PHOTOS FROM NORMAC SCHOOLS 6

NORMAC Schools 6 took place from Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th March 2022 at Norwich School, as well as at some beautiful and historic venues around Norwich. It was wonderful to gather together again in person two years on from NORMAC Schools 5! Thanks to the Covid pandemic, many of the delegates were new to model diplomacy in general and Model Arctic Council in particular, but they conducted themselves professionally and managed to reach consensus agreement on some tricky issues. Peruse the photos below to get a sense of the action, and read the wrap-up note on the Polar Aspect website.

NORMAC Director Dr Anthony Speca begins NORMAC Schools 6 with a strong ‘No to war!’ statement
Miss Co-Secretary officially opens proceedings, after which delegates enjoy a welcome dinner!
The next morning, delegates begin their negotiations in the beautiful and professional surrounds of The Norfolk Club
The AMAP Working Group settles down to business in the Norfolk Rooms…
…and the SDWG takes over the Library for their work
The delegate from Canada rises to speak in the AMAP meeting…
…whilst SDWG delegates prefer to conduct a seated, round-table discussion
Delegates use some of their refreshment breaks for additional informal negotiation
Meanwhile, the NORMAC Secretariat works hard to ensure a productive meeting…
…and enjoys a surprise visit from Norwich City Councillor and former Lord Mayor Martin Schmierer!
Delegates receive a summary of their discussions at the end of the day, to study in preparation for further talks
The next day, the Senior Arctic Officials meeting officially opens
The delegate from Norway stands to address his peers…
…as does the delegate from RAIPON
Diplomacy always goes better with coffee, cookies and camaraderie!
The view from the NORMAC Secretariat desk
As the SAO meeting progresses, it proves hard to overcome disagreements
The NORMAC Secretariat ponder a particularly thorny point
Delegates and Secretariat alike leave disagreements behind for an elegant diplomatic dinner at The Assembly House!
After dinner, delegates enjoy a stimulating presentation on the ‘Anthropocene Arctic’ from NORMAC Honorary Chair Dr Martin Mahony
The next morning, delegates reconvene for further SAO-level discussions
Much diplomatic work is accomplished in small-group discussion
The delegate from the Arctic Athabaskan Council stands to speak
Considerable work remains to iron out points of contention in the draft declaration…
…with delegates rather intensely reviewing the draft document!
Smiles suggest consensus is within reach…
…demonstrated in a unanimous vote on the sixth Norwich Declaration!
The delegate from the Gwich’in Council International expresses her satisfaction with the final agreement…
…and Mr Co-Secretary formally closes proceedings
The NORMAC Schools 6 Senior Secretariat reaching consensus on having had a very good conference!

PHOTOS FROM NORMAC SCHOOLS 5

NORMAC Schools 5 took place from Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th March 2020. Once again, it involved three full days of negotiation, as well as a number of beautiful and historical venues around Norwich in addition to that of our generous hosts at Norwich School. Some of this year’s delegates are true veterans, returning for their third annual conference in a row — and we’re humbled and delighted to have their staunch support! Peruse the photos below to get a sense of the action, and read the wrap-up note on the Polar Aspect website.

Mr Secretary officially opens the fifth NORMAC conference…
…followed by the Head Master of Norwich School, Mr Steffan Griffiths, who welcomes this year’s cohort of delegates
The next day, delegates meet in the historical precinct of Norwich’s Great Hospital…
…where the SDWG Working Group begins negotiations in inspiring surrounds
Not to be outdone, the EPPR Working Group nestles into a lovely Georgian boardroom…
…whilst the PAME Working Group gather beneath a celebration of NORMAC colours!
Meanwhile, visiting teachers are well catered for in their own lovely room
It’s a beautiful day for model diplomacy!
NORMAC Director Dr Anthony Speca confers with the NORMAC Secretary during a break in proceedings
On Saturday, delegates return to Norwich School to begin the SAO plenary meeting…
A draft resolution from the Working Group stage goes on the board…
…and the delegate from Sweden rises to begin negotiations
The delegate from the USA making an impassioned speech…
…followed by the delegate from Denmark
The delegate from the GCI in an equally impassioned reply…
…followed by the delegate from Canada!
Sweden and the USA seem to agree — but not necessarily anyone else!
Finland and Iceland in discussion with NORMAC Director Dr Anthony Speca during a break
After the break, the senior NORMAC Secretariat return to their desk ready to keep up with more wordsmithing
The delegate from Russia rising to a point…
…followed by the delegate from the ICC
The dynamic delegate from the AAC working hard to mediate consensus…
…which finally arrives!
One-on-one policy briefings are a special feature of NORMAC
Enjoying a fabulous gala dinner at The Assembly House after an intense day of negotiations!
The Ministerial meeting on Sunday is carried out mostly through informal negotiations and ‘shuttle diplomacy’
Finland and Sweden work through a particularly sticky point…
…whilst Canada does some serious redrafting of the declaration!
A round of applause as the declaration finally passes!
The senior NORMAC Secretariat reaching consensus on another successful conference!

