Nikolay Rochev and Tor Gjertsen infront of the Museum of Izhma history

First of all I want to mention high level of arrangement of the Gargia conference, smooth coherence of business, study and cultural part.

During all the days of the conference competences and knowledge of the participants were creating special atmosphere for fruitful work and further development. All the presentations that were delivered have discovered different angles of modern issues of indigenous peoples. We got acquainted both with positive and negative aspects of projects that have been already implemented or are on the stage of development.

It was useful to see positive experience of manysided cooperation between municipalities, business, public, and academic communities. But steel there was a lack of analysis of negative or ineffective activities. In my opinion, careful examination of negative cases can prevent or minimize damages and risks in our future projects. 

Thanks to the fact that conference was held in a small indigenous community of Saami people, Gargia, and thanks to all arranged meetings at Saami Parliament in Karashok, meeting with the mayor of Tana municipality, mini-seminar with Elin Sabbasen, Leader of the Gaisa business park, we got a chance to experience the way of doing business and arranging things by local communities. We have seen what we wanted to see: active position, initiative and involvement of Saami people in development of their land and society.

And it’s especially important to emphasize the role of UArctic Thematic Network on Local and Regional development and the Leader, Tor Gjertsen, in this successful process. Years of creating of social and human capital via the Network has built up a solid foundation for sustainable development.

 The international level of the Gargia conference let us realize one important thing: different countries systematically face very similar challenges in the sphere of indigenous people issues, but what can be useful is the experience of each country in dealing with these challenges.

With no doubts, all the knowledge we have managed both to get and contribute during these 5 fertile days in October on the generous Norwegian land will serve as a solid basis for development of our native Izhma region and Izhvatas people.