Youth Perspectives to Shape Arctic Futures at UArctic Congress 2026
The “Arctic Futures through Youth Perspectives” session at UArctic Congress 2026 will highlight youth voices and early-career researchers as key contributors to shaping the Arctic’s future, exploring themes such as technology, identity, sustainability, and collaboration.
TÓRSHAVN, Faroe Islands — Youth voices, including early career researchers from across the circumpolar Arctic and beyond, will take centre stage at the UArctic Congress 2026 during a dedicated session titled “Arctic Futures through Youth Perspectives,” highlighting the ideas, experiences, and leadership of the next generation of Arctic scholars and practitioners
Organized by the UArctic Youth Thematic Network in collaboration with the OCC, the session will take place on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 17:25 to 18:20, and will bring together youth panelists to reflect on the social, environmental, technological, and cultural changes shaping Arctic regions today and into the future. The Canadian Ambassador to Denmark will bring the opening remarks.
The moderated panel discussion will explore four interconnected themes:
technology and responsibility, including emerging tools such as artificial intelligence; perceptions versus lived realities of the Arctic; defining Arctic futures through culture, sustainability, innovation, and identity; and opportunities for strengthening youth collaboration across regions and networks. Panelists will offer short reflections in response to guiding questions, fostering a dynamic exchange of youth perspectives from different Arctic contexts.
In addition to the panel, the session will feature an international youth showcase, providing visibility for students and early‑career researchers attending the Congress. Current students and early‑career researchers participating in UArctic Congress 2026 are invited to submit a short profile to be featured as part of this showcase, which aims to highlight emerging research interests, projects, and perspectives from youth working in Arctic‑related fields.
Submitted profiles will be presented during the session, offering conference delegates an opportunity to be a part of the knowledge mobilization session. Participants selected for the showcase will contribute to broader conversations about the role of youth in shaping Arctic futures across research, policy, and community contexts taking place in the Youth Network Lounge located on the main floor of the conference venue throughout the week.
Students and early‑career researchers interested in being featured are encouraged to scan the QR code on the official poster and complete the online submission form. Additional information is available at the Youth Network
By centring youth perspectives, “Arctic Futures through Youth Perspectives” reinforces the UArctic Congress commitment to inclusive dialogue and recognizes young people not only as those affected by Arctic change, but as active contributors to shaping the region’s future.