Intern's greetings from the Arctic Youth Conference 2025

Greetings from Tromsø,

My name is Emma Karjalainen, and I am doing an internship in the CAP-SHARE project. I am studying for a Master's degree in Sustainability Education at the University of Lapland, and I also have a background in forestry engineering. I had the opportunity to attend the Arctic Youth Conference, which took place from January 24-26, organized by Norway’s Chairmanship of the Arctic Council. The purpose of the conference was to create networking and meeting spaces for young people to build a sustainable future. The theme of the conference was youth leadership in the Arctic region, the preservation of Indigenous knowledge, sharing of knowledge by young researchers, preparedness, resilience and mental health. Panel discussions, workshops and networking aimed to support the multidimensional inclusion of young people in decision-making processes.

​​The weekend was inspiring, full of new experiences and interesting encounters. For example, a topical local story from Yellowknife, Canada, stirred many emotions. Locals are evacuated every year due to large wildfires, and there are significant changes in weather conditions that also affect water levels in various ways. Additionally, certain species have disappeared. These changes have already had a direct impact on the mental health of young people, as reflected, for example, in an increase in crime. Various organizations and institutions have been working to
strengthen young people's relationship with nature and to develop safety skills. One of these organizations is Arctic Youth Leadership, which implements land-based learning methods through camps in Canada. Being in nature has been shown to have positive effects on young people's health and well-being, which should be promoted worldwide.
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​The need to strengthen resilience and prepare young people for challenges in the Arctic region was raised in many different contexts. Indigenous peoples in the Arctic are particularly vulnerable to changes in living conditions and face significant challenges in areas such as hunting and fishing. Centuries-old traditions and accumulated knowledge are at risk of being lost due to changing living conditions, and global economic development does not ensure the livelihoods of these peoples and communities. Therefore, food security should be guaranteed for the peoples of the Arctic regions, regardless of community size, and more active involvement of Indigenous youth in these regions is necessary. Young people need guidance and mentoring, training and space for influence both locally and globally. Indigenous youth already have language skills and cultural knowledge, which can be used to preserve and share their unique knowledge with future generations.

​In general, young people need more mentoring, internships and opportunities for dialogue with various stakeholders. The Arctic region needs intergenerational, cross-cultural and cross-stakeholder interactions to ensure that the perspectives of all communities are considered in decision-making. The Arctic Youth Conference was an excellent example of what young people can achieve together for the good of the future.


Best regards,
Emma Karjalainen
[email protected]