The IPF recently became an Associate Member of the University of the Arctic. IPF Executive Director Thierry Touchais participated in the celebrations for the 10th Anniversary of the University of the Arctic on June 8th at the University of Lapland in Rovaniemi, Finland.

The 10th anniversary event, which took place during the University of the Arctic’s 14th Council Meeting, was marked by a special seminar organized at the University of Lapland on Green Growth in opportunities in the Arctic. Keynote speakers at the event included Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson (President of Iceland), Hannele Pokka (Permanent Secretary of Finland’s Ministry of the Environment), Gustaf Lind (Sweden’s Arctic Ambassador), and J. Okalik Eegeesiak (President of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association). The anniversary event concluded with a gala dinner to honour the the achievements of the University of the Arctic, its programmes, and its members.

During the event, the IPF was welcomed as an Associate Member along with a number of other partners. This is the first time the University of the Arctic has accepted members under this special new status.

Ten years ago, the University of the Arctic was officially created with the support of regional institutions and governments, and, importantly, Arctic indigenous peoples. Since then, its importance as an international actor has been demonstrated in the role it played in the recent International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008, helping to coordinate the education and outreach activities resulting from the IPY’s international scientific research projects.

Over the course of the past ten years, the University of the Arctic has managed to create an empowered and sustainable North through education and partnerships and has grown to meet additional needs and serve more areas of the Circumpolar North through its important alliances and expanding programs. The IPF is very proud to be part of this ongoing vision.