Nordic Connections

This project explored two issues that threaten contemporary society — catastrophic climate change and nuclear disaster — through dialogue and mutual creative enquiry by young people, university researchers, partner organisations and individual members of the local island communities. The project linked two communities, the island of Unst in Shetland and two islands, Onøy and Lurøy in northern Norway. The islands share histories as well as a deep concern for the future viability of our planet. Through the course of the project we also learned about a range of other issues and qualities linked to daily life.

Partner organisations included: Baltasound Junior High School, Unst; Nord Universitet, Campus Nesna; Northern Isles Community Development, Shetland Islands Council; Onøy/Lurøy Skole; Centre for Island Creativity, UHI Shetland; Moray College UHI; Unst Heritage Centre.

As part of the project a prototype game was produced, developed by Finlay MacDonald. Content for the prototype has been created by participants in the project and includes a film, audio recordings of memories of the Cold War Period in Unst when the Royal Air Force was based there, excerpts from the presentation researchers from Nord Universitet, Campus Nesna gave for all participants about marine debris and micro plastics; drawings by all the participating pupils recording their thoughts about microplastics and marine debris; historical and contemporary photographs; and stills from the film Countdown by Cold War Projects. Not all browsers will support the graphics in the Prototype, including Safari.

Arctic Connections