Session organiser: Michał Łuszczuk
Department of Social and Economic Geography, Institute of Socio-Economic Geography and Spatial Management, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin, Poland
Session description
The European Arctic region offers a unique and timely opportunity to explore the concept of borderscapes in a holistic manner. This session aims to contribute significantly to the theoretical, conceptual, and epistemological discussions around borderscapes, while also providing practical insights into the challenges and opportunities facing this critical region.
This session aims to explore the unique borderscapes of the European Arctic region, an area where the interplay of geography, culture, ecology, and geopolitics creates a complex and dynamic environment. This region, encompassing parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia, presents a compelling case study for understanding the multifaceted nature of borderscapes. The session will delve into how geographical, historical, political, and economic factors shape the social and cultural constructs of this border area, and how these factors impact the ecological and geopolitical landscapes. The presentations and discussions during the session are expected:
1) to provide a better understanding of the historical and contemporary dynamics of the European Arctic borderscapes,
2) to examine the ecological impacts of policies and practices on the ecosystems and wildlife in the bordering regions and states which are driven by the climate change as well as by geopolitical tensions and infrastructural developments,
3) to explore social and cultural exchanges and conflicts within the European Arctic borderscapes, including the indigenous peoples perspectives, migration patterns and cross-border collaborations, and
4) to discuss the geopolitical significance of the European Arctic borders in a current context of war in Ukraine and enlargement of NATO.
