The Chairship Youth Committee
The Chairship Youth Committee
© Minetta Westerlund / ACS

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 reviewing 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 and its 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.

Chairship Youth Committee meeting the Chair of Senior Arctic Officials, Kenneth Høegh, at the Greenlandic Representation in Reykjavik.
© Minetta Westerlund / ACS

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 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.

Who is in the Chairship Youth Committee?

The Chairship Youth Committee is composed of 10 members, nominated by:

  • Three Arctic States: the Kingdom of Denmark (3), Sweden (1), and Canada (1);
  • Two Permanent Participants: the Inuit Circumpolar Council and Saami Council, representing the Permanent Participant Youth Network (2);
  • Three Arctic youth organizations: Arctic Youth Network (1), the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (1), and the University of the Arctic (1).

As a guiding and advisory body, the committee plays a key role in shaping youth engagement during the Kingdom of Denmark’s Chairship and beyond.

Introduction to the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) Working Group
© Minetta Westerlund / ACS

Meet the Chairship Youth Committee here


© Minetta Westerlund / ACS

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