Climate, Community, and the Power of Place at the Arctic Circle Assembly

In October, Dr. Cameron Wake, Director of the University of New England’s Center for North Atlantic Studies (UNE North), represented UNE as part of the Maine delegation at the Arctic Circle Assembly Conference in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Arctic Circle is the largest network of international dialogue and cooperation on the future of the Arctic and our Planet. It is an open democratic platform with participation from governments, organizations, businesses, universities, think tanks, environmental associations, Indigenous communities, concerned citizens, and others. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan.

The Arctic Circle Assembly is the largest annual international gathering on the Arctic, attended by up to 2500 participants from over 70 countries.

Attending the Arctic Circle Assembly – Indigenous Voices and Global Interests in the Arctic

I was one of four representatives from UNE as part of the Maine delegation attending the annual Arctic Circle Assembly Conference in Reykjavik, Iceland, an international interdisciplinary gathering to discuss the impact of climate change on the Arctic, which is warming four times faster than the rest of the globe.

This was my third consecutive year at the conference, and each year I’ve been struck by the large number of indigenous people in attendance and the significance of indigenous voices being welcomed and valued as diverse communities assemble to examine the challenges in the region and explore ways of engaging with each other to address these issues.

The Arctic comprises several nation-states—the United States, Canada, Denmark, Greenland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. However, several other non-Arctic countries have strategic interests in the Arctic—including the United Kingdom, China, India, and South Korea; as a result, security is an important part of the conversation. Note that Russian representatives are not able to participate in the Assembly due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

A Conference Grounded in Place

What’s significant, in my opinion, about this conference is the focus on place—it’s not only about science or economics or sustainability or security or culture—it’s about how all of those disciplines impact and are impacted by the dramatic climatic, environmental, and social change roiling the Arctic.

This focus on place aligns with the approach we’ve developed with UNE’s Master of Science in Climate Change Leadership (CCL) program, launched last year. Our students are required to consider place within all their assignments and case studies, and to connect their education to real life situations and challenges, always asking the question, “How do you lead where you work, or where you live, or where you play, or where you want to be?”

Building Deeper Connections Through Experiential Learning

To strengthen this connection to place, we are exploring ways to incorporate travel courses into the CCL program, the concept of which has been enthusiastically supported by our students. Creating opportunities to engage with people in different coastal regions will help our students prepare for leadership roles, and having the chance to forge a personal sense of different place is a powerful experience.

A Personal Connection of Place in Iceland

I found my own connection to place on this trip as I explored Iceland for a few days prior to the conference with my wife. We visited Whalefjord in Hvammsvik, a spectacular set of natural hot pools and stones built into the bank that extends to the North Atlantic. I had read that there had been over 200 ships from the Allied Forces fleet moored in the Whalefjord during World War II. I imagined, marinating in the geothermal pools, that my father may have roamed the same ground during his stint in the Royal Canadian Navy during WWII. It was very moving to realize we had both been in this place, albeit many decades apart. A reminder of the unexpected way life comes full circle with place at the center.

Renewed Commitment to Collaboration and Climate Action

Every time I attend this conference, I am rejuvenated seeing people who are so committed to tackling some very big challenges across a broad spectrum of sectors, which is what we’re doing in the CCL program—sharing the message that addressing climate change is about collaborating across disciplines and sectors to solve problems.

Discover Your Connection to Place – Lead Impactful Solutions for a Sustainable Future

UNE’s Master of Science in Climate Change Leadership program is an interdisciplinary environmental graduate program designed to prepare you for a meaningful career at the forefront of climate solutions. Ideal for students considering a climate change policy master’s, environmental policy master’s, or marine conservation master’s, the CCL program bridges science, policy, and leadership to meet today’s most urgent environmental challenges.

The CCL program offers specialized concentrations in marine science, public health, and sustainable business—supporting pathways similar to a marine science graduate program, environmental policy master’s, or master’s in sustainability management, depending on your career goals. Each concentration equips you with the interdisciplinary knowledge and practical skills needed to lead impactful change in your chosen field.

Crafted specifically for a variety of academic backgrounds, this environmental graduate program is designed with low barriers to entry. No prior experience or specific prerequisites are required.

Program Highlights:

• 100% Online: Flexible and fully online, our program fits into your busy life. Access course materials anytime, anywhere.
• Expert Faculty: Learn from faculty with both academic and real-world expertise who prioritize an engaging, student-centered experience.
• Comprehensive Curriculum: A 34-credit program designed for working professionals, completed in 2.5–4 years with 7- and 14-week online courses and multiple start dates.
• Student Support: From application to graduation, you’ll have personal support, including an Enrollment & Retention Counselor, and a curriculum covering foundational and advanced topics.
• Capstone Project: Get guided support to turn your ideas into actionable research through a capstone that drives real-world impact.
• Career Focused: Choose from concentrations in Marine Science, Public Health, or Sustainable Business—ideal preparation for careers in marine conservation, environmental policy, sustainability leadership, and climate-focused industries.

Whether you’re ready to advance your career or start a new journey, the CCL program empowers you to become a force for action and innovation in a rapidly changing world.

Take the next step toward leading climate solutions. Apply today and join a community of changemakers shaping a sustainable future.