07 May 2025Prioritizing what matters with the Arctic Council Sustainable Development Working GroupPeople and Communities in the Arctic As the Norwegian Chairship of the Arctic Council (2023–2025) comes to a close, the SDWG reflects on two years of meaningful progress centered on a clear priority: People and Communities, Climate and Energy, and Culture and Language. In the 2025 edition of UArctic’s Shared Voices Magazine, SDWG Norwegian Chair Inga Nyhamar shares how this commitment translated into action through a series of impactful, community-led initiatives. Projects that Empower and Inspire From youth mental health and clean energy innovation to the preservation of Indigenous languages and food traditions, the SDWG has championed projects that deliver practical knowledge, intergenerational connections, and long-lasting impact. Highlights include: Local2Global: An Indigenous-led initiative strengthening mental health and suicide prevention efforts through international knowledge-sharing, intergenerational dialogue, and culturally rooted solutions. Project CREATeS: Though concluded in 2019, this digital storytelling initiative continues to influence youth leadership and advocacy through creative, healing-centered platforms. ARENA (Arctic Remote Energy Networks Academy): A training ground for remote energy innovators, connecting Arctic changemakers with tools and mentorship to implement clean energy solutions in their communities. EALLU & the Digitalization of Linguistics Project: These initiatives preserve and revitalize traditional knowledge, Arctic food systems, and endangered Indigenous languages—bridging past and present through education and technology. "Our work must ensure Arctic communities are not just resilient, but vibrant, empowered, and future-focused." — Inga Nyhamar, SDWG Chair Looking Ahead: Welcoming the Kingdom of Denmark Chairship The SDWG extends sincere appreciation to Norway for its dedicated leadership and collaborative spirit during this Chairship period. We now look ahead with enthusiasm to the Kingdom of Denmark's Arctic Council Chairship (2025–2027)—representing Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. The continuity of priorities across Chairships ensures that the human dimension of the Arctic Council remains central. The SDWG is committed to working alongside the incoming Chairship to advance inclusive, innovative, and sustainable solutions that reflect the voices and needs of Arctic Peoples.
Arctic Council Working Group