Arcticportal News

(Photo: Nature Gate)NatureGate mobile app version 2 has been launched and is now available now for iOS and Android devices.

NatureGate service is based on a worldwide patented species identification tool, enabling you to find fascinating information about hundreds of wild species together with thousands of superb images captured by top photographers. You can view and search for species in various ways – for instance using their English names, their scientific names, or by genus or family.

Their unique identification tools also help you to get to know new species. They make the task of discovering new species easy, fast and fun. Try one of these tools right now! Choose a species group, and find out how to identify unfamiliar flowers, trees and shrubs, birds, butterflies or fish.

NatureGate is a global gate to the nature. The web and mobile services are already available in eight languages. Educational material including interactive games tailored for different age groups from elementary school children to academic students is in the pilot phase. NatureGate mainly works in eight languages. Many of our featured species can be found right around the world. Our multilingual web services can benefit millions of people interested in nature, wherever they happen to be.

To read more about Nature Gate project click here. 

(Photo: The Arctic Portal) Young researchers gathered yesterday at the University of Iceland in order to discuss their current projects.

Yesterday, 20th of March, young researchers met at the University of Iceland in order to discuss and present their on-going research work. Friendly and informal meeting involved young engineers, natural and social scientists.

Ph.D and Master students from various parts of the world, to include Italy and Iran got a chance to present their high quality research, carried out at various highly recognized universities, to include University of Akureyri, Iceland, Tromso University in northern Norway and many others.

Research topics were greatly focused around the Arctic issues and touched upon biosciences, fisheries, law, politics and international affairs. The meeting created the platform for information, knowledge and experience exchange and allowed the development of new ideas and further interaction between representatives of various disciplines.

The meeting was chaired by Margaret Cela, the Project Manager of new Centre for Arctic Policy Studies, University of Iceland. The Centre which was formally opened on Tuesday, during the international meeting: ''Trans – Arctic Agenda'' will be the forum for interdisciplinary collaboration in the field of Arctic research with emphasis on the role and policies of states and institutions, non – state and corporate actors, and broader aspects of governance, culture and society in the High North.

Click here to read more about the new Centre for Arctic Policy Studies.

(Photo: The Arctic Portal) Dr. B. Karlsson, Dr. H. Exner - Pirot and Dr. N. Loukacheva during the first session of Systems and Societies workshop.Second day of ''The Trans – Arctic Agenda: Challenges of Development, Security and Cooperation'' has divided participants into three parallel sessions i.e. environment, economy, systems and societies.

Although the Arctic is remote and lacks dense populations, it is under threat from environmental stresses largely originating in distant regions. The physical constitution of the Arctic dictates how the region reacts to environmental changes. With water occupying about two fifths of the area north of the 60th parallel, the region is essentially an ocean surrounded by land.

Three main issues regarding the Arctic environment are climate change, changes in biological diversity, and the use of toxic substances. The effects of these changes are becoming increasingly evident in the North, affecting largely the people in the northern territories.

Economic development and transfer of political power to the indigenous communities, establishing their fundamental rights to sovereignty was the matter for the dispute during the event as well as the risk managment and the international capability to face security challenges. 

The conference will continue until 18.00. After the closing remarks, participants will be hosted by the President of Iceland in his residence in Reykjavik.

Please, click here to see the detailed schedule of the ''Trans - Arctic Agenda''. 

(Logo: NRF)The global climate change is by scientists predicted to have great environmental and socio-economic impacts in the whole Arctic as well as in northern Europe. There will be direct and indirect impacts on nature and on communities as well as uncertainties. In addition, global warming is predicted to accelerate off-shore oil and gas drilling in the Northern icy seas and open a new (global) sailing route from the North Atlantic Ocean through the Arctic Ocean to the eastern parts of the globe.

Northern Research Forum in cooperation with the ESPON-ENECON project organizes international conference: „Climate Change in Northern Territories'' that will take place in Akureyri 22 – 23 of August 2013.

The event will bring early career researchers together for an open dialogue on issues of Northern and global relevance, to work with senior mentors, and to develop international and interdisciplinary collaborations.

(Photo: NRF)

All NRF Young Researchers (YR) are required to participate in the Open Assembly from August 21st – 23rd. Each YR will make a presentation and provide a written final version (word document) of the presentation to the NRF for publication in the conference proceedings.

Each YR is required to electronically submit his/her paper by the 15th of April 2013 as well as publishing permissions for the NRF if selected as a YR (each selected YR will be provided the opportunity to finalize their papers after the Assembly if they prefer a different version be published in the conference proceedings). Each YR will write and orally present session summaries and actively participate in the assembly open dialogue and the post assembly evaluation.

Please, access the NRF website for more information and to register for the event. The registration deadline is 1st of April.

(Logo: Nexus) Today, 18th of March 2013 a high-level seminar hosted by the Institute for International Affairs and Centre for Arctic Policy Studies, University of Iceland (IIA/CAPS), and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) – in cooperation with the Swedish and Icelandic Ministries for Foreign Affairs, starts in Reykjavik. The event will be held at Radisson Blu Hotel Saga.

Keynote addresses by HE Mr. Carl Bildt, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden and HE Mr. Össur Skarphéðinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland will be given at 18.00 in Radisson Blu Hotel Saga in Katla Conference Room.

''Nexus'' Association invites to join their ''101 Arctic'' a tech – in event on basic Arctic issues. This part of the event will take place at 14.00 in the conference hall of Icelandic National Museum. The event is open for the public.

For more information, please visit the website of the Institute of International Affairs – University of Iceland.

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