Presenters and Panel Announced for Svalbard in a Changing World
Svalbard in a Changing World: Security, Sovereignty and
Rising Tensions
Panel discussion as part of Svalbard Day, Oslo | Thursday 5 March
Artica Svalbard invites you to an open and topical conversation in Oslo on Thursday, March 5. Bringing together researchers, journalists and other key players to discuss how we can understand the impact of major geopolitical changes on Svalbard in light of Norwegian sovereignty – while at the same time remaining open, inclusive and following the international obligations.
The militarisation of the Arctic, security challenges and changes in the global balance of power are leading to increasing tension in the North, and Svalbard is more relevant than ever. What does this mean for Norwegian politics, security and cooperation in the Arctic? How can we balance national interests with international agreements while developing local communities and family societies in Svalbard?
Opening perspectives: setting the frame for the conversation
We are very pleased to begin the evening with two short opening presentations that set the scene and offer distinct perspectives on the Arctic today:
Børge Ousland, polar researcher and expedition leader
A reflection on the Arctic as a living space — where climate change and human endurance meet landscapes that do not negotiate, but reveal the consequences of governance, absence and political choice.Kari Aga Myklebost, Professor, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
An introduction to Norwegian–Russian relations and security policy in the Arctic.
Panel discussion
The panel discussion will be moderated by Amund Trellevik, an experienced journalist based in Tromsø and member of the international investigative collective Investigate Europe. Trellevik has over 15 years of experience reporting from Russia and the former Soviet states, and currently serves as Chair of Barents Press Norway and board member of Norwegian PEN.
Panellists
Following the presentations, the speakers will join a panel of other leading experts for an in-depth discussion:
Line Nagell Ylvisåker
Editor of Svalbardposten. Ylvisåker has worked as a journalist, author and editor on Svalbard for over 20 years. She is the author of My World Is Melting – Living with Climate Change on Svalbard and The Different Country – Small Lives in Great Power Politics, which explores, among other themes, relations with the Russian settlement of Barentsburg.Grete K. Hovelsrud
Professor Emerita in environmental sociology at Nordlandsforskning and Nord University. A polar researcher, climate scientist and anthropologist, Hovelsrud has worked in Arctic regions since 1981. Her research focuses on how Arctic communities are affected by and adapt to climate change in the context of shifting governance, policy and tourism. She is currently working on adaptation to thawing permafrost in Longyearbyen and on developing new permafrost warning systems in collaboration with local communities. In 2018, she became the first female president of the Norwegian Academy of Polar Research.Tone Sofie Aglen
Political commentator at NRK. Trained as a political scientist at NTNU, Aglen has previously worked at VG and Adresseavisen. In recent years, she has focused extensively on Arctic and High North policy, including developments related to Svalbard and Greenland.
Practical information
Location: Litteraturhuset, Oslo
When: Thursday 5 March, 18:00–20:00
Language: Norwegian
(A recording with English subtitles will be published on the Artica Svalbard website shortly after the event)
Admission: Open to all, no registration required
Target audience: Policymakers, researchers, business representatives, journalists — and anyone with an interest in the Arctic and Norwegian security policy.
Join us for an informed and necessary conversation about the future of Svalbard — and Norway’s role in the North.
