Snowchange 2008 Programme

Here is the latest Snowchange 2008 Programme available.
UPDATED NOVEMBER 10th, 2008.

Several Indigenous and local delegations will travel to Mt. Taranaki in New Plymouth, Aoteoroa (New Zealand) for the fourth Snowchange Conference, from December 3rd to 7th 2008. Despite International financial crisis, elections in several countries and the uncertain context of global situation, we are going ahead with Snowchange 2008 which has been transformed into a “Snowchange Symposium 2008”. We have confirmed delegations from Inuit of Canada, Gwitchin of Canada, Snowchange Finns, Aboriginals from Australia, several Chukchi, Yukagir, Even and Evenki participants from Sakha-Yakutia as well as large Maori participation. Different international scientific institutions and conservation agencies will as well participate in the work of Snowchange 2008.

The organisers are very grateful for grants provided by the Walter and Duncan Foundation in Canada, JMK Fund in the USA as well as Tampere University of Applied Sciences for making travel possible for our delegations.

We have linked our work with the United Nations Indigenous Peoples Climate Change Assessment Process and the results will be published here in early 2009 in preparation for the Indigenous Peoples Summit on Climate Change in Anchorage, Alaska, USA in April 2009.

In December 2008 in recognition of the International Polar Year 2007-2008 Snowchange are working with Maori (Indigeneous peoples of Aotearoa) to organize a four day event ”Snowchange 2008”, devoted to Indigenous and local peoples discussions around the crucial themes of climate and ecological changes from their own perspectives.

The kaupapa of Snowchange  is to research the implications of change on indigenous knowledge – specifically, indigenous peoples in the Arctic Circle.

Te Hurihanga Haupapa Charitable Trust has been established to support the planning of this exciting hui which will include Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic Circle and other areas of the world with an interest and who are prepared to be responsible in proactive conservation pursuits in global change/snowchange.

Snowchange 2008 Objectives include;

1. To host a gathering of indigenous leaders from every part of the world to seeking solutions for ecological and environmental catastrophe caused by global warming.
2. To mobilize the knowledge, skills and expertise of indigenous leaders from every part of the world towards finding practical, effective and long term solutions.
3. To promote the collaboration of indigenous leaders and general community leaders to raise social, educational, scientific and political consciousness.
4. A collaborative approach by indigenous leaders and general community leaders to develop and implement pro-active intervention & maintenance strategies that provide long term sustainability, health and well-being to the planet.
5. Contribute to several on-going and new climate change research and policy frameworks, including IPCC of the UN, Indigenous Peoples Climate Assessment, Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Assessment, ECORA GEF Conservation Programme in the Russian Arctic.

Programme