EPRC Seminar: The Arctic Games : Scotland as Spectator or Participant?

On 5 September, EPRC hosted a seminar by Frank Gaskell from Liaison Integritas. Frank's presentation focussed on the rapidly changing status of the Arctic, as the icecap recedes and opens up navigation, mineral and hydro-carbon prospects of geo-strategic significance. The presentation considered the need for strategic cooperation and partnership within the region. Lying within the 'Circumpolar North', the Northern Periphery (NPP) INTERREG programme was highlighted as having a potentially key role in engaging with Arctic development issues. The NPP has successfully provided a transnational platform for partners to address declining population, economic centralisation, ageing and accessibility. Now faced with the numerous effects of climate change in the Arctic, the Programme could grow to meet these challenges. The presentation concluded that, as an active partner in the NPP and with the scope to benefit from evolving Arctic links, Scotland has a valuable opportunity to further enhance its ties with the High North and, in turn, make development gains from the changing structures of opportunity across the area.