The new Kingdom of Denmark Chairship Youth Committee convenes for its first in-person gathering

The newly established Chairship Youth Committee (CYC) met for the first time in person on the margins of the Arctic Circle Assembly. The gathering provided a valuable opportunity for onboarding, planning, and team building among the committee members.

The newly established Chairship Youth Committee (CYC) met for the first time in person on the margins of the Arctic Circle Assembly. The gathering provided a valuable opportunity for onboarding, planning, and team building among the committee members.

Over the course of the meeting, the CYC focused on drafting its initial work plan, discussing its mandate, and had a workshop on potential themes for the Arctic Youth Conference 2027 hosted by the Kingdom of Denmark's Chairship. In addition, the committee engaged with representatives from the Arctic Council, Permanent Participants and Working Groups, to gain a deeper understanding of the Council's structure and activities.

What is the Chairship Youth Committee?

The Chairship Youth Committee is a platform for young Arctic voices to contribute to the priorities of the Kingdom of Denmark Chairship of the Arctic Council, promote intergenerational dialogue, and foster collaboration between the Chairship, Permanent Participants, Working Groups, and relevant stakeholders.

Youth is a high priority for the Kingdom of Denmark Chairship. As stated in the Chairship program, the aim is to "promote the engagement of Arctic youth in all agendas of the Arctic Council and support initiatives by Permanent Participants to increase and support youth involvement in the Arctic Council." The Kingdom of Denmark builds on initiatives started by Norway and other Arctic States to strengthen long-term youth participation in Arctic governance.

What does the Chairship Youth Committee do?

Under the leadership of the Kingdom of Denmark Chairship and with support from the Arctic Council Secretariat and the Indigenous Peoples' Secretariat, the CYC will:

• Support and advise the Chairship on youth engagement, particularly by:
  • Leading the program development for the Arctic Youth Conference 2027, including identifying key themes and shaping its content.
  • Initiating work on an Arctic Council Youth Engagement Strategy (ACYES) - the first step toward establishing a long-term framework for meaningful youth involvement, aligned with the Arctic Council Strategic Plan.
• Promote and facilitate youth engagement across current and future Chairships through 2031 (Denmark, Sweden, Canada).
• Collaborate with Arctic States, Permanent Participants, Working Groups, Observers, and other stakeholders to co-develop and implement youth-focused projects and initiatives that align with the Council's broader priorities.