22-27 April 2012, Montréal, Canada

From Knowledge to Action

Conference Program

The conference program includes four major program areas:

Area 1 - Science Highlights and Area 2 - Synthesis and Integration

Area 1 Chair: Dr. Ian Allison (Australia), International Association of Cryospheric Sciences,
Area 2 Chair: Dr. Louis Fortier (Canada), Scientific Director, ArcticNet,

Researchers from all disciplines of polar research are invited to present the latest science results from the Polar Regions, including highlights of IPY interdisciplinary research and ongoing polar research programs, in the numerous topical sessions organised as part of the Science Highlights and Synthesis and Integration program areas.

Themes explored in Areas 1 & 2 include:

• Polar regions and linkages to global systems and beyond.
• Past, present and future changes in the Polar Regions.
• Polar ecosystems, biodiversity and effects of human activities
• Polar changes: health, society, culture and resources
• New frontiers, technologies and data practices in polar research.

Area 3 - From Knowledge to Action

Chair: Ms. Danielle Labonté, (Canada), Fellow and Adjunct Professor, Circumpolar Affairs, Institute of Energy and Environment, School of Policy Studies, Queen's University,
Co-Chair: Dr. Paula Kankaanpää (Finland), Director, Arctic Centre University of Lapland,

Knowledge and Action are in constant dialogue: Discoveries create opportunities and human activity always raises new questions. Indigenous knowledge, policy-making, science, technological innovation, practitioners' experience and economic development in all their various forms challenge and test one another.

Area 3 sessions bring these different perspectives into a forum for discussion and provide an opportunity to gain insight into the production of knowledge and its translation into action.

Themes explored in Area 3 include:

• The knowledge-action interface: major lessons & findings emerging from the Polar Regions that require, and have potential for action.
• Creating the conditions for action: factors affecting who uses polar knowledge, when, where, how and for what purposes.
• Polar knowledge in action in sectors and projects: IPY findings that require, have potential for, or have resulted in action.
• Realizing knowledge-to-action in policies, management and decision-making processes at all levels: local to global.
• Enhancing knowledge to action: moving forward on maintaining collaborations and integrating knowledge.

Area 4 - Public Engagement, Education and Outreach

Chair: Ms. Linda Capper (United Kingdom), Head of Communications, British Antarctic Survey,

Scientific research outputs from IPY have deep significance, relevance and benefits to civil society. In the fourth program area of the IPY 2012 From Knowledge to Action Conference, participants from around the world will work to advance public engagement to further action on polar issues.

Themes explored in Area 4 include:

• Engaging the public in polar science and issues.
• Inspiring the next generation: fostering education and outreach initiatives on polar science.
• The role of the media in influencing political, business and societal decision-making.
• Engaging consumer society in the value of polar science for underpinning policy and business decisions relating to energy, climate and food security.
• Harnessing the power of digital media for citizen engagement in polar science.