Who Will Stay in the Arctic

The Chilingarov International Forum The Arctic: Present and Future in St. Petersburg. Source: Association of Polar Explorers (ASPOL)

What needs to change for young people to choose the Arctic for their studies, careers, and lives? Perhaps the answers should be sought in dialogue with them. These questions will take center stage in the thematic track People of the Arctic: Enlightenment, Education, and Professions and will be further explored on the agenda of the Arctic, Wait for Me! Youth Forum. These questions will be raised during the XVI A. N. Chilingarov International Forum The Arctic: Present and Future, which convenes in St. Petersburg on December 10–11.

The session Who to Train and Why: Education for Real-World Arctic Challenges will examine the professions and qualifications that the Arctic will require in the coming years. Investment plans from companies and regions must be translated into forecasts of personnel needs, ensuring that colleges and universities understand whom to train and where these specialists will be in demand. The discussion will also cover how to integrate career guidance, education, and initial employment into a clear, coherent path.

However, training a specialist is not enough; they must also be persuaded to stay. A session held in collaboration with young people, titled A Magnet for the North: Human Capital and a New Quality of Life in the Arctic, will look beyond mere salaries and “northern” bonuses. The urban environment and quality of life are also vital HR tools—housing, connectivity, social infrastructure, and opportunities for families all play a significant role. This is especially relevant given the long-term development plans for 15 key Arctic settlements and urban agglomerations through 2035: simply building or renovating cities is not enough if they do not become places where people feel empowered to plan their future.

The session The Arctic Voice: How Indigenous Peoples Are Becoming Co-Creators of a New Arctic will address the quality of life within indigenous communities, the participation of Indigenous Peoples in regional development, the creation of local markets, and the emergence of new professions. The agenda also addresses issues of the digital age: how technology can help preserve languages, and who owns the data and digital products created based on the cultures of Indigenous peoples.

The outcome of this collaborative effort will be a set of concrete proposals designed to make the Arctic an intentional choice for living and building a career. Join the discussion on December 10–11 in Saint Petersburg.

Source: Association of Polar Explorers (ASPOL)