What makes the North American Arctic unique? In many ways, it is the remoteness and sparsity of the region that gives it its character: cultural integrity has been preserved, much of the land remains untouched, and political self-determination has been maintained. But its remoteness also gives rise to extreme economic challenges. Communities that are remote and off-grid face affordability and accessibility challenges that those in southern and urban areas do not. In particular, transportation, energy and connectivity are more difficult, and therefore more expensive, in the Arctic, with dramatic consequences for development. This affects not only the social well-being of Arctic residents, many of whom struggle with high cost food and housing, and limited access to health services, education and employment. It also affects the competitiveness of economic and resource development, and the ability to exercise the defense and security of the region.
Please join the Wilson Center for a discussion about the nature of remoteness, the opportunities and barriers to various solutions in the Arctic, and assess various public and private financing mechanisms to bring them to life.
Speakers
Heather Exner-Pirot
Fellow; Senior Fellow, Macdonald-Laurier Institute, Canada
Jessica M. Shadian, Ph.D.
President and CEO, Arctic360
Madeleine Redfern, LL.B.
Chief Operating Officer, CanArctic Inuit Networks
Moderator
Jack Durkee
Program Associate, Polar Institute // Manager, Arctic Infrastructure Inventory