1st International Conference on Public Policies
Developments in the Arctic have mostly been studied through defense studies, international relations, geopolitics, and to a lesser extent, economics. Public policies of arctic states in the High North have attracted far less attention, with the exception of Indigenous peoples' rights. This panel refers to the definition of the Arctic by the Arctic Human Development Report based largely on northern political units. Although the Arctic is not a homogenous region physically, economically, or politically, the arctic states face comparable challenges such as adapting to a warmer climate and the development of remote areas. Many parts of the Arctic are characterized by a harsh environment with little infrastructure, long distances, and ethnically diverse populations. While some regions are affected by out-migration, and others by in-migration, more transient workers are needed for mining and the hydrocarbon industries. The purpose of this panel is to analyze and discuss:
- To what extent climate change and the economic prospects in the Arctic have changed public policies;
- To what extent public policies are limiting or motivating economic development through legislation, infrastructure development, and direct or indirect subsidization, particularly in the mining and hydrocarbon sector and in transport (shipping);
- The capacity to act by the elected representatives at the local level, and to analyze to what extent citizens and communities are engaged in the development of public policies
- How conflicting interests between economic sectors are considered (e.g. tourism versus mining, petroleum activities versus fisheries and traditional subsistence);
- How social cohesion between various categories of the population (Indigenous/non indigenous, permanent/transient) appears as an issue in current public policies;
- If public policies are shaped by regional frameworks of cooperation and international agreements and norms;
- How arctic policy making can be seen as an imaginary and symbolic construction.
Comparative approaches of public policies in the Arctic are particularly welcome. In order to propose a paper, please send an abstract (300 words max.) directly to panel chair Cecile Pelaudeix (cecile.pelaudeix [at] sciencespo-lyon.fr).
Abstract submission deadline: Friday, 1 February 2013.