The Sharing Circle will take place in Sevettijärvi and Inari, Northern Finland, from October 2-6, 2023. Applications must be submitted by 10 April 2023 23:59 GMT.

You can apply for the APECS & Arctic PASSION Sharing Circle through this link.

Having grown up in a world of global challenges, Arctic youth and early career professionals have agency in creating positive change for the future. The Arctic will benefit from a close dialogue between Arctic youth and young professionals working in the Arctic arena. The APECS & Arctic PASSION Sharing Circle will foster this dialogue through a week-long program in Northern Finland.

At a glance

    • Dates: 2-6 October 2023. The program will start Monday morning, 2 October 2023, and will end Friday, 6 October 2023.
    • Start: Sevettijärvi, Northern Finland
    • End: Inari, Northern Finland
    • Cost for participants: Travel costs to and from Northern Finland
    • Included: Food and accommodation will be provided by the organizers.
    • Application Deadline: 10 April 2023 23:59 GMT
    • Language: English
    • Program: Program will be filled with group discussions, presentations, outdoor activities and excursions and accompanied by mandatory online events.
    • Goal: Participants will gain a better understanding of the Arctic and its people, the intercultural and transdisciplinary complexity of the Arctic, and the value of sharing experiences and knowledge in collaborations. Learnings and experiences from the Sharing Circle will help participants to build a frame for working towards equitable and genuine collaborations and a sustainable Arctic future.

Participants of the Sharing Circle will gain valuable insights into different cultures and the heritage of the Arctic. They will discuss how intercultural and transdisciplinary cooperation can function better, and what types of environmental data and maps are needed for a better understanding of Arctic environmental change. Participants will discuss how the Arctic environment and societies are intertwined, and have the opportunity to present the challenges of their own local Arctic communities. With the Sharing Circle we provide a platform for exchange between Indigenous and local rights holders, Arctic youth, Arctic research experts and early career professionals working with Arctic topics, leading to a better understanding across the region. The connections that will be made among participants, who have diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, will form the basis for equitable and genuine collaborations in the future. Of special interest will be field visits to Indigenous-led ecological restoration sites, such as rivers and lake restoration.

After the Sharing Circle, participants will serve as Arctic PASSION Ambassadors for one year and will develop their own outreach project to pass on their learnings to their communities, institutes or other chosen audiences.

By attending the Sharing Circle, participants will:

    • gain new perspectives on Arctic issues and Arctic collaborations.
    • be empowered to establish meaningful collaborations across sectors and cultures.
    • have a better understanding about life in the Arctic and the intercultural and transdisciplinary complexity of the Arctic.
    • contribute to the development of services for the Arctic, making them more user-friendly and application-driven.
    • learn about the approach of “capacity sharing” and its valuable contribution to research processes as well as best practices in engaging with Arctic rights holders and stakeholders.
    • learn how to create safe spaces for collaboration and exchange, leading to more equitable research outcomes and better science. This two-way, multi-directional exchange is developed on the basis of reciprocity, communication and collaboration.
    • gain a new network.
    • develop their future paths by incorporating their learnings and experiences.

There will be no registration fee for the Sharing Circle. The only costs participants will have to cover themselves are travel costs to and from Northern Finland. Should travel support become available, the organizers will notify the participants, but this additional support cannot be guaranteed. Food and accommodation will be provided.