MODEL ARCTIC COUNCIL 2016
Sustainable Development Working Group
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Friday, March 11, 2016
Agenda
Meeting Objective: To develop a project proposal to be presented to and approved by Senior Arctic Officials
1. Project: Reducing Suicide in Indigenous Groups – Strengths United through Networks (RISING SUN)
Background: Reducing the Incidence of Suicide in Indigenous Groups – Strengths United through Networks (RISING SUN) is designed as a follow-on activity to the Canadian-initiated mental wellness project of 2013-2015. Whereas the Canadian-initiated project focused on best practices from the literature and community-based interventions, RISING SUN is designed to take the next logical step: creating a common, science-based set of metrics to evaluate the key correlates and outcomes associated with suicide prevention interventions, across Arctic states. Common metrics, developed through an on-going engagement with Permanent Participants and community leaders, as well as mental health experts, will facilitate data sharing and pooling, evaluation, and interpretation of interventions across service systems. These metrics will aid health workers to better serve the needs of their communities while helping policy makers measure progress, evaluate the scale up of interventions, and identify impediments to implementation and cultural adaptability challenges. Arriving at common metrics and reporting systems is especially important in the Arctic, where the vast geography, significant number of remote communities, and breadth of cultural diversity, pose challenges for systematic approaches to suicide prevention.
1:30-1:45 P.M. Chair
· Introduction
· Chair’s welcome and announcements
· Approval of meeting agenda
· Introduction of RISING SUN project
1:45-2:20 P.M. Member States and Permanent Participants
· Statements on the RISING SUN project
2:20-3:00 P.M. Member States and Permanent Participants
· Round-table discussion on the RISING SUN project
o Background: During this portion of the agenda, the problem needs to be articulated and project leads need to be elected.
3:00-3:30 P.M. All
· Coffee break
3:30-5:00 P.M. Member States and Permanent Participants
· Round-table discussion on the RISING SUN project
o Background: During this portion of the agenda, the members will 1) identify the plan of action and solution, 2) identify specific objectives, 3) identify who is responsible for various components of the project, and 4) establish a timetable. The members must formulate a Record of Decisions (a negotiated text to be presented to the SAOs) on the RISING SUN project.
5:00-5:15 P.M. Observers
· Statements on RISING SUN project
o Background: Observers are encouraged to provide statements on their expertise and possible engagement in the project.
5:15-5:30 P.M. Chair
· Closing announcements
5:30 P.M. All
· Meeting adjourns
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