Ilulissat Science Forum 2023
Science, art, tourism, and industry in Greenland – opportunities and challenges in the face of climate change.
Main content
Avannaata municipality, the University of Bergen, and the Norwegian Embassy in Denmark are hosting the first annual Ilulissat Science Forum, and the opening of the Illu – Science and Art Hub in Ilulissat, Greenland.
Registration is open: Please fill in the form and pay online here. There are two options: conference (2000DKK/3000NOK) and optional conference dinner and concert (1000DKK/1500NOK).
There are a limited number of registrations possible - so please register early and book your flight and accomodation asap as Ilulissat is a popular destination.
Please also contact us a illu@uib.no if you are a PhD or early career scientist from Greenland or Nunavut and would like to apply for a stipend.
Programme
Monday 2 October:
10:00 - 12:00 Excursion in Ilulissat (boat tour on Ilulissat Icefjord - see info below) |
12:30 - 14:30 Lunch at Hotel Hvide Falk (short walk from Illu) |
14:30 - 15:30 Welcome and opening of “Illu – Science and Art Hub” in Ilulissat Palle Jeremiassen (Mayor of Avannaata Kommunia), Katja Nordgaard (Norwegian Ambassador to Greenland and Denmark), Gottfried Greve (Vice-Rector University of Bergen) |
15:30 - 16:00 Coffe break |
16:00 - 18:00 Local perspectives of climate change (open to the public) Format: Introductory stories followed by a panel conversation moderated by Julia Pars (relatepeople). Interpretation between Greenlandic and English or Danish is available. Local perspectives of climate change by communities in Avannaata Kommunia
Speakers: Vera Mølgård (Women's Association in Ilulissat), Jørgen Kristensen (dog sled musher, ice- and climate enthusiast), Otto Jørgensen (fisher and hunter), Nakuusa, director and pupil from local school. Responsible: Avannaata Kommunia (Anne Henriksen / annh@avannaata.gl) |
| 20:00 Conference Dinner at Hotel Icefjord (sign-up when you register for the forum) |
Tuesday 3 October
09:00 - 11:30 Climate change and Geology in Greenland (in English) Format: Keynotes followed by panel debates and discussions moderated by Julia Pars (relatepeople)
Speakers: Majken Djurhuus Poulsen (GEUS Nuuk), Sascha Schiøtt (Greenland Institute of Natural Resources), Linda Latuta (University of Bergen / Bjerknes Center for Climate Research) Responsible: University of Bergen (Kerim Hestnes Nisancioglu / kerim@uib.no) |
| 12:00 - 13:30 Lunch at Hotel Hvide Falk (short walk from Illu) |
13:30 - 15:30 Green Energy Industry (in English) Format: Keynotes followed by panel debates and discussions moderated by Julia Pars (relatepeople) The potential of Greenland as the new energy hub and the importance of new technologies, efficient policy framework and investment in Greenland in a time of rapid climate changes.
Speakers: Klaus Skytte (Nordic Energy Research), Christian Keldsen (Greenland Business Association), Nicolai Fossar Fabritius (Anori), Mårten Lunde (H2Carrier) Responsible: Norwegian Embassy in Copenhagen (Sara Husum / Sara.Husum@mfa.no) and Nordic Council of Ministers & Nordic Council (Mikael Carboni Kelk /mikake@norden.org) |
| 15:30 - 16:00 Coffee Break |
16:00 - 18:00 Sustainable tourism (open to the public) Format: Keynotes followed by a panel conversation moderated by Julia Pars (relatepeople). Interpretation between Greenlandic and English or Danish is available. Sustainable tourism in a time of climate change and rapidly increasing number of visitors
Speakers: Flemming Lauritzen and Ane Sofie Lauritzen (Arctic Living), Lars Erik Gabrielsen (UniqueTours), Suusaat Mathiassen and Asbjørn Dissing Bargsteen (Tourism Advisors, Avannaata Kommunia), Tanny Por (Visit Greenland) Responsible: Avannaata Kommunia (Anne Henriksen / annh@avannaata.gl) |
20:00 - 22:00 Concert: Acoustic duo with Nanook (sign-up when you register for the forum) Nanook recently released their new album Ilutsinniit Apuussilluta (more here), questioning "... the earths' direction to total destruction. Though heavy subjects the album is very uplifting and shows trust in the new generation but that they need guidance when obstacles appear." (Atlantic Music) There will also be a daytime workshop with Nanook for local school children in collaboration with the schools of Ilulissat (this is a closed arrangement).  Photo:
