Arctic Congress Bodø will be a significant event and the largest conference in the city's history. The event will include science, business, governance, education, and cultural elements. Some of the highlights are:

•  High-level plenaries and over 130 sessions
•  Creative Spaces for Indigenous Peoples
•  Pubinars, receptions, award ceremonies
•  Cultural walks and events, excursions, sightseeing

High-level plenaries and over 130 sessions

The congress' international programme committee received 215 scientific session proposals and selected 134, of which 118 are currently soliciting abstracts. 

Call for Abstracts is open.

We welcome abstracts for 118 sessions under the main themes:

• People of the North
• Sustainable economic development
• Climate and environment
• Oceans
• Other

The duration and format of the presentation (oral or poster) will be decided individually by the session convener(s) and subject to accepted number of abstracts. The sessions run either 60 or 90 minutes.

Abstract submission deadline is 5th January 2024 at 17:00 CET

The local planning committee, with members from The High North Center for Business and Governance, Nordland Research Institute, Nord University and UArctic is working on combining all the elements, the plenaries, accepted sessions and extra extracurricular activities. 
 
-Our job is to organize the venues for the sessions, coordinate them with other events, and ensure a varied programme for the congress participants. We accommodate a programme for students, researchers, the business world, politicians, and those interested in the northern regions.-says the local planning committee chair, Benedikte Kosmo Underland, at The High North Center for Business and Governance. 
 
-We expect over 1,000 participants. We expect to attract researchers and others who work and live in the Arctic and Northern regions.  It is important to the Congress to ensure Indigenous representation at all levels and that we acknowledge that the Congress takes place on Sámi land. -says Grete K. Hovelsrud at Nordland Research Institute and Nord University - and president of the International Arctic Social Sciences Association (IASSA).

More than just a congress venue

The congress will take place at multiple locations in the city centre, which will ensure that the participants can experience the city of Bodø – the 2024 European Capital of Culture. The main stage will be the Stormen Concert Hall and will host plenary sessions with debates and scientific keynotes. The business programme and 134 scientific sessions, with contributions from internationally recognized researchers. 
  
In addition to an academic programme, there will be exhibitions, film viewings, a pubinar, cultural trails around the city, DIY sightseeing and excursions. The local planning committee collaborates with cultural institutions, the business association in Bodø and the tourism industry to deliver an exciting programme to the audience and give something back to the city.
 
- We want to use the whole city for our congress. By providing activities outside of the congress program we can hopefully give something back to the citizens of Bodø and the local businesses. We are also eager to show off the beautiful Bodø surroundings and we are very excited to welcome everyone in May 2024 says Hovelsrud.

NRI's session at the congress

Researchers at Nordland Research Institute are organising several sessions at the upcoming Arctic Congress Bodø 2024:

• Session 2.3.4 Managing change in Arctic coastal communities: resources, practices, and livelihoods
  Convener: Grete Hovelsrud
  Co-convener: Anna G. Sveinsdóttir  
• Session 3.1.3 Respecting Indigenous peoples’ rights and enabling - (Re)Distribution of non-renewable resources for inclusive green industrial development in the Arctic.
  Convener: Suyash Jolly
  Co-conveners: Sophie Thériault, Gail Fondahl, Jarle Løvland, Åge Mariussen  
• Session: 3.5.1 Food security and emergency preparedness in the Arctic
  Convener: Hilde Halland
  Co-conveners: Carlo Aall, Frøydis Gillund, Bjørn Vidar Vangelsten, Marianne Vileid Uleberg  
• Session 4.1.11 Restoring sustainable food systems, livelihoods and ecosystems in the Arctic
  Convener: Majken Paulsen
  Co-conveners: Camilla Risvoll, Camilla Brattland, Julien Lebel, Maiken Bjørkan  
• Session 4.4.2 People with disabilities in the Arctic: Experiences and perspectives
  Convener: Birgit Pauksztat
  Co-conveners: Tove Mentsen Ness, Merete Kvamme Fabritius, Trond Bliksvær  
• Session 4.5.3 Inclusion for human resources and competence in the Arctic
  Convener: Karin Marie Antonsen
  Co-conveners: Merete Kvamme Fabritius, Guro Wisth Øydgard, Ann-Torill Tørrisplass, Lea Louise Videt  
• Session 5.18 The powers of maps in shaping human-nature relations in the Arctic
  Convener: Helena Gonzales Lindberg
  Co-convener: Camilla Risvoll  
• Session 2.2.1 Gazing at melting ice? Arctic tourism in transition, multi-sensory encounters in changing Arctic landscapes
  Convener: Thora Herrmann
  Co-conveners: Halvor Dannevig, Vesa-Pekka Herva, Kristin Løseth, Julia Olsen, Albina Pashkevich,Margareta Pintér, Carina Ren, Alix Varnajot  
• Session proposal 1.1.2: Peripheral Arctic Regions transitioning to more circular value systems in the management of plastic in the fisheries an aquaculture sector (Closed session)
  Chair and co-convener: Megan Palmer-Abbs, Herminia Din