PHOTOS FROM NORMAC SCHOOLS 4

NORMAC Schools 4 took place from Thursday 28th February to Sunday 3rd March 2019. It was the most extensive NORMAC yet, involving a third day of diplomatic meetings, and showcasing number of beautiful and historical venues around Norwich in addition to those of our longstanding and generous hosts at Norwich School. Peruse the galley of photos below to get a sense of the action, and read the wrap-up note on the Polar Aspect website.

NORMAC Secretariat staff awaiting the arrival of Delegates for the Opening Ceremony
NORMAC Director Dr Anthony Speca addressing Delegates in the historic surrounds of The Great Hospital
Happy birthday to NORMAC Deputy Director Mr Tom White!
The NORMAC Secretary officially opens the 2019 conference
The Head Master of Norwich School, host of NORMAC 2019, addresses Delegates and Advisors ahead of the Welcome Dinner
On Friday, the Working Groups convene in a Tudor-era house now occupied by Anteros Arts Foundation…
…where the SDWG Working Group gets quickly underway
The CAFF Working Group also got off to a swift start
The Delegate from Denmark speaks during a session of the AMAP Working Group
NORMAC Rapporteurs kept good pace with wordsmithing as Delegates drafted resolutions in Working Groups
The CAFF Working Group unwind during their afternoon break with a bit of Arctic-themed Kahoot!
The Chair of the AMAP Working Group looks unconvinced by an intervention from the Delegate from RAIPON!
On Saturday morning, the NORMAC Secretariat prepared for the Senior Arctic Officials’ meeting…
…putting their materials in order before Delegates arrived
With Delegates assembled, the Senior Arctic Officials’ meeting can begin…
…and the Delegate from Norway gets straight down to business!
The senior staff of the NORMAC Secretariat do their best to keep up as Delegates approve some clauses and amend others…
…whilst Delegates do their best to build consensus
The Senior Arctic Officials’ meeting revealed that considerable work remained to do before draft resolutions were ready for the Ministerial
The US Delegation in the thick of the action
The Delegate from the Arctic Athabaskan Council stands to address his peers…
…followed by the Delegate from Norway
The Canadian Delegation share a light moment during a break in the meeting for informal negotiations
At the Formal Dinner in the elegant Georgian ballroom of The Assembly House, Delegates are treated to a presentation on evidence-based policy-making by Dr David Rose of the University of East Anglia…
…and afterwards they pit their wits against NORMAC Deputy Director Mr Tom White and his tricky Arctic pub quiz!
On Sunday, Delegates reconvene for the Ministerial and start immediately back to work…
…amending draft resolutions further in an effort to build consensus
The US Delegation finds itself under some pressure to come to an agreement on a particularly difficult point!
Applause from the room followed as Delegates finally achieved consensus!
The senior staff of the NORMAC Secretariat bring the 2019 conference to a successful close!

PHOTOS FROM NORMAC SCHOOLS 3

NORMAC Schools 3 took place from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th February 2018, and it was the largest conference yet, involving nearly 50 Delegates hailing from 16 home countries. Peruse the photos below to get a sense of the action, and read the wrap-up note on the Polar Aspect website.

Delegates, advisors and guests begin to gather for this year’s conference
Tucking into the welcome dinner
The Secretary officially declares NORMAC 2018 open!
Delegates sit down to eat and mingle…
…and new friends are made!
Keynote speakers Ms Sarah Gavron and Mr David Katznelson, film-makers behind ‘The Village at the End of the World’
The next morning, Delegates gather in Working Groups – here AMAP is about to begin considering methane hydrates and climate change…
…and here the SDWG begins work on the question of Arctic broadband connectivity
After lunch, the meeting of Senior Arctic Officials begins
The US Delegation is all business!
The AAC Delegation is also hard at work
SAO discussions offer much for NORMAC Director Dr Anthony Speca to ponder!
The Delegate from the AAC rises to make a precise point
The Delegate from Denmark takes her turn to speak
When the matter comes to a vote, however, consensus remains elusive!
The Delegate from the ICC rises to help try to facilitate consensus
After lunch, the NORMAC Secretariat returns ready to support Delegates in achieving agreement…
…but Canada begs to disagree with the room!
The Norwegian Delegation has gone over today’s proposals with a fine-toothed comb
The Delegate from Finland looking for support for his attempt to build consensus
That evening, Delegates take a break from the hard work of diplomacy with a private screening of ‘Village at the End of the World’
The Swedish Delegation prepare for Sunday’s Ministerial meeting…
…whilst the NORMAC Secretariat show off our beautiful venue
Diplomacy always goes better with popcorn!
The Ministerial meeting gets underway
The Delegate from Iceland stands to speak…
…followed by the Delegate from Russia
The ICC and USA debate a point of disagreement
The Delegate from Norway stands to applause as he receives an award from his fellow Delegates
The senior members of the Secretariat bring NORMAC 2018 to a successful close!

