By Professor Dag Rune Olsen, Rector of UiT – The Arctic University of Norway & YERUN President
At the world’s northernmost university, Christmas time is the time of polar nights, lots of snow and coming together, both outside in nature and inside around hot beverages.
At UiT The Arctic University of Norway we recognise that we are fortunate, living in one of the world’s wealthiest countries, where the social safety net is wide, work/life balance is good and most of us live a life unburdened by the many challenges facing the world.
Still, we worry.
We worry for international conflicts and a seemingly unstable world economy. We worry for Europe’s future as a less progressive and inventive region.
We worry for the diminishing place of knowledge and research in our societies. We worry for the climate changes that we see in our own nature. We worry for rising oceans and a lessened focus on climate action.
We worry for the future of the Arctic, where the temperature is rising three to four times faster than in the rest of the world.
But we also have hope and determination.
We have hope that, through research and bold policies, we can understand and counteract these changes. Hope that new and old generations can come together and solve our pressing problems. Hope in international and inter-institutional cooperation, like YERUN.
Hope that we can bring brilliant and driven minds together for a higher purpose.
We have determination to continue our focus on the Arctic, educating new polar explorers. We have determination to understand the big and small challenges facing both our region and the entire globe. Determination to continue researching, talking, learning and discussing how the world can and will develop for the better of everyone.
Determination to be a change for good, to help our societies and communities through education and research. To counter-act those who wish to sow division and destroy others for their own gain.
Hope and determination that, just as we come together over a hot cup of cocoa in Christmas time, we will come together for our planet.
With hope of a joyful holiday and determination to make 2025 a remarkable year, UiT wishes you all a merry Christmas.