Youth Networking, Education and Communications Channels Across the Circumpolar Region

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) explores the communication channels, education opportunities, and networking patterns of youth across the circumpolar region. Based on a limited sample of 19 interviews and media scans, the study identifies a lack of youth-specific mainstream media, significant barriers to formal education in Northern Canada, and a reliance on personal, face-to-face interaction for effective engagement. The report highlights the role of the OOKPIK website in hosting directories of youth networks and media to improve connectivity among young Northerners.

• There is a complete absence of mainstream media vehicles specifically targeting a Northern youth demographic. While 180 media vehicles were identified across the circumpolar North, most target a general age bracket of 18 to 54.
• In-person interaction is the most critical communication mechanism for engaging Northern youth, with a strong preference for sitting and talking to listen to concerns and attending public meetings. While phone and fax are often preferred over e-mail for efficiency, establishing a personal relationship first is considered essential.
• Formal education in Northern Canada faces several barriers: curricula are often based on Southern provinces (Alberta or Quebec) and lack Northern culture and history; school schedules conflict with seasonal traditional learning like hunting; and teachers often lack cultural awareness of Northern communities.
• Experiential learning, or 'learning by doing' under the guidance of elders and parents, is the dominant educational orientation across much of the North, particularly in Canada and Iceland. In contrast, Russian informants indicated a stronger trend toward formal schooling, including evening schools.
• Internet access in remote Northern communities is often limited to shared facilities in schools or community centres, as home broadband was only becoming available in a few areas as of 2005. This creates inequities in access and hinders distance education and networking.
• Youth networking in the region often follows a 'hub and spokes' model, where one or two core individuals are responsible for all outreach. This structure threatens the sustainability of networks if the central 'hub' leaves, and is compounded by a general lack of experience in the technical management of databases and contact lists.
• The term 'young leader' was found to be problematic and potentially a barrier to engagement. Interviewees often felt uncomfortable with the label, viewing leadership as a political or bureaucratic role, and preferred terms describing youth who are 'actively involved' in their communities.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (n.d.). Youth Networking, Education and Communications Channels Across the Circumpolar Region. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/networks_youth_net.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. Youth Networking, Education and Communications Channels Across the Circumpolar Region. n.d. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/networks_youth_net.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=Youth Networking, Education and Communications Channels Across the Circumpolar Region |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/networks_youth_net.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopmentndyouth, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{Youth Networking, Education and Communications Channels Across the Circumpolar Region}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/networks_youth_net.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }