Side Events are an integral part of the High North Dialogue conference. These are events that will be organized outside of the main conference program. Important! Side-events programs are subjects to change!
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Wednesday April 22
11.00-12.00:
Arctic Transportation Corridors: Governance, Resilience and Security of Supply
Radisson Blu (Meeting room 3)
Organized by: Nord University, Nordlab, Arctic Six Chair on Transportation Corridors (in collaboration with The Norwegian Public Roads Administration and Arctic Centre, University of Lapland)
Contact person: Professor Roberto Rivas Hermann (roberto.r.hermann@nord.no)
Language: English
This side event is organized by the Arctic Six Chair on Transportation Corridors at Nord University, in collaboration with Nordlab and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration.
The session examines how Arctic land transportation corridors in Northern Scandinavia are shaped by preparedness strategies, cross-border coordination challenges, and evolving governance frameworks. Using examples from Northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland — alongside comparative perspectives from Canada — the discussion explores how infrastructure prioritization, regional resilience, and indigenous rights intersect in the High North.
Bringing together perspectives from transport authorities and academic research in geography and law, the panel will address how national preparedness agendas influence infrastructure planning, where coordination gaps persist across borders, and how corridor development can maintain legitimacy while strengthening security of supply.
The session is structured as a moderated policy dialogue with short framing interventions followed by cross-panel discussion and audience engagement.
Moderator: Roberto Rivas Hermann (Professor, Nord University Business School, Nordlab, Arctic Six Chair on Transportation Corridors (Facilitator)
Speakers:
- Sturla Roti – Norwegian Public Roads Administration
- Nils Petter Rusånes – Norwegian Public Roads Administration
- Professor Frédéric Lasserre – Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Dr. Nadezhda Filimonova – Arctic Centre, University of Lapland
- Professor Kamrul Hossain – Arctic Centre, University of Lapland
Reaching Low Earth Orbit – what is next.
Solving European autonomy challenges with Arctic Space Innovation.
Radisson Blu (Meeting room 4)
Organized by: High North Center for Business and Governance, Nord University Business School, Norwegian Space Cluster and KPB
Convenors: Johannes Schmied-Wirén (High North Center for Business and Governance); Charlotte Lahnborg Alme, Anders Tørud, Erlend Bullvåg (Norwegian Space Cluster and KPB)
Language: English
We discuss which measures Arctic and European stakeholders should take to achieve the scale they seek—both for their own needs and for strengthening European autonomy. Among other topics, we address space infrastructure and collaborative approaches.
Description:
Space activities are expanding at high speed, and Europe is entering a decisive moment in which it must consolidate and strengthen its position in global space autonomy. The Arctic—particularly across the Nordic region—is emerging as a strategic hub for space-related innovation, infrastructure development, and geopolitical influence. The High North has become increasingly crucial due to the expanding range of satellite-based services it enables, from weather and sea‑ice forecasting to oil‑spill detection, climate monitoring, and the surveillance of fishing, shipping, and military activity.
Europe’s space sector is a fundamental pillar in the broader discussion on European strategic autonomy, especially as geopolitical competition intensifies. The landscape includes a diverse mix of actors—local entrepreneurs, national industry organisations, chambers of commerce, and several ESA branches—whose responsibilities sometimes overlap and occasionally compete. Added to this are national militaries and NATO, both of which play central roles in Europe’s space ecosystem. Most satellites are dual‑use, and many space companies rely on defence-related contracts to remain viable.
In recent years, several Nordic actors have grown substantially, with Andøya Space, KSAT and Space Norway standing out as prominent examples. Sustaining Europe’s momentum will require coordinated effort across all stakeholders: local and global companies, specialised labour, regional and national policymakers, international governance bodies, and researchers. The northern regions also face parallel priorities of their own, such as responding to demographic pressures, securing socioeconomic development, and ensuring comprehensive preparedness in an increasingly strategic environment.
Norway holds a distinctive position in this picture. As a non‑EU country deeply integrated into European regulatory and research frameworks through mechanisms such as the EEA Agreement, Norway participates in major parts of the European space ecosystem while maintaining limited formal influence over EU‑driven strategic decisions. This tension has become particularly visible in discussions around secure space programmes such as IRIS², where governance structures, security clearance requirements, and participation rules may become increasingly tied to EU membership.
