Analysis of Arctic Council Communications and Outreach.

Abstract

"Global interest in the Arctic has increased dramatically. Governments, multilateral and non- governmental organizations, media and the general public are concerned about the changes affecting the region, and want to learn more. The Arctic Council (AC) is the premier intergovernmental forum for circumpolar issues affecting the Arctic. The additional interest in the Arctic is in part due to the work of the AC, and yet this body has a limited international profile. The AC is actively addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the Arctic, but there is a sense among the AC communication and outreach contact group participants that information concerning initiatives and successes is not reaching a wider audience, and that the AC is not as well known as it should be. At the 2009 Tromsø Declaration Arctic Council, Ministers: “Decide[d] to develop guidelines for engagement in outreach activities and an Arctic Council communication and outreach plan based on common priorities.” At the November 2009 Senior Arctic Officials (SAO) Meeting, the Danish Chairmanship raised the need to respond to the increasing demand for streamlined messaging by the Arctic Council, to be present at international meetings and other important events where the Arctic is being discussed, and to further develop the AC website. The Chair proposed that a contact group of representatives from interested Member States, Permanent Participants (PPs), Working Groups and the AC Secretariat. The contact group would work virtually to develop communication guidelines and make recommendations for an AC communications and outreach plan. SAOs agreed to start an intercessional process and to create a contact group for communications and outreach. Canada was asked to lead this contact group." /.../