Program at a Glance

An overview diagram of the 2017 Council Meeting program is available for download HERE. Full program and event details are provided in the Program-Agenda sent to all participants. 

August 12 - 14

Pre-Council Sisimiut Excursion 

Prior to the start of the Council meeting, an optional excursion to the town of Sisimiut is planned from August 12 to 14. Hosted by the Arctic Technology Centre (ARTEK) -Technical University of Denmark, the excursion will include the choice of optional thematic workshops on science or a cultural excursion and hike, as well as local / historical visits, and social activity for all. Afterwards, participants can travel to Nuuk either by plane or by passenger ship that will depart on Monday (11:00 AM) and arrival early on Tuesday (7:30 AM). Visit the Pre-Council Sisimiut Excursion webpage for full program details, costs, transportation and accommodation options.

 

August 14

Pre-Council Side-meetings & Public Panel Discussion

12:00 – 15:00       Council Registrations and Information desk Open (at hotel)

15:00 - 18:00       UArctic Side-Meetings at Hotel Hans Egede    

Circumpolar Studies: Open to all interested, this meeting will include a review of the Circumpolar Studies Program, current offerings, and discussion on the future potential of UArctic's flagship undergraduate program. Whether you and your institution are striving to implement or integrate Circumpolar Studies or simply want to know more about the program, please join us. ( Meeting room#10)

north2north Mobility: Open to all interested, this meeting will provide an overview of UArctic's north2north Mobility Program, including details on grants and waivers, application procedures, and establishing institutional contacts. Come join us to find out more! (Meeting room# 20)

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18:00 – 19:30       Free time for dinner and exploring Nuuk

20:00 - 21:30    Public Panel Discussion at Ilisimatusarfik / University of Greenland campus

Topic: Language in Relation to Internationalisation and Nation Building

Venue: Ilisimatusarfik / University of Greenland campus
Getting To / From by:
•    City bus take #2 from the opposite side of the street from Hotel Hans Egede (15 DKK);
•    Taxi (70 DKK), university address Manutooq 1;
•    Walking 3,5 Km / 45 minutes from Hotel Hans Egede.

Panellists: 

Ms. Tove Søvndal Gant (Chair), Vice-chair of UArctic's Board of Governors 

Ms. Naja Paulsen, Head of Department of Journalism at Ilisimatusarfik (University of Greenland)

Mr. Aqqaluk Lynge, former head of Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) – Greenland

Ms. Pipaluk Lynge, former municipal politician

Ms. Ulunnguaq Markussen, student at Ilisimatusarfik and UArctic Student Ambassdor

 
 

August 15

Council meeting sessions, Hotel Hans Egede, conference room #12

8:00 – 17:00    Council Registration and Information Desk Open

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9:00 - 9:30    Opening Session - Welcome and Greetings
    • Suzanne Møller, Rector, Ilisimatusarfik/University of Greenland
    • Tove Søvndalh Gant, Vice-chair, UArctic Board of Governors
    • Aleksi Härkönen, Chair of Senior Arctic Officials, Arctic Council
    • Lars Kullerud, President, University of the Arctic
9:30 - 10:15    UArctic Today - An overview of UArctic and its activities

10:15 - 10:30    Coffee break / refreshments

    • Launch of UArctic Congress 2016 book "The Interconnected Arctic"

10:30 - 11:15 Discussion with Senior Arctic Officials of the Arctic Council

Moderators:
  • Lars Kullerud, UArctic President
  • Liisa Holmberg, Chair, Council of UArctic

Senior Arctic Officials:

  • Aleksi Härkönen, Chair, SAO, Finland
  • Hanne Fugl Eskjær, SAO, Denmark
  • Anniken Krutnes, SAO, Norway
  • Tomas Orri Ragnarsson, Deputy SAO, Iceland 
11:15 - 12:00 Council Business meeting – Session I  

12:00 - 13:00 Lunch / *Lunch meeting for New Member representatives - tables reserved

13:00 - 15:00 Council Business meeting – Session II

15:00 - 15:30 Coffee break / refreshments

15:30 - 17:00 Council Business meeting – Session III

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17:00 - 19:30 Free time for dinner and exploring Nuuk