Panelists:
- Jørgen Bikset, Special Adviser for Space & Defence Policy at Nordland County Council (NFK)
- Anton Bolstad, Department Manager, System Development at Space Norway
- Marta Lindvert, Head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Division at Nord University
- Hugo Moen, Director, Industrial Development and Innovation at the Norwegian Space Agency
- Eirik S. Sivertsen, Project Manager, Small Satellites at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
15.00-16.00:
Growing the North: Entrepreneurs, Angels and the Cross Border Ecosystem We Need
Radisson Blue (Meeting room 3)
Organized by: Nordland County Council, The Norwegian Barents Secretariat, NORA – Nordic Atlantic Cooperation
Contact person: Natalie Andersen, Adviser, The Norwegian Barents Secretariat (phone: +47 97611549/ E-mail: natalie@barents.no)
Language: English
How can the High North build a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem across small markets, few investors, and long distances?
This session brings together key actors from across the region – young entrepreneurs, angel investors, regional development organisations such as KUPA and ICE, and organisations that both promote regional development and provide funding, including NORA and the Norwegian Barents Secretariat.
Using concrete initiatives such as the North Atlantic Business Angels network and ICE’s youth entrepreneurship network, the panel discusses what different actors contribute to the ecosystem, and how cross-border cooperation can enable projects and opportunities that would not emerge in isolation.
Moderator: Halla Nolsøe Poulsen, NORA
- Kenneth Stålsett / Norwegian Barents Secretariat
- Tore Normann / KUPA
- Ondrej Spala / ICE Entrepreneurship Network and Sør-Varanger Utvikling
- Ketil Sundelin / BAN Arctic / NABAN
- Justine Vanhalst / Hringvarmi (Icelandic Startup)
How to make a High North Career attractive for the Next Generation
Radisson Blue (Meeting room 4)
Organized by: Barents Regional Youth Council (BRYC)
Contact person: Ole Martin Melbøe Nygård (olemartinmn@gmail.com)
Language: English
More than 50% of young people in North Norway doubt the availability of job opportunities in their home areas, while businesses simultaneously report a significant shortage of skilled labour. In other parts of the High North, the challenge is reversed—local youth are seeking opportunities that are not available. This side event explores how employers, policymakers, and communities can work together to create more attractive and accessible career pathways for young people across the region.
Panelists representing youth, education, employers, and policymakers will share concrete initiatives they are working on, followed by a discussion on what works, the barriers that remain, and how successful efforts can be scaled across High North communities. The session will conclude with an audience Q&A and a brief summary of key takeaways, including 3–5 actionable steps.
Moderator: Ole Martin Melbøe Nygård
Speakers:
- Glenn Berggård; Norrbotn County
- Aina Nilsen; Nordland County Council
- NHO Arktis/Bodø Næringsforedning (TBA)
- Nord Universitet (TBA)
- Stina Irene Malin Olsen; Nordland Youth County Council
16.30-17.30:
The significance of culture for youth to settle, live and thrive in the High North
Radisson Blue (Main Conference Hall)
Organized by: Barents Regional Youth Council (BRYC)
Contact person: Ole Martin Melbøe Nygård (olemartinmn@gmail.com)
Language: English
Young people’s decisions to stay in, return to, or move to the High North are shaped by more than education and job opportunities. Cultural life, social meeting places, and opportunities to participate in local communities are essential for well-being, belonging, and long-term settlement. This side event explores how culture—through arts, music, festivals, sports, youth-driven initiatives, and Indigenous cultural expression—can strengthen the attractiveness of High North communities and support youth thriving.
Panelists representing youth, cultural actors, decision-makers, and Indigenous perspectives will share concrete initiatives they are working on, followed by a discussion on what works, the barriers that remain, and how successful efforts can be scaled across communities in the High North. The session will conclude with an audience Q&A and a brief summary of key takeaways, including 3–5 actionable steps.
