TAIMI Researcher Participates in UArctic Congress 2026 in the Faroe Islands
TAIMI Researcher Contributes to International Dialogue at UArctic Congress 2026
Dr. Shahnaj Begum, researcher in the TAIMI project at the University of Helsinki and the NetCare Project at the University of Turku, participated in the UArctic Congress 2026, held in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands. The congress brought together researchers, policymakers, professionals, Indigenous representatives, and community leaders from across the Arctic region and beyond to address pressing issues related to sustainable development, health and wellbeing, climate change, inclusion, and international cooperation.
As part of the congress programme, Dr. Begum contributed to two panel sessions, sharing research insights and engaging in discussions on inclusion, wellbeing, and education in diverse and changing societies.
Healthy Ageing for All in the Arctic
On 26 May, Dr. Begum participated in the session Healthy Ageing for All in the Arctic. The session explored the health and wellbeing of older adults in urban and rural Arctic communities and examined how demographic change, climate change, environmental challenges, and socio-economic transformations shape ageing across the region.
The panel brought together experts from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Greenland to discuss innovative and community-engaged approaches to supporting healthy ageing and creating a more sustainable and inclusive future for Arctic populations. Dr. Begum delivered a research presentation as part of the expert pitch talks and contributed to the subsequent panel discussion.
Innovative Rural Education in the Digital Era
On 27 May, Dr. Begum participated in a symposium and panel discussion presenting the forthcoming edited volume Innovative Rural Education in the Digital Era (Bloomsbury Academic).
The session explored how educators, researchers, and communities are responding to global challenges through technology-enhanced, multicultural, and inclusive learning environments. Contributors shared perspectives on digitalisation, multilingual learning, intercultural competencies, and educational equity across rural and Indigenous contexts. The discussion highlighted how rural communities can serve not only as sites of challenge, but also as spaces of innovation, adaptation, and cultural richness. The symposium provided an opportunity to reflect on the transformative potential of inclusive and digitally supported education across geographical and cultural boundaries.
Participation in UArctic Congress 2026 provided a valuable platform for exchanging knowledge, strengthening international networks, and engaging in interdisciplinary dialogue on challenges that resonate strongly with the goals of the TAIMI project. The discussions underscored the importance of collaboration across countries, sectors, and disciplines in addressing issues related to inclusion, wellbeing, skills development, demographic change, and sustainable futures. Insights gained through these international exchanges will contribute to TAIMI’s ongoing work on diversity, inclusion, migrant integration, and the future of work in Finland.
TAIMI continues to engage actively with international research communities to ensure that its work contributes to both national and global conversations on creating more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable societies.