Publikationer

Communication | Formidling

Greenland, Denmark & America - a triangular relation that augurs benefits for Greenlanders. If that's the case, then... What do Greenlanders think of Mr. Trump's ideas for their island? What do Greenland's indigenous peoples & environmentalists think of America? Why did Denmark change Gree… Greenland, Denmark & America - a triangular relation that augurs benefits for Greenlanders. If that's the case, then... What do Greenlanders think of Mr. Trump's ideas for their island? What do Greenland's indigenous peoples & environmentalists think of America? Why did Denmark change Greenland's status from colony to province? Can Greenland survive economically as an independent nation? What is it like to live in Greenland? How do Greenlanders travel in Greenland? Who are Greenlanders anyway? Finally, is Greenland really that big? Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

Greenland has found itself at the center of international attention, with renewed U.S. interest, shifting power dynamics with Denmark, and a growing push for independence. Associate Professor Ebbe Volquardsen from the University of Greenland unpacks the complexities of Greenland’s evolving political… Greenland has found itself at the center of international attention, with renewed U.S. interest, shifting power dynamics with Denmark, and a growing push for independence. Associate Professor Ebbe Volquardsen from the University of Greenland unpacks the complexities of Greenland’s evolving political landscape and discusses Greenland’s strategic future amid U.S. tensions and Denmark’s stance. What lies ahead for this Arctic nation? Læs mere

Research | Forskning

This policy paper explores how the changing international security situation gives rise to hybrid threats and associated security and defence governance challenges in the North Atlantic. It foresees that hybrid threats are likely to continue to form a central aspect of security and defence issues in… This policy paper explores how the changing international security situation gives rise to hybrid threats and associated security and defence governance challenges in the North Atlantic. It foresees that hybrid threats are likely to continue to form a central aspect of security and defence issues in the region in the short-to-midterm future. Written as an anthology, this policy paper examines and assesses seven hybrid threats to the North Atlantic, which are related to cybersecurity, economic security, food security, influence campaigns, telecommunication infrastructure, fisheries, and foreign policy. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

The book, Foreign Policy in Greenland, sheds light on what kind of competencies Greenland has in IR and how Greenland undertakes foreign policy, while still being a self-governing territory underneath Danish jurisdiction. The book undertakes a systematic analysis of the foreign policy papers from 20… The book, Foreign Policy in Greenland, sheds light on what kind of competencies Greenland has in IR and how Greenland undertakes foreign policy, while still being a self-governing territory underneath Danish jurisdiction. The book undertakes a systematic analysis of the foreign policy papers from 2003-2023. What kind of acitivities are Greenland undertaken in international affairs? Can Greenland be an influential player in international relations? The book is of interest for those with an interest in international affairs and law as well as those with an interest in international politics and foreign policy. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

The Qimmeq (Greenland sled dog) has worked continuously with the Inuit in Greenland for more than 800 years. However, they now face drastic population declines caused by climate change, urbanization, and competition from snowmobiles. This study sequenced 92 modern and ancient genomes to investigate… The Qimmeq (Greenland sled dog) has worked continuously with the Inuit in Greenland for more than 800 years. However, they now face drastic population declines caused by climate change, urbanization, and competition from snowmobiles. This study sequenced 92 modern and ancient genomes to investigate how centuries of isolation shaped the regional Qimmeq populations and the impact of European contact. We found distinct regional populations and evidence for two migrations of dogs into Greenland with the Inuit from Canada. Furthermore, we found that there is minimal European ancestry in present day Qimmit and limited recent inbreeding despite low heterozygosity. These insights are critical for conservation efforts aimed at preserving the Qimmit amid environmental changes and cultural transitions. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

In northern and western Greenland, human–qimmeq (Greenlandic sled dog, Canis lupus familiaris) relationships are evolving rapidly amid profound environmental and social change. Although the number of sled dog teams is declining, qimmit continue to play a vital role in Inuit and Kalaallit life—not on… In northern and western Greenland, human–qimmeq (Greenlandic sled dog, Canis lupus familiaris) relationships are evolving rapidly amid profound environmental and social change. Although the number of sled dog teams is declining, qimmit continue to play a vital role in Inuit and Kalaallit life—not only as working animals but as active participants in practices of knowledge sharing, care, and identity formation. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork and interviews with hunters (piniartut), mushers, and cultural knowledge bearers, this article explores the contemporary roles of qimmit within Greenlandic society. It examines how these relationships support intergenerational transmission of cultural knowledge and belonging, while also negotiating tensions between lived practices and formal heritage frameworks. Situating qimmit within critical discussions of living heritage and human–animal relations, the article argues that qimmit are not merely cultural symbols, but relational beings embedded in adaptive, negotiated, and resilient practices central to Inuit and Kalaallit life. Læs mere