Nanook
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Wednesday 4 October open sessions:
09:00 - 10:30 Climate Intervention in Greenland (in English) Format: Keynotes followed by panel debates and discussions Topics: Is it feasible to slow the melting of outlet glaciers on Greenland, such as "Sermeq Kujaleq" by preventing the inflow of warm water to Ilulissat Icefjord? What adverse effects can be caused by geoengineering solutions? How are the ecosystems, fisheries and local communities impacted? Participants: Ilona Mettiäinen (ULapland), Marianne Hagen (UArctic Tipping Point Actions), Lars Henrik Smedsrud (UiB / Bjerknes Center for Climate Rearch), Torkel Gissel (DTU Aqua) Resonible: University of Bergen (Kerim Hestnes Nisancioglu / kerim@uib.no) |
| 10:30 - 11:00 Coffe break |
11:00 - 12:30 Expedition Science (in English) Format: Keynotes followed by panel debates and discussions Topics: How can expeditions help sponsor scientific research and facilitate dissemination on changes in climate and the environment? What is the role of sponsors, expedition members, scientists, and artists? Is there a potential in expedition science? What role do today’s business leaders and investors play in sustainable development thru their actions and their dissemination to the public and their peers? Participants: Christiane Leister (Leister Expeditions), Emily Baxter (Hurtigruten expeditions), Andreas Alexander (UiB / Bjerknes Center for Climate Rearch) Resonible: University of Bergen (Kerim Hestnes Nisancioglu / kerim@uib.no) |
| 12:30 - 14:30 Lunch at Hotel Hvide Falk (short walk from Illu) |
| 14:30 - 16:00 Collabroating on education in Greenland (in English) Format: Keynotes followed by panel debates and discussions Topics: Building on the experience from UNIS (Svalbard) and other similar joint educational institutions (e.g. UWC Red Cross Nordic) with a focus on uniting people and cultures, practical training in the field and sharing of infrastructure and knowledge in education, we will discuss ideas for how to support educational activities in Greenland (Disko Bay as a case study) within climate science and sustainable development. Confirmed participants: Hanne Hvidfeldt Christensen (UNIS), Elisabeth Momme (Ilulissat Icefjord Centre), Astrid M.A. Schmidt (DIS Study Abroad), Morten Raasch (University of Copenahgen / EU INTERACT), Céline Albert (Arctic Station) Resonible: University of Bergen (Kerim Hestnes Nisancioglu / kerim@uib.no) |
| 16:00 - 19:00 Excursions (Ilulissat Icefjordcenter, Disko Bay boat trip, Icefjord hike) |
| 16:00 - 19:00 Open for side-events (please email illu@uib.no) |
Monday 25th of September - Sunday 1st of October: Art (KMD responsible)
Community events with art exhibits and workshops in collaboration with local schools and organizations in Ilulissat. Marking the culmination of ongoing workshops revolving around the themes: climate, maps, and nature. During the weekend, public workshops will take place in Illu, including an exhibition curated with all the artworks as a backdrop for the Science Forum.
Contributors: Irene Thor Jeremiassen (Artist, Ilulissat/Nuuk), Majken Djurhuus Poulsen (GEUS Nuuk), Mathew Stiller-Reeve (ClimateNarratives, Bergen) and Eamon O’Kane (UiB/ClimateNarratives, Bergen).
Responsible: ClimateNarratives project, Unviersity of Bergen (Mathew Stiller-Reeve, mathew@stillerreeve.no) and Illu - Science and Art Hub (Ilulissat)
Practical Information:
Venue: Illu – Science and Art Hub, Ilumiut 18, Ilulissat
Arrival Friday 29th of September is encouraged, and latest by Monday morning the 2nd of October (note there are no flights on Sunday the 1st of October)
Accommodation and travel will have to be arranged individually.
Program Committee: Kerim Hestnes Nisancioglu (kerim@uib.no), Anne Henriksen (annh@avannaata.gl) and Sara Husum (Sara.Husum@mfa.no)
For the boat trip to Disko Bay and the Icefjord you can sign up either for Monday the 2nd 10:00-12:30 or Wednesday the 4th 17:00-19:30 by emailing Authenic Greenland (authenticgreenland@gmail.com, Price is 600DKK/person, bring cash - there is space for 12 on the boat so be quick).
Partners in Ilulissat Science Forum:
Thanks also to support from:
