectives will take place in the Bodø region between May 27th – June 2nd
The HNC Academy is a one-week seminar for young ambitious future leaders with a particular interest in Arctic societies.
Application deadline: March 24th
The HNC Academy is organised by the High North Center for Business and Governance (HNC). Every year, the HNC organizes the international conference, The High North Dialogue (HND), which is the largest conference in the Arctic with young people as its primary target group. It is a priority that young people from all over the world participate in the discussions about contemporary and future issues in the High North.
This year the HND will join forces with two other large events:
International Congress of Arctic Social Sciences (ICASS) XI
and
UArctic Congress 2024
to create the
The Arctic Congress Bodø 2024 is the core activity for the HNC Academy. The idea is to create a learning platform to share knowledge and facilitate network for young ambitious people who share the interest of societal development in the High North.
We are therefore very happy to invite students, business professionals, public employees, researchers etc., in the age of 18 to 40 and with a demonstrated interest in the Arctic to apply for the HNC Academy 2024. The participants will follow a program consisting of lectures, company visits and social activities, as well as participation at the Arctic Congress from the May 29th – June 1st.
High North Dialogue Academy does not provide study points, but particpants receive a certificate of participation.
Scenario planning
The title of this year’s Academy is Arctic Business Perspectives which constitutes the thematic foundation for the content of the Academy program. The students will 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. 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 will 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 will be divided into groups and will present their scenarios for the Arctic 2050 before a panel of experts on arctic issues and scenarios on the final day. The group presenting the best scenario receives a prize. All participants will receive 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 yourself and your interest in the Arctic, whether it is through studies, job, hobby, reads, future plans etc.
Also, share one or more 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.). We put emphasis on the creativity in these predictions when we select the candidates.
The motivation letter should not surpass 200 words.
Send your CV and letter to maja.w.blomberg@nord.no within March 24th 2024
Financing and funding opportunities
The full price for participating in HND Academy is 15 000 NOK, which includes accommodation during the week, meals, and the Arctic Congress 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
Read what some of last year’s participants have to say:
“There was something about studying the Arctic, in the Arctic, with people from and beyond the Arctic, that made for a truly inspiring experience at the HND Academy. Looking around, I was so heartened to know that people around the globe are willing to step forward and do their part for a better world”, Calvin (SG), former Graduate Research Assistant, Arctic Initiative, Belfer Center, Harvard Kennedy School (In the middle)
“In April 2023 I had the great chance to be among the twenty international participants to the very first High North Dialogue Academy. We not only were involved in workshops, practical activities and visits. We also took part – of course – in the conference held yearly in Bodø, High North Dialogue, and met with other experts and scholars from institutions, civil society, academia. We also had a brief face-to-face meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre. I highly recommend anyone interested in the future of the Arctic to apply for this year’s edition.” – Giulia (IT), SIOI alumna (here with Anders Oskal, Director of the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry (ICR)
“Participation in the 2023 High North Dialogue Academy was not just an interesting add on to my professional job, but a great step towards my future goals in my career. I built a network among the participants, which I regularly use in my job, and I got to experience a region of the Arctic that holds great importance to understanding the complexities we meet in Arctic communities and societies.” Kamilla (DK), Research Assistant, Centre for Blue Governance, Aalborg University.
Participating in t
he Academy revealed to me that the Arctic’s influence transcends the 66° 34′ N latitudinal line, with opportunities and consequences reaching beyond this boundary. The Academy not only facilitated connections with brilliant individuals worldwide but also played a pivotal role in shaping me into a more discerning and analytical thinker.” Vladislav (US), Associate Financial Advisor and former student at Alaska Anchorage.
“Participating in the High North Dialogue Academy last year was the highlight of my time as a
student interested in Arctic affairs. The whole week was a great experience, between meeting young people from all over the world, being able to exchange with Arctic experts, and participating in the discussions during the conference.” – Antoine (FR), former student at Université Paris-Saclay