From the Director Once upon a time there was a grand vision to
Arctic countries have walked in our corridors, a record establish in Rovaniemi something that Finland and number of visitors have seen our Arctic exhibition and actually the whole world had never seen: a new insti- successful scientific publications and projects follow tution with state-of-the-art premises and exhibitions, one after the other. Our way of operating, combining devoted entirely to increasing understanding about Arctic research and science communications, is a the Arctic region through research, outreach and unique and well-functioning model. activities. None of this would be possible without our Such visions can easily be doomed to fail for mul- greatest asset, a committed and professional pertiple reasons. This one, however, did not fail. In 2019, sonnel, coming here from many different countries the Arctic Centre celebrated its 30-year anniversary and backgrounds and creating a world class Arctic as a vibrant, international academic community with academic community. All of us were extremely a strong vision of the future: to delighted when one in our ranks, be a global forerunner in Arctic researcher Nafisa Yeasmin, was None of this would be research and science commuchosen as the Academic of the possible without our nication in social, political and Year in Finland. greatest asset, a committed environmental issues. 2019 was such a year that it and professional personnel. Our history and experience is even difficult to decide which give us the tools to reach our activities to pick out. Our 30 vision. In Arctic affairs, 30 years is a long time. When years anniversary celebrations were merged with the the Arctic Centre was founded, there was no Arctic biannual Rovaniemi Arctic Spirit Conference which Council, and the Arctic countries had not yet even met is establishing its position as Finland´s only regular on a ministerial level. In 2019, all foreign ministers of international Arctic policy and science conference. 4