From 2.-4. The LAURENTIC FORUM online conference will take place in November, and this is the thirteenth time the conference has been held. The aim of the conference is to discuss opportunities and challenges for coastal communities in the Arctic. The program is divided into two parts, ie. tourism (Nov 2) and fisheries (Nov 3 & 4).
The conference takes place online and interested parties can participate free of charge, but registration is required. website of the conference where you can also access the program.
The program is divided into five seminars and in each of them there are presentations from representatives of Iceland, Norway, Ireland and Newfoundland & Labrador. The seminars and speakers can be seen below.
Session 1: Sustainable Tourism: Looking Forward
- Minister Steve Crocker, Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts & Recreation, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Councilor Jack Murray, Mayor of Donegal
- Sigrid Engen, Researcher, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research
- Dale Jarvis, Executive Director of Heritage Newfoundland & Labrador
- Johann Vidar Ivarsson, Project Manager at the Icelandic Tourist Board
- Maurice Bergin Managing Director, GreenHospitality.ie (Ireland)
- Margaret Story, TIDE Project Officer
Session 2: The value of the Blue Economy
- Andrew Ward, Joint CEO of Inishowen Development Partnership
- Charlie McConalogue, Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Sunniva Løviknes, Troms and Finnmark County
- Bente Olsen Husby, West - Finnmark Council
- Iris Petten President, Port de Grave Historical Society, NL
- Karl Bonar, Manager, Donegal Blue Economy Marine Cluster
- Sveinn Agnarsson, Professor, University of Iceland School of Business
Session 3: The Engine That Does Not Stop: Changing Course Through Innovation & Technology
- Paul Winger Director, Center for Sustainable Aquatic Resources, Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University
- Þór Sigfusson, Founder and Chairman of the Icelandic Ocean Cluster
- Joanne Gaffney Aquaculture Technical Manager, BIM
- Pål Arne Bjørn, IMR and Jo Inge Hesjevik Fisherman and Regional Political Representative
Session 4: The New Frontier: Sustainable Wealth & Health Through Blue Bioeconomy
- Nils Kristian Sorkem Nilsen, Director Arctic, regional policy, state aid, North Norway EU Office, Brussels
- Jón Þrándur Stefánsson, Ministry of Industries and Innovation (Department of fisheries), Iceland
- Jón Garðar Steingrímsson,Chief Operating Officer, Genis
- Line Kjelstrup, Cluster Manager, BIOTEC NORTH
- Jason Whooley, Chief Executive Officer, Bio-Marine Ingredients Ireland Ltd.
- Heather Burke Director, Center for Aquaculture and Seafood Development, Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University.
Session 5: The Whale in the Room: Climate Change
- Jónas R. Viðarsson, Director of Division of Value Creation, Matís, Iceland
- Glenn Nolan, Head of Oceanographic and Climate Services at the Marine Institute, Galway
- Darrell Mullowney, Shellfish Research Scientist, Fisheries & Oceans, Canada.
- Ragnhildur Friðriksdóttir, Matís, Iceland
- Stein Arne Rånes Senior Policy Advisor for Troms and Finnmark County Council