Moderator: Ole Martin Melbøe Nygård
Speakers:
- Henrik S. Dagfinrud; Managing Director; Bodø2024 Legacy
- Brynjar Saus; Managing Director; True North – Tromsø as European Capitol of Youth 2025
- Vesa Orassalo; indigenous youth from Lapland, Finland
- Ole Nygård Haugen; Nordland Youth County Council
- Anette Amalie Åbodsvik Bang; Barents Regions Youth Council
Cooperation in Norwegian ocean industries – a status report on coexistence
Radisson Blue (Meeting room 3)
Organized by: Centre for the Ocean the Arctic (Senter for hav og Arktis)
Contact person: Nikolai Enok Anfeltmo (nikolai.e.anfeltmo@uit.no)
Language: English
This side event marks the launch of the Centre for the Ocean and the Arctic’s new report – “Samarbeid i norske havnæringer” (Cooperation in Norwegian ocean industries). The report explores cooperation, trust and conflict between ocean-based industries is understood and the state of coexistence in Norwegian oceans.
The report launch will involve a presentation of key findings and gather contributors to the report from coastal fisheries, oil and gas, tourism and academia to talk on stage about their views on the report and the state of coexistence in Norwegian ocean industries.
Speakers:
- Hanna Arctander – Norges Kystfiskarlag
- Knut Harald Nygård – Equinor
- Stine Haldorsen – Din Tur AS
- Daniel Jensen – The Norwegian College of Fishery Science, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
- Sigri Stokke Nilsen – Centre for the Ocean and the Arcitc, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Nikolai Enok Anfeltmo – Centre for the Ocean and the Arctic, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Speed Dating: Problem Presenters and Problem Solvers
Radisson Blue (Meeting room 4)
Organized by: The Arctic Institute, the North American Arctic Defence and Security Network (NAADSN), and the University of Konstanz
Contact person: Dr. Gabriella Gricius (gabriella.gricius@thearcticinstitute.org)
Language: English
This side event introduces interactive “speed dating” format designed to connect concrete policy and governance challenges in the High North. Participants will pre-register either as Problem Presenters or Problem Solvers. Problem Presenters will briefly outline a specific challenge they are grappling with – from Arctic security to critical infrastructure to business resilience, climate governance or youth engagement – just to name a few. Problem Solvers will include participants who want to offer perspectives, ideas, methodological tools or collaborative pathways to solving challenges in the High North. To sign up, participants will respond to an open-response Google Quiz to be distributed to participants before the conference.
Through a series of short-structured exchanges, presenters and solvers will rotate and engage in focused conversations aimed at generating ideas and getting the conversation going. The goal is to lower barriers to participation, encourage cross-sector dialogue and foster unexpected connections in a more relaxed setting. The session will also seed future collaborations, research questions, and policy relevant insights that will be encouraged to be developed across the conference.
Format:
The session will use a moderated speed-dating format. Participants pre-sign up as either Problem Presenters or Problem Solvers. Each round will consist of a 5–7-minute conversation with prompts provided to participants to get conversation started. Problem Presenters will be stationary while Problem Solvers will rotate to the next table or partner. The moderator will keep time. The session will conclude with a short plenary reflection to share emerging themes and potential follow-ups.
To sign up for the side event, please find a short survey to register as a Problem Solver or Problem Presenter and offer some initial ideas of what you want to bring to the discussion https://forms.gle/t3CwYe3vf2FWmHAy6
Moderator: Dr. Gabriella Gricius
More details coming.
Thursday April 23
10.30-11.30:
Ask me anything – How to get funding in the North
Radisson Blue (Main Conference Hall)
Organized by: Nordland County Council, The Norwegian Barents Secretariat, NORA – Nordic Atlantic Cooperation
Contact person: Eilen Zakariassen, Special Adviser, Nordland County Council (eilzak@nfk.no)
Language: English
The High North is undergoing rapid change, and cross-border cooperation is becoming increasingly important for sustainable development, innovation and community resilience. At the same time, navigating the landscape of international funding programmes can be challenging for organisations, municipalities, researchers, and businesses who wish to collaborate across Nordic and Arctic borders.
This side event brings together five major funding instruments with long-standing relevance for the northern regions. This event aims to demystify funding, strengthen cross-border networks, and give participants concrete tools to move from ideas to applications — contributing to stronger regional development and cooperation in the High North.