Research | Forskning

The essay examines the unique and complex role of sled dogs, known as qimmeq (singular, plural: qimmit), in Greenlandic culture, particularly in the context of polar bear hunting. Focusing on the artworks of Jacob Danielsen (1888-1938), a Greenlandic hunter and self-taught artist, and Harald Moltke… The essay examines the unique and complex role of sled dogs, known as qimmeq (singular, plural: qimmit), in Greenlandic culture, particularly in the context of polar bear hunting. Focusing on the artworks of Jacob Danielsen (1888-1938), a Greenlandic hunter and self-taught artist, and Harald Moltke (1871-1960), a Danish painter who documented Greenlandic life, it highlights the regional variations and adaptations in hunting practices across Greenland. This exploration serves to contextualize Arctic environments through visual and material culture, illustrating how these artworks offer insights into the human-dog relationship, Inuit resilience, and survival strategies in the challenging Arctic landscape. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

In 2022, Greenland, Canada, Denmark reached a historic agreement on the long-standing boundary disputes regarding Hans Island/Tartupaluk. We discuss the historical context and the content of the bargaining solution.

Research | Forskning

Through the methodological approaches of case studies and process tracing analysis, the PhD thesis examines how relations between the United States (U.S.) (a superpower) and Greenland (portrayed in the analysis as a small State-like polity) affects Greenland’s self-determination in times of increase… Through the methodological approaches of case studies and process tracing analysis, the PhD thesis examines how relations between the United States (U.S.) (a superpower) and Greenland (portrayed in the analysis as a small State-like polity) affects Greenland’s self-determination in times of increased international focus and tension in the Arctic. Employing Putnam’s two-level game theory (1998), and action space theories (Mouritzen 2006, Petersen 2005), the three analytical articles of the thesis conclude that Greenland’s action space is ambiguous: Greenland has widened its action space in relation to Denmark through deliberate, direct negotiations with the U.S., while the action space is delimited by the greater overall geopolitical conditions affecting the U.S. interests in Greenland, as they change due to the homeland security interests of the U.S. The thesis examines how and when Greenland’s action space is widened or limited by external and internal factors in the trilateral Greenland-Denmark-U.S. relationship. The analysis furthermore discusses how the three parties engage in a new form of interlocking, two-level game, where Greenland and the U.S. engages more directly as opposed to Greenland formerly engaging Denmark from a subnational position. In the interlocking two-level game, Greenland is positioned equally to Denmark and the U.S., and by navigating well-known incentives for bargaining for win-sets, the three parties interlock each other in a new form of two-level game. This happens as each of their interests at level one (international negotiations) overlap, while each fulfils the interests of their constituents at level two (domestic level), making it possible to sign agreements. The thesis analyzes the increasingly direct cooperation and relationship between Greenland and the U.S., carved out as Greenland has demanded a greater say towards Denmark on foreign policy, security and defense affairs. The thesis analysis is based on case studies of events taking place from 2014 to 2021, where all three actors are at play in different ways. The analysis employs a rationalist theoretic approach to negotiations between Greenland and the U.S., and in some cases between Greenland, the U.S. and Denmark. The thesis includes a constructivist backdrop in the form of two chapters laying out the historical relationships between Greenland and Denmark, and between Greenland and the U.S. The first background chapter establishes the norms, roles and legitimacy of Greenland as an independent actor, while the second background chapter analyzes the relationship seen through the lens of U.S. securitization acts towards Greenland during the past two centuries. The empirical as well as theoretical findings of the thesis contribute to a better understanding of how Greenland has navigated its action space in times of increased geopolitical tension in the Arctic. It provides insight into the decision-making processes in Greenland’s engagements with the U.S. and Denmark, including the thinking behind its decisions and political aspirations. The process tracing analysis leads to a causal graph displaying the steps needed for Greenland to engage more directly and bilaterally with the U.S., but the question of Denmark’s involvement is a paradox in this new relationship because the need for Denmark’s involvement is viewed differently by the parties involved from case to case. The thesis concludes that Greenland is balancing a thin line of self-determination by testing its action space, and that Denmark, sometimes deliberately, sometimes not, supports Greenland’s wider room for maneuverings. The thesis includes a discussion of how this analysis contributes to a decolonial approach to International Relations (IR) studies by employing an understanding of Greenland acting as a State-like polity, engaging in negotiations analyzed with a rationalist approach that previously has been applied to sovereign States. It furthermore includes an outlook beyond the timeframe of the study, based on the expressions of U.S. geopolitical interests in Greenland taking place as the thesis was finalized in the spring of 2025. Læs mere

Research | Forskning

In February 2024, Greenland published a strategy for foreign, security and defense policy. Now, less than two years later, the strategy may be revised to adapt the (con)text in light of geopolitical complexities since the start of 2025 and the new coalition government formed in Greenland after the I… In February 2024, Greenland published a strategy for foreign, security and defense policy. Now, less than two years later, the strategy may be revised to adapt the (con)text in light of geopolitical complexities since the start of 2025 and the new coalition government formed in Greenland after the Inatsisartut election in March. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

