Scotland and the Arctic share many features, outlooks and objectives. Links forged through history continue to spur rich collaborations across a range of areas, from invigorating rural economies and improving connectivity, to promoting sustainable growth and cultivating cultural heritage.

Moreover, Arctic countries and Scotland have long worked together through international cooperation programmes such as the Northern Periphery and Arctic.

In September 2019 the Scottish Government published "Arctic Connections," Scotland’s first Arctic policy framework, offering a prospectus for knowledge and policy exchange on the issues that Scotland and the Arctic have in common, which include:

• mental health
• climate change
• rural healthcare
• depopulation
• science and research 
• sustainable tourism

The policy framework reflects on shared challenges, sets out relevant Scottish expertise and encourages greater mutual learning with a view to improving the resilience and wellbeing of our communities.

Arctic Connections webinar series

Celebrating the first anniversary of  Scotland's Arctic Policy Framework, the Scottish Government is holding a series of digital events around the themes of the policy framework from October 2020 to early 2021. Confirmed events are below, more dates will be released in due course.

• 19 October at 9:30 - 11:00 - Circular Economy in Arctic Industries, part of the EU Green Week
  This session will be showcasing initiatives in or close to the Arctic already on the move towards a climate-neutral economy. It will also explore initiatives taken by regional actors across the territory, including regional development agencies, to help Arctic and rural businesses adjust to a circular economy.
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• 26 October - Rural and Thriving: Scottish and Nordic Lessons on Reversing Depopulation
  This session will offer Scottish and Nordic perspectives on the common objective of repopulating rural and remote areas, identifying similarities, divergences and opportunities for mutual learning.
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• 9 November - Mental Wellbeing in Rural and Remote Communities: A Scottish-Arctic dialogue
  This session will promote a discussion between Scottish and Arctic experts on how they can work together to tackle visible and invisible barriers to accessing mental health support, allowing people of all ages to receive the right help at the right time, no matter where they live.
  Watch the video

• 24 November - Scotland’s Offer to the Arctic will be organised in conjunction with the Wilson Centre’s Polar Institute. Scotland’s Shetland Archipelago is a mere 400 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Due in part to this proximity, Scotland is seeking to establish itself as a European gateway to the High North. Similar rural and demographic features mean that Scottish and Arctic communities share many present-day priorities, from strengthening rural resilience to improving connectivity and promoting sustainable economic growth.

Contact

Email: Francesco Bertoldi, Head of Nordic and Arctic Unit at the Scottish Government Francesco.bertoldi@gov.scot

Twitter: @ScotGovInter