The symposium was opened by a keynote lecture given by prof. Mikko Lehtonen with an enlightening speech about the “Arctic as an Alternative Modernity”. In Mikko’s view, it is not possible to understand the Arctic without deconstructing the current notions of modernity. Indeed, modernity must be seen not as an outcome of a single process, but as a sum of many, different processes and histories. 

Mikko concluded his presentation by explaining the concept of “lenticularity”; according to which something can be seen in different ways and can simultaneously be many different things, based on the lenses that are used to observe it. Such concept can be apply also to the Arctic, with its features and specificities.

Research professor Monica Tennberg presented her ideas about “Arctic heterotopias”. In particular, Monica explained her idea of gardens as heterotopias; as places full of illusions, that anyway are real. Monica explained the evolution of Rovaniemi as a garden city using as an example of the Arctic garden and questioned whether it is possible to have a “green Arctic/Northern city”.

In the second session of the day great interested arise about the presentation of Marjo Lindroth and Heidi Sinevaara-Niskanen. They illustrated their post-doc research on “the Arctic and the colonial inclusion of indigeneity”. We had a very interesting debate regarding the concept of the contemporary care for indigenous people, which can be seen as violent, because it sees and recognizes indigeneity only as adaptive, resilient and self-reliant.

Another interesting presentation was that one delivered by Tanja Joona “Oh, what an exotic Arctic! Women leave, men stay or kill themselves”. Tanja spoke about the demographic situation in the Arctic, with problems of depopulation and north-south/villages-cities migration that are becoming always more important.

The first day was closed with a round table discussion. The main attention was paid to the problem of the decreasing in the population rate, as well as suicide rate in the Arctic; which are serious issues that must be tackled properly in order to keep the Arctic alive.

The second day of the Symposium opened by a keynote speech by Iulie Aslaksen from ECONOR Norway. 

She presented the report “The Economy of the North 2015”, giving a comprehensive perspective regarding the economic situation in the Arctic, with a particular focus on inequalities (mainly economic and social) affecting the Arctic region.

Another inspiring presentation was given by prof. Aileen Espiritu, from Tromsø University, “Futuring the Past: Arctic sustainability in Vardo and Teriberka”. Aileen pointed out the situation of these two small villages, located in the northernmost part of Norway and Russia, and how (and if) it is possible to keep such places alive. Particular attention was reserved to the concept of development and growth when addressing the problems of such realities. 

The final session of the day was opened by Elena Klyuchnikova, from the Kola Science Center of the Russian Academy of Science. Her presentation “Influence of corporations sustainable development policy on Arctic local communities” gave an interesting overview regarding the current situation in Russia about the relationship between natural resources extraction and local community. Also related to Russia, was the last presentation “Perception of Russia’s Arctic in the Finnish media” by Susanna Pirnes. She showed, how Russia is perceived by Finnish media and pointed out how such perception is influenced by international or national events.