PHOTOS FROM NORMAC SCHOOLS 2

NORMAC Schools 2 took place from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd April 2017, and involved over 30 Delegates from secondary schools in the UK and Spain.  Peruse the photos below to get a sense of the action, and read the wrap-up note on the Polar Aspect website.

Keynote speech by distinguished guest Ms Christine Kelly of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Polar Regions Department
Delegates get straight to business as the Working Groups convene — here AMAP consider Arctic wetlands and climate change
The Delegate from Iceland has arrived fully prepared
Delegates enjoy a break from the detailed work of crafting resolutions in Working Groups
Diplomacy is always better with cookies
Back in Working Groups, NORMAC rapporteurs help Delegates translate agreed positions into written resolutions for SAOs to consider…
…and after lunch the SAO meeting gets formally underway!
The NORMAC Secretary and Chief Rapporteur try to stay on top of SAO wordsmithing…
…but consensus can be difficult to achieve, with Canada and Russia sitting out an otherwise acceptable amendment
Delegates round off the first day of NORMAC meetings with a ghost-walk around Norwich Cathedral led by the Man in Black!
The Delegates from Denmark and the Saami Council work together to prepare for the Ministerial…
…whilst the Delegates from the GCI and ICC share a bit of informal strategising
NORMAC Director Dr Anthony Speca officially opens the Ministerial meeting…
…as Delegates gather on the second day of meetings
The Ministerial opens with quick agreement on the question of commercial fishing in the Arctic Ocean
The Delegate from Denmark stands on a point of privilege
The Delegate from Canada proposes a ‘super-amendment’ to salvage consensus on climate change and the protection of Arctic wetlands…
…sparking a flurry of proposals for the NORMAC Secretariat to post on the board
The Delegate from Sweden stands to speak…
…followed by the Delegate from RAIPON
Delegates take a break from the hard graft of building consensus with light relief from the Delegate from GCI
As the second half of the Ministerial gets underway, the Delegate from ICC stands on an objection…
…eliciting a swift response from the Delegate from the Saami Council
The Delegate from GCI attempts to find middle ground
The Delegate from Denmark working carefully on a proposed amendment to the resolution on Arctic educational opportunity…
…which despite a persuasive speech failed to pass
The Delegate from Russia surprises colleagues with a compromise on the use of indigenous languages in Arctic education…
…which finds real traction with support from the Delegate from the USA
Delegates happily reaching consensus!
The senior Secretariat staff bring NORMAC 2018 to a successful close

PHOTOS FROM NORMAC SCHOOLS 1

The first NORMAC conference ever held, NORMAC Schools 1 took place on Sunday 3rd July 2016, and it was an intimate but lively event.  Peruse the photos below to get a sense of the action, and read the wrap-up note on the Polar Aspect website.

Opening address by NORMAC Director Dr Anthony Speca
Keynote speech by distinguished guest Mr Matthew Willis of Global Affairs Canada
The delegates from Canada and Denmark get straight down to business as lobbying opens…
…as do the delegates from GCI, ICC and RAIPON
The delegate from Norway has arrived ready to negotiate…
…as has the delegate from Norway’s next-door neighbour
Building consensus can be a difficult exercise!
Whilst the delegates negotiate, NORMAC staff enjoy a bit of light discussion about China and the Arctic
The delegate from Iceland is the first to propose a resolution to her fellow SAOs
The delegate from AIA stands to speak
The delegate from Iceland trying to build consensus around her resolution…
…but delegates from the indigenous Permanent Participant organisations don’t seem convinced
Something has got the attention of the delegate from Russia!
The delegate from Canada’s turn to propose a resolution
The delegate from RAIPON stands to speak
The delegate from Canada working to build consensus around her proposal, which then passes
The delegates from Norway and Russia in a bit of a disagreement
Diplomacy is always better with cookies
The delegate from ICC is recognised to speak…
The delegate from RAIPON making her proposal regarding Marine Protected Areas in the Arctic…
…leading to some objections from the delegate from Russia
Finally, consensus seems achieved…
Until the delegate from Iceland begs to differ!
The delegate from Russia now intent on convincing his SAO colleagues…
…prompting another exchange of views with the delegate from RAIPON
After lunch, delegates gather again for the Ministerial
The delegate from Denmark kicks off with a speech in favour of the delegate from Canada’s resolution on combatting Arctic suicide
The delegate from GCI is recognised to speak
The chair and rapporteur of the Ministerial kept good order through a flurry of amendment proposals
The delegates and staff of NORMAC 2016 achieving consensus on having had a very good day!