A Youth Perspective on Life and Representation in Svalbard: Third Essay in Artica Writings Series Now Available

Photo: Ángel Valiente

We’re pleased to share the third essay in the Artica Writings series — this time centering the voice of Mia Ekeblad, a lifelong resident of Longyearbyen and current leader of the town’s Youth Council.

In a wide-ranging and thoughtful interview with journalist Elida Høeg, Mia reflects on identity, belonging, and the uncertainty facing young people in Svalbard today. Though she holds both Norwegian and Swedish citizenship, she considers neither country home: “I feel just as little connection to Norway as I do to most other countries…”

As a community leader, Mia speaks with clarity about the impact of recent policy shifts — particularly the removal of voting rights for non-Norwegian residents — and how these changes threaten the diverse and open community she grew up in.

The essay also touches on mental health challenges during the dark season, and the Youth Council’s successful push to have Svalbard’s lack of professional psychological support acknowledged in the latest government policy report.

This piece adds a powerful youth perspective to the ongoing Artica Writings series, which focuses on the lives and experiences of Svalbard’s international residents. Unlike most Arctic regions, Svalbard has no Indigenous population — its 2,500 inhabitants represent over 50 countries, making it a truly global community at the top of the world.

The interview with Mia was conducted in late 2024, and her insights remain deeply relevant to ongoing debates about identity, inclusion, and the future of life in Svalbard.

👉 Read the full essay here: www.articasvalbard.no/artica-writings-2024/mia-ekeblad