The University of the Arctic v rectors’ forum 2011

• 29.03.2011
• 2561

From 23 till 24.03 the delegation from MSHU consisting of the rector Andrei Sergeev and head of international office Mikhail Smirnyakov participated in the University of the Arctic (UArctic) V Rectors’ forum which took place in Kautokeino (Norway).

The main outcome of the forum was adoption of the declaration «Indigenous and non-indigenous societies in the North: challenges for research and education within UArctic». The document encourages UArctic members to make every effort to develop the capacity of indigenous peoples by:

• developing of education and research for the benefit of these peoples;
• considering their traditional knowledge;
• using indigenous peoples’ languages when implementing educational programs;
• including history, philosophy and culture of these peoples into the disciplines studied by all students;
• researching indigenous peoples’ rights.

In the opinion of the Forum participants, cooperation of national, regional and international organizations with organizations that represent interests of indigenous peoples is one of the most important factors of sustainable development of Arctic regions.

Besides, the participants of this event supported the declaration of UArctic II students’ forum. This document contains a number of initiatives aimed at further development of the UArctic work, in particular: creation of students’ association within the UArctic, improvement of the web-site, development of distant forms of education, creation of the common scientific database and many other ideas.

During the forum meetings took place of the MSHU rector Andrei Sergeev with the UArctic administration and rectors of several universities of Norway and Finland. Perspectives and various aspects of cooperation were discussed at these meetings. The president of the UArctic — Lars Kullerud — expressed his intention to visit our university this autumn.