This conference will take stock of the accomplishments, challenges and future prospects of the Arctic Council. With a particular focus on international legal aspects and political issues, academic experts and stakeholders will explore whether the Council has lived up to its commitment to the well-being of the inhabitants of the Arctic, the protection of the Arctic environment and sustainable development and whether it is ready to oversee and coordinate the consequences of climate change for Arctic both when it comes to its people, wildlife, resources and security.

The discussions will be organized in four panels addressing different aspects of the Arctic Council’s role and future. The conference will bring together Danish, Greenlandic and international researchers, government officials, policy makers and civil society. We invite abstracts to address any of the following four topics which each will form the background for one conference panel:

  1. The Arctic Council as soft law creation and creator: softly sledding towards solutions or disaster? What is the role of international law and
    enforcement of international law in the Arctic? What pressing needs continue to exist now that there will be no overall Arctic treaty?

  2. The Arctic Council and the Arctic Ocean: heading for disaster or a bright and sustainable future? Do we need another Ilulissat Declaration or more law to address the Arctic challenges?

  3. The Arctic Council as facilitator of Arctic cooperation: has it improved relations between Arctic states and non-state actors? Are the principles for membership still relevant and viable? And should the Council begin to play a role in security matters?

  4. Arctic indigenous peoples and their role in the Arctic Council: do Permanent Participants have a special place or a real impact? Looking back at the Ottawa Declaration – what are the lessons learnt and the challenges ahead?

Abstracts must be sent to Martin Mennecke (AC20conference@sam.sdu.dk) no later than 6 June 2016. The authors of successful abstracts will be contacted by the end of June and required to submit their paper of max. 8,000 words, footnotes included, by 26 September 2016. A selection of conference papers will be published in an edited volume or a special journal issue.

For more information, see the full call.