UNICollaboration in conversation with COIL@UArctic
Earlier this year, COIL@UArctic members were invited to contribute to the UNICollaboration blog to discuss benefits of COIL/Virtual Exchange in the Arctic, and Indigenous perspectives on participation in COIL.
Dr Izzy Crawford, the Lead Partner in COIL@UArctic Thematic Network, spoke about the benefits of COIL for the Arctic and its global outlook, inclusion of Indigenous voices in shaping critical COIL pedagogy and new developments in this area. Izzy highlighted the importance of cross-cultural collaboration and education in the changing world, where Arctic is seen as a “vital region for the world”, facing the most profound challenges of changing climate and increased human activity.
Read Izzy’s interview on UNICollaboration blog: Virtual Exchange at the University of the Arctic - UNICollaboration
Dr Heather Sauyaq Jean Gordon, COIL@UArctic Indigenous partner, was also interviewed for the UNICollaboration blog series about Indigenous inclusion in COIL. Heather spoke about resources available on COIL@UArctic website, her experience of COIL and the role COIL can play in facilitating learning from, with, and about Indigenous Peoples. In her interview, Heather notes:
“The virtual exchange allows young people to build relationships, recognise commonalities, and understand the value of Indigenous Knowledges – all the while still being in a learning space and open to new perspectives before they develop their ‘expertise’ that seems to supersede all else in academic spaces. Most critically it allows young people to build relationships that are vital in the contentious world we live in.”
Read Heather’s interview on UNICollaboration blog: Arctic Indigenous Voices in Virtual Exchange - UNICollaboration
Watch the full interview with Heather on YouTube: