The MAC is an experiential learning exercise, in which graduate and advanced undergra duate students from disciplines and universities across the Arctic region s imulate the work of the Arctic Council. The Council is the primary forum fo r international cooperation and environmental protection in the Arctic; its working groups contribute to knowledge creation on the Arctic and its frag ile ecosystem. In the simulation, each student will represent one of the ei ght Arctic Council Member States, six Permanent Participants, or several Ob servers.
Theme: The MAC 2020 simulation will focus o n environmental issues, including plastics and protected areas, and the wor k of two Arctic Council Working Groups—Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fau na (CAFF) and Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME)—and the Se nior Arctic Officials (SAOs).
Aim: The MAC simulates an international negotiation on pressing challenges the Arctic region and its inhabitants face, so students learn about both issues and the Arctic Co uncil itself. Second, participants develop an understanding of the interpla y among science, politics, and economics through practice. Finally, the pro gram prepares participants to engage in decision-making processes and to ex ercise leadership and diplomacy skills in the Arctic, emphasizing active li stening, public speaking, and training of oral skills.
Prepar ation: Students will prepare for their participation independently by examining the basic documents of the Arctic Council and its working gro ups (e.g., Declarations of Ministerial meetings; Vision for the Arctic 2013 ), and through courses and extra-curricular programs at their home universi ties. Program organizers will assign roles. Each participant must also care fully examine the policies, strategies, agendas, and statements of her/his actor in the simulation.
Funding: The University of Akureyri will cover on-site costs in Akureyri, including shared accommodati on (based on double occupancy), local transportation, and some meals. Stude nts are responsible for obtaining funding for their transportation to/from Akureyri as well as some meals. We encourage applicants to seek funding thr ough their universities´ administrations or countries´ ministries of foreig n affairs, or organizations/institutions working on the Arctic/ Arctic affa irs.
Hosts: The Model Arctic Council 2020 will be ho sted by the University of Akureyri, and led by Professor Rachael Lorna John stone. It will be organized with the cooperation of Icelandic ministries, a s one of the activities of the Icelandic Chairmanship of the Arctic Council (2019-2021). Moreover, the event will be a collaborative effort with the M odel Arctic Council Thematic Network, a continuing program organized under the University of the Arctic and led by Professors Mary Ehrlander and Brand on Boylan at the Unive rsity of Alaska Fairbanks.
For more information and to su bmit an application, visit the Model Arctic Council website.
Important Dates:
Applications ar
e due by November 8, 2019.
Student
s will be notified of their acceptance by December 3, 2019.