First meeting of potential network on Arctic migration

Education of immigrant youth and the role of inclusive education for hindering the risk of marginalisation were discussed as important issues during the workshop. The influence of mass media can play a substantial role in the integration of immigrants and has been identified as an imperative research topic accordingly.

Arctic countries clearly wish to increase the number of immigrants, in line with their labour demands and demographic challenges. Thus, there is a need for increased cooperation within the Arctic countries on immigration issues, including economic integration of migrants for utilising the natural resources of Arctic properly. The workshop encompassed also a debate on the recent influx of asylum seekers across the whole Europe, which causes crisis and controversy among locals. Furthermore, cognitive migration was also highlighted equally as a significant research topic for the Arctic.

At this stage, the University of Lapland, the University of Akureyri, Nordregio and Stockholm University are the potential partners of this planned UArctic Thematic Network.