20:00 - 22:00 Cultural Medley

Venue: Katuaq Culture Center
Katuaq - Greenland Cultural Centre for a Cultural Medley. Katuaq is the home of Greenlands cultural events, highlighting the arts, music, and conferences. Opened in 1997, its astonishing architecture was inspired by waving Northern Lights, icebergs and reflections in the snow. The house has a special spirit, bringing the community together and serving as a cultural oasis in the middle of the city.
Located in the city centre, a short walk from all hotels


August 16

Council meeting sessions, Hotel Hans Egede, conference room #12

8:30 – 17:00 Council Registration and Information Desk Open

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9:00 - 10:15    Council Business meeting – Session IV

10:15 - 10:30  Coffee break / refreshments

10:30 - 17:00  Council Networking Sessions

10:30 - 12:00 Council Networking Session I

12:00 - 13:00 Lunch
*Lunch meeting for UArctic Membership Committee & Greenland Research Council members - table reserved

13:00 - 15:00 Council Networking Session II

15:00 - 15:30 Coffee break / refreshments

15:30 - 17:00 Council Networking Session III (conclusions)

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17:00 - 18:00 Free time

18:00 Bus departs from Hotel Hans Egede
 
18:30 - Council Banquet

Location: Ilisimatusarfik / University of Greenland campus rformance

  • Performance
  • Dinner
  • Acknowledgements
  • Council Group Photo [outside – weather permitting]
 21:30 Bus transportation back to Hotel Hans Egede
 

August 17

 Council meeting sessions, Hotel Hans Egede, conference room #12

7:45 – 8:30 * Ofelas – UArctic Leadership / Breakfast Meeting

Location: Hotel Hans Egede restaurant (table reserved)

Co-chairs: Lars Kullerud, UArctic President, and Liisa Holmberg, Chair, Council of UArctic

8:30 – 10:30 Council Registration and Information Desks Open

9:00 - 10:30 Council Business meeting – Closing Session

11.00-13:00 Nuuk City Tour+ Lunch
Bus leave from Hotel Hans Egede
 

Following the closing of the Council meeting, participants will have the opportunity to take a bus tour of the city. The tour entitled "Nuuk in Ancient and Modern Times", will last two hours starting at 11:00, and will include a lunch.

The tour guide, Margrethe Sørensen, is a teacher of Sociology and International Relations at the University of Greenland.

The past and the present form a fascinating mix in the capital of Greenland. Nuuk the largest city in Greenland, and is located on a peninsula with access both to the Atlantic Ocean and to the spectacular hinterland. Established as a city 300 year-old ago, Nuuk is home of Greenland’s public administration, its government and many national institutions. The city also has a great deal to offer in business and commercial enterprises.

During the tour you will learn about Nuuk as a dynamic center of the Municipality Sermersooq, and hear about Greenland’s history, culture, growth, as well as its vision and strategies for the future. The tour buses will travel through Nuuk’s districts, where you will be able to observe the contrasts between the old and modern, for example, with housing and livelihoods. 

14:00-18:00 Optional Boat trip to Kangeq ("Island of Hope") 

Kangeq island is located where the Nuup Kangerlua fjord reaches the Atlantic Ocean (Davis Strait), and is a great area to observe seals, whales, walrus, and a variety of seabirds. Historically, as a stop on their migration route, the ancient coastal settlement of Kangeq was first occupied by the pre-Inuit Paleo Eskimo peoples during the Dorset Culture era. The Dorset people vanished from the Nuuk region before 1000 AD. The island is also the site of Hans Egede's first settlement in Greenland (1721). The sight still shows clear evidence of its past inhabitants, offering a feel of ancient Inuit life and the transition to modern Greenland.

Tentative arrangements for this optional boat tour are being made for the afternoon from 14:00 to 18:00. The price per person will be 115 EUR. 

Registered participants need to go to Tupilak Travel ( address: Ilivinnguaq 1 ) and pay the fee before the actual boat tour.
The office is open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM - Monday to Friday. The Boat Tour starts on Thursday from the harbor. Those taking the Nuuk City Tour, we have reserved enough time to get to the harbor. It is about 1 km/ 15 minutes' walk from Hotel Hans Egede.