Moderator: Eilen Zakariassen, Nordland County Council (confirmed)
Speakers:
- NORA (Nordic Arctic Cooperation): Jakup Sørensen (confirmed)
- Nordic Arctic Programme: Anne-Katrine Brandt Olsen (confirmed)
- The Norwegian Barents Secretariat: Kenneth Stålsett (confirmed)
- Interreg Aurora: Øystein Andresen (confirmed)
- Interreg Nordic Periphery and Arctic: Kirsti Mijnhijmer (confirmed)
Community resilience in the Arctic: practical applications
Radisson Blue (Meeting room 3)
Organized by: The Arctic Initiative, Harvard Belfer Center, the Arctic Mayors’ Forum, and the High North Center
Contact person: Maja Wolland Blomberg (maja.w.blomberg@nord.no)
Language: English
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Jennifer Spence (moderator), Director, Arctic Initiative
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Ole Kristian Bjerkemo, EPPR Chair
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Patti Bruns, SG, Arctic Mayors’ Forum
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Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen, Mayor, Bodø
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Maja Wolland Blomberg, PhD candidate, High North Center
Exceptional Arctic circumstances: Exploring the ATOMEX game
Radisson Blue (Meeting room 4)
Organized by: Laurea University of Applied Sciences (Finland) and Nord University, Center for Crisis Management and Collaboration/NORDLAB (Norway)
Contact person: Natalia Andreassen (natalia.andreassen@nord.no)
Language: English
Explore a unique part of the Arctic risk landscape! You’ll get a hands-on demo of a new learning game designed to boost understanding of nuclear emergency preparedness and response in the maritime Arctic. Participants are invited to try the app and explore realistic scenarios drawn from the current threat environment. We’re especially eager to hear what students think—your feedback helps shape our educational tools. And, yes, we promise to pull you into the fascinating world of nuclear safety in the Arctic.
This game app is being developed within the project ATOMEX: Collaboration Complexity in Nuclear Emergency Preparedness in the Maritime Arctic, funded by the Research Council of Norway. As part of ATOMEX’s work on Arctic risk evaluation, the app is a learning tool for introducing players to key concepts related to conducting search and rescue operations during radiological and nuclear emergencies. The scenarios will help players understand roles, responsibilities, and response patterns during incidents. The app development is led by Laurea University of Applied Sciences, building on its extensive experience with exercise evaluation, emergency response operations and risk communication.
Speakers:
- Markus Ottosen, Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority
- Asko Mononen, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Finland
- Annaleena Sevillano, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Finland
- Natalia Andreassen, Nord University, Business School, Center for Crisis Management and Collaboration – Nordlab
- Rune Elvegård, Nord University, Business School, Center for Crisis Management and Collaboration – Nordlab
- Hanne Austerheim, Nord University, Business School, Center for Crisis Management and Collaboration- Nordlab
- Emelie Johansen Wold, Nord University, Business School, Center for Crisis Management and Collaboration – Nordlab
15.15-16.30:
North Calotte Council: The Green Industrial Transition in the Nordic North
Radisson Blue (Main Conference Hall)
Organized by: The North Calotte Council
Contact person: Lisa Lundgren, Secretary General, North Calotte Council (lisa.lundgren@norrbotten.se)
Language: English
The North Calotte region, stretching from Nordland, Troms and Finnmark in Norway, across Norrbotten in Sweden, to Lapland in Finland have a long-term collaboration under the North Calotte Council dating back to 1967.
Our aim with this panel is to discuss both the momentum and the fragility of this transition — to see the opportunities, but also the bottlenecks that could slow or derail them.
This panel brings together national and regional perspectives to examine the policy instruments, governance arrangements, and institutional capacities required to address this challenge.
In the panel we will discuss topics such as:
- Snapshots of the current situation from the North Calotte regions including bottlenecks and hindrances from a regional perspective
- Balanced models of risk sharing – the scale of private investment requires public co-investment — in grids, housing, and social services — to anchor projects and mitigate systemic risk. Are there models from local and regional level that could become national or even Nordic “best practices” to set a new standard?
- How can multi-level governance frameworks be designed to ensure that the green industrial transition in the Nordic north is not only rapid and large-scale, but also economically viable, socially equitable, and territorially balanced?
A light reception and mingle will follow the session.
