kronikker
Op ed: Going Local! - Reaching High Goals From the Ground Up
Publisert
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Nearly four million people live in the Arctic – less than 1% of the world’s population settles 15% of the world areal, living their lives in 400 communities. A diverse and sparse population, diverse governments and indigenous structures overlaid on a vast territory of unique terrestrial and maritime areas. Local and regional governments deliver essential services to their people. They represent their communities’ perspectives, and advocate to the eight Arctic states their developing needs..
To address these challenges, and opportunities, the Arctic region needs new forums of cooperation, learning from- and sharing best practices. We need to go local.
The Arctic Mayor Forum - Municipal Leadership and Development
"The people of our municipality are resilient and intend on creating a good life for themselves and their neighbor’s, and on facing the obvious challenges head on… We need to strengthen the local government and we need to find solutions on resilience together."
The Mayor of Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq Asii Chemnitz Narup (Greenland)
"The English philosopher John Stuart Mill made clear that local governments are essential part of the democratic government because they increase the opportunities for participation … Local authorities have considerable power, as local knowledge, interests and perspectives to make it more likely that greater efficiency can be achieved."
The Mayor of Akureyri Eiríkur Björn Björgvinsson (Iceland)
Local government in the circumpolar region has a special role – to deliver essential public services; convey the priorities of residents at the most fundamental level to state, national and international decision-makers; and work to ensure that the community itself is resilient and sustainable in the long term."
Arctic Resilient Cities Network
"Mayors in the North want to lead, to create resilient societies for our people. The local governmental voice is necessary to shape the future for both the Arctic and the world."
The Mayor of Bodø, Ida Pinnerød (Norway)
And this is what it is all about: Bringing together local leaders for global change.
