The far North of Canada and the consequences of climate change – that is the theme of the trilingual conference “Der hohe Norden – The Far North – Le Grand Nord (Canada/Québec)”, which will take place on 27th and 28th November 2010 in the Überseemuseum, Bremen. The conference is being organized by the Bremen Institute for Canada and Québec Studies (BIKQS) in cooperation with the Canadian Embassy, the Canadian Government’s “Understanding Canada Program”, the General Delegation of the Government of Québec, the Überseemuseum Bremen and the University of Bremen.

During the conference, scientists from the Alfred Wegener Institute in Bremerhaven will present some of their research results on climate change. Besides this, political scientists and sociologists from Germany, Great Britain, Canada and Québec will hold talks on issues surrounding the sovereignty of the region and the future of the Inuit people. Prof. Dr. Thibault Martin from the Université du Québec en Outaouais is one of the speakers. Other topics include the cultural identity of the North Canadian territories reflected in the art, literature, film and languages, as well as the historical dimensions of the region and its peoples. The conference will include discussion on how these topics can be integrated in school curricula.

In addition to lectures and three film workshops, the accompanying cultural program features the theatre ensemble The Parlement of Foules from Faculty 10 of the University of Bremen under the direction of Michael Claridge. The working languages of the conference are German, English and French – interspersed with a smattering of Inuktitut. The conference addresses students of all Faculties as well as interested members of the public.
Details of the conference program can be found under the heading “Konferenz 2010“ at: http://www.fb10.uni-bremen.de/bikqs/