Youth engagement and capacity sharing at the the 4th Icelandic Seal Center Symposium
On the 19th of September, CAP-SHARE co-hosted the 4th annual research symposium at the Icelandic Seal Center (ISC). This special year marked the ISC's 20th anniversary. On this occasion, the symposium was expanded from looking specifically at seal research to explore a wider theme: the importance of building bridges of shared capacity between scientists, policymakers, and communities.
In the morning, scientists and youth met at the school to learn from each other. Dr. Sandra Granquist from the Marine and Freshwater Research center gave a presentation about seal research in Iceland, and scientists and youth presented posters on their research and interests to each other. Youth exchange participants from Denmark, Iceland and Turkey took part in a panel discussion to give their opinions and ideas on the role of environmental conservation and healthy nature for the future of their communities. The event also highlighted the importance of cultural exchange, with music from all ages and countries helping to break down language barriers and encouraging dialogue.
In the afternoon, community members, scientists and local government representatives gathered at the ISC museum in a more formal symposium format. All presentations reflected in some way about the importance of capacity sharing and knowledge exchange, whether it comes to promoting community well-being, effective community-based science, defining priorities for local environmental research and conservation, or designing regenerative tourism.
The 4th Icelandic Seal Center Symposium was co-organized by the CAP-SHARE project, Hólar University, The Icelandic Seal Centre, the Icelandic Institute of Natural History, the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, Húnaklúbburinn youth club, the Northwest Iceland Research Center, and Grunnskóli Húnaþings vestra school.
Browse photos from the event
Browse photos from the event