Moderator:Lisa Lundgren, Secretary General, North Calotte Council
Speakers:
- • Glenn Berggård, Vice Chair of the Regional Executive Board, Region Norrbotten and Chairman, North Calotte Council
• Kjell Giæver, General Manager, Arctic Energy Partners and Chairman of the board – Energi i Nord
• Birgitta Larsson, Mayor of Gällivare, Sweden
• Jonas Lundström, National Industry Coordinator, Acceleration Office at the Ministry of Climate and Enterprise, Swedish government
• Merete Nordheim, CEO, Bodö Business Forum
From Resource Frontiers to Rights-Based Futures: Indigenous Youth, Business, and Governance in the High North
Radisson Blue (Meeting room 3)
Organized by: O’KANATA
Contact person: Justin R. Langan, Founder & Executive Director, O’KANATA (Justinrlangan@gmail.com)
Language: English
The High North is increasingly positioned as a strategic economic and geopolitical frontier, yet Indigenous and local youth voices remain underrepresented in decisions shaping Arctic development, investment, and governance. This side event will explore how Indigenous youth leadership and rights-based approaches can strengthen sustainable business practices, long-term economic resilience, and social legitimacy in the European High North.
Drawing on experiences from Arctic and sub-Arctic regions across the Nordics, Canada, and beyond, the session will examine how youth-led and Indigenous-led initiatives are reshaping models of resource development, infrastructure planning, digital innovation, and environmental stewardship. Attention will be given to the role of businesses, investors, and policymakers in moving beyond extractive models toward partnerships grounded in consent, reciprocity, and shared value creation.
The discussion will highlight practical pathways for collaboration between Indigenous communities, youth leaders, and the private sector, demonstrating how inclusive governance and Indigenous knowledge systems can reduce conflict, improve project outcomes, and support economic diversification in northern regions. The session aims to contribute concrete insights for decision-makers and businesses operating in the High North, while centring youth as active contributors to future-oriented solutions rather than passive stakeholders.
Moderator: Justin R. Langan, Founder & Executive Director, O’KANATA
Speakers:
- Justin R. Langan – Founder & Executive Director, O’KANATA (Canada)
- Indigenous youth leader from the European High North (Norway/Finland/Sweden) – tbc
- Representative from a Nordic business or industry actor operating in the High North – tbc
- Academic or policy expert on Arctic governance and Indigenous rights – tbc
Nordic–Arctic collaboration on international materials governance
Radisson Blue (Meeting room 4)
Organized by: Chatham House, Fridtjof Nansen Institute and Nordic Circular Hotspot
Contact person: Dr. Patrick Schröder, Senior Research Fellow Environment and Society Centre (pschroeder@chathamhouse.org)
Language: English
Geopolitical tensions intensified in 2026 and securing access to critical minerals has become a key source of competition among major powers in the Arctic. Greenland has been in the spotlight of international attention when President Trump renewed his interest in purchasing Greenland in early 2026.
Co-convened by Nordic Circular Hotspot, Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI) and Chatham House, this side event will advance Nordic–Arctic collaboration on international materials governance. Global demand for critical minerals is accelerating, yet governance remains fragmented across extraction, trade, processing and end-of-life—creating risks of environmental harm, inequality and geopolitical escalation. Building on lessons from the Nordic Circular Summit in Nuuk in November 2025, the FNI-led project Critical minerals in the Arctic: Challenges and perspectives for the Nordic countries (CRIMINA), and Chatham Houseʼs work on materials governance, the session explores how Nordic and North Atlantic Arctic actors can shape emerging international governance architectures (including proposals such as an International Materials Agency) while embedding circular economy principles, environmental concerns, Indigenous rights at the core of emerging governance frameworks.
Moderator: Dr. Patrick Schröder, Chatham House & Cathrine Barth, Nordic Circular Hotspot
Speakers:
- Patrick Schröder, Senior Research Fellow, Chatham House, UK,
- Iselin Stensdal, Senior Researcher, Fridtjof Nansen Institute, Norway
- Gorm Vold, Chief Consultant, Nalik Ventures, Greenland
- Cathrine Barth, Head of Circular Economy strategy, Natural State & Nordic Circular Hotspot, Norway
- Malene Vahl Rasmussen, Mayor of Kommune Kujalleq South Greenland and Member of the Inatsisartut