This discussion will explore the impacts of US interest on Arctic regions within and outside of US jurisdiction. Increased attention to the advantageous natural resource deposits and strategic geography of these regions have come at the cost of native peoples and the environment. Climate change has destroyed many communities' livelihoods, forcing them to adapt to new conditions and find other means of survival. Additionally, the conversation will address what these foreign interests are and how they affect the environment around them.

Join Dr. Robert Orttung and Dr. Marya Rozanova-Smith in this conversation to learn about the recent attempts to protect these lands, while foreign powers compete for influence. The panelists are highly regarded experts on Arctic policy. Professor Orttung leads research efforts with the GW Alliance for a Sustainable Future and is the director of the Sustainability Research Institute. Dr. Rozanova-Smith was the founder and chairperson of the Center for Civil, Social, Scientific, and Cultural Initiatives “STRATEGIA” and served as a Galina Starovoitova Fellow for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution at the Kennan Institute, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

Date: Monday, April 13th

Location: Room 113, Elliott School 1st floor, George Washington University

Time: 7:00-8:30pm.

The event will be hosted by Delta Phi Epsilon, Professional Foreign Service Society, Eta Chapter