AICTA Background

The Arctic Information and Communications Technologies Assessment (AICTA) will provide baseline information and assist the Arctic Council, member states, Permanent Participants and Observers in identifying possible cooperative activities and projects in relation to ICT. 

As part of its continuing work with the Sustainable Development Working Group of the Arctic Council, the Institute of the North is collaborating on an Arctic Information & Communications Technologies Assessment for the eight nations comprising the Arctic Council. The assessment is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2008.

Interim co-chairs for the report include representatives from the University of Lapland (Finland) and the University of Alaska (USA).  A draft table of contents includes chapters on access – availability of ICTs in the Arctic, application, and the human dimension, including cultural and language issues, local needs and demand.  Case studies will help to identify gaps and trends, leading to recommendations for policy options.  

AICTA goals for a connected Arctic:   to increase the human and social capital in the North, to contribute to sustainable economic development in the High North, and to improve the quality of life in the Arctic.

Representatives of the Arctic Information and Communications Technologies Assessment were invited by Cisco Systems to participate in the Public Service Summit 2006, hosted by Cisco and the City of Stockholm. Specifically targeted to senior policy advisors and key decision makers in education, healthcare and government, the Public Services Summit help focus initiatives to use the Internet and networking technologies to change to way business is conducted global. Cisco Systems is a key participant in the AICTA and serves in an advisory role in the assessment.