ISER Lunchtime Talk: 'Economic Development in the Norwegian Arctic,' Feb. 21

Friday, Feb. 21, 12-1 p.m. Diplomacy Building, Fifth Floor, Conference Room; and via electronic broadcast*

The Barents region is a sprawling area of international cooperation that includes the northernmost parts of Sweden, Norway and Finland, as well as Northwest Russia. It was created under an agreement among those countries in the early 1990s. The Norwegian Barents Secretariat-in Kirkenes, Norway-is supported by the Norwegian government. It promotes cooperation among Barents member countries generally, but concentrates on supporting bilateral cooperation between Norway and Russia.

Thomas Nilsen is the editor of BarentsObserver.com, an online public affairs and news site operated by the Norwegian Barents Secretariat. He will be in Alaska to discuss economic and other implications of Arctic development. At this Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) talk, Nilsen will discuss a range of topics, including: Arctic oil and gas drilling in Norwegian waters; transportation of oil in Norwegian and Russian Arctic waters; potential routes across the Arctic as sea ice melts; and the Norwegian government's High North policies and strategies for promoting economic and social development in the Arctic.

Thomas Nilsen has been with the Norwegian Barents Secretariat since 2003. Before that, he worked for the Bellona Foundation's Russian study group, looking at environmental challenges of development in the Arctic. He also lectures on security and socio-economic development issues in the Barents region.

The Diplomacy Building is located at 4500 Diplomacy Drive, at the corner of Tudor Road and Tudor Centre Drive. Parking is always free. Call (907) 786-7710 if you need directions.

*Those unable to attend in person can join us remotely over the web or call (907) 786-6755, Conference ID: 475905. A recording of the talk will also be posted on the ISER website (iser.uaa.alaska.edu).