This article compares the self-government system in Greenland in Denmark and territorial governance in Nunavut, Canada in relation to the management of natural resources through the perspective of historical institutionalism. Both territories have undergone processes of re-empowerment, and possess m… This article compares the self-government system in Greenland in Denmark and territorial governance in Nunavut, Canada in relation to the management of natural resources through the perspective of historical institutionalism. Both territories have undergone processes of re-empowerment, and possess major assets of natural resources, and the struggle for self-determination has triggered their metropolitan states (Denmark and Canada) and regional governments to consider some form of self-government. However, two different solutions have appeared due to gradual development through path dependency as legislation and form of government. Nunavut is a territory within the Canadian federal construction, based on Indigenous claims, while Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Danish unitary state. The land claims in Canada have given Nunavut some influence in the management of its natural resources, while Greenland has taken control of its subterranean resources through extended self-government implemented in 2009. This article will highlight the resource policy similarities and differences of the two territories via three potential explanatory factors: historical background, self-government, and the management of natural resources as a point of departure. The findings show that both regions have similarities in historical background and the management of natural resources, but there are also significant differences in how local authorities have addressed mining projects. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

As a political focal point, the Pituffik Space Base (“Pituffik”) has played a decisive role in deepening relations between Greenland and the United States. To shed light upon these relations, both between the two internally and with regard to Denmark, this article analyses the 2020 negotiations rega… As a political focal point, the Pituffik Space Base (“Pituffik”) has played a decisive role in deepening relations between Greenland and the United States. To shed light upon these relations, both between the two internally and with regard to Denmark, this article analyses the 2020 negotiations regarding Pituffik and the positions of the three parties in both the final agreement and the process of negotiation. The theoretical framework of the analysis is an interlocked two-level game analysis following Putnam (1988); the study is based upon 12 interviews with key figures, media coverage, and on the negotiated agreements themselves. The article argues that Greenland and the United States, although being an odd couple as a small state-like self-governing nation and a global superpower, conducted a new, interlocking two-level game, reaching win-sets and common interests while changing the way the parties negotiate and sign agreements. Thus, the article concludes that the 2020 negotiations about the base inaugurate a change in the overall relationship by positioning Greenland in a new and more direct relationship with the United States. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

In this article, we present the history of social work education in Greenland, from a professional training school in 1985 to a university BA-level education in 2008 and onwards to the present day. Mainly, we discuss how the education of Greenlandic social workers continually reflects on the decolon… In this article, we present the history of social work education in Greenland, from a professional training school in 1985 to a university BA-level education in 2008 and onwards to the present day. Mainly, we discuss how the education of Greenlandic social workers continually reflects on the decolonising elements of the curriculum. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

In order to understanding public attitudes towards people with disabilities in Greenland and analyse how to facilitate further empowerment, a national survey was produced in 2020. The results from the survey showed a clear difference in attitudes towards people with either physical or mental disabil… In order to understanding public attitudes towards people with disabilities in Greenland and analyse how to facilitate further empowerment, a national survey was produced in 2020. The results from the survey showed a clear difference in attitudes towards people with either physical or mental disabilities. The survey ‘Holdninger til Handicap’ (attitudes towards disabilities), which was carried out by Tilioq (the spokesperson institution for people with disabilities) and Ilisimatusarfik Centre for Arctic Welfare, included almost 1,000 responses. Respondents had a more positive view of people with physical disabilities than those with mental disabilities. Furthermore, the survey highlights a prejudice among respondents in relation to dating or having intimate relationships with a person with a disability or mental disability. Despite the respondents’ divided view of having an intimate relationship with people with disabilities, there was more openness to accepting people with a physical disability in a position of power (e.g. politicians or managers). However, the respondents were not willing to accept people with mental disabilities in positions of power. The study in Greenland is the first to explore barriers and attitudes towards people with disabilities in non-intimate and intimate social relationships and power relationships. The study provided knowledge to support decision-makers and NGOs in informing society in general about physical and mental disabilities and the rights of disabled people in Greenland in relation to empowerment and further inclusion. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

In order to understanding public attitudes towards people with disabilities in Greenland and analyse how to facilitate further empowerment, a national survey was produced in 2020. The results from the survey showed a clear difference in attitudes towards people with either physical or mental disabil… In order to understanding public attitudes towards people with disabilities in Greenland and analyse how to facilitate further empowerment, a national survey was produced in 2020. The results from the survey showed a clear difference in attitudes towards people with either physical or mental disabilities. The survey ‘Holdninger til Handicap’ (attitudes towards disabilities), which was carried out by Tilioq (the spokesperson institution for people with disabilities) and