POLAR PERSPECTIVES is now well underway, taking place at 15 venues across the country, in each of Canada's provinces and territories! This National IPY event is supported by the Government of Canada's International Polar Year Program, the Walter & Duncan Gordon Foundation, the Alliance of Natural History Museums of Canada, Students on Ice, the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and Canadian Geographic Magazine.



The Speaker Series consists of an evening lecture program delivered to a general audience by prominent scientists, writers, artists, filmmakers, adventurers and leaders. It is intended to give the audience the latest knowledge on the IPY, Arctic issues and their impact on both the northern and southern Canadian population. Topics range from environmental and cultural issues in the north to recent Polar research discoveries. A two-speaker format draws on local, national and international speakers at each venue. Each evening program includes special presentations, contests, and IPY-related booths and displays.

The Youth Forums are full-day educational programs providing secondary school students with a unique opportunity to learn about the Arctic ecosystem, northern issues, IPY, climate change, Antarctica, and much more. Video-conferencing throughout the Canadian Arctic is enabling northern youth to share their thoughts, stories and perspectives with other northern and southern youth regarding Health, Culture, Climate Change, Conservation, Sovereignty and Indigenous Rights. Participating students are tasked to answer
such questions as What does the Arctic mean to you?, and are being challenged to make IPY Commitments.

The free public lectures have been well attended with over 800 attendees and a variety of IPY speaker, including Dr. Louis Fortier, Director of ArcticNet; Dr. Elizabeth Peacock, Polar Bear Researcher for the Government of Nunavut; Geoff Green, Founder & Executive Director of Students on Ice; Karsten Heuer, Author of Being Caribou; as well as many other representatives from Canadian Museums, Universities and IPY projects.

The Youth Forums have been a resounding success! Over 350 students have participated in the 8 events so far, and we still have 7 more to go!Participating students have learned a great deal about the Polar Regions, the IPY, and have been motivated and inspired to become more engaged and to explore further opportunities.

Polar Perspectives has been receiving excellent media coverage across the country (CBC, CTV, various newspapers).

REMAINING POLAR PERSPECTIVES LECTURES  

November 13, 2008, Biodme, Montreal, Quebec
Le savoir traditionnel des Inuits, perception des changements climatiques
Dr. Alain Cuerrier -- Jardin Botanique