Arctic Council Meetings Coming to Portland in Fall; Public Events Planned

Posted on by
Share

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 2,708)

Nearly two hundred and fifty (250) people from all over the world will gather in Portland in September and October for various Arctic Council meetings according to a press release issued by the Maine Arctic Council Host Committee this morning.  Arctic change will have a direct impact on Maine’s economy, coastline and national resources.  As melting polar ice leads to gradual opening of Arctic shipping routes for larger periods of time, Maine is well  positioned as the northernmost major US port on the east coast.  The Host Committee is an organization comprised of Arctic-focused business and community representatives from across the state and other partners.

There will be preliminary meetings coming in September.  The October meetings are on 5th and 6th. They are believed to take place in and around Portland, but sites have not been disclosed at this time. These meetings are all private and will not be open to the public.

However, public events have been scheduled that will offer the public a chance to learn about the work of the Arctic Council and Maine’s growing connection to this important region of the world.  For example, on Tuesday, September 13 – through Wednesday, September 28th, EIMSKIP will present  a curated art exhibit, ICELANDx207, in Congress Square, from photographer, Justin Levesque. On Monday, October 3rd there will be a full day public conference on the Arctic:  Challenges and Opportunities hosted by the University of Southern Maine, University of Maine School of Law and Pierce Atwood, LLP. The Children’s Museum of Maine is partnering with the Anchorage Museum in Alaska to create family programming including an art project on the Aurora Borealis.

Dana Eidsness, is the Director, of the Maine North Atlantic Development Office (MENADO).

There are similar other public events planned that may be viewed on the new website – www.maineandthearctic.com.  There is also more information about the Arctic Council.

There is more background information at Post # 2,678 – dated August 5th, 2016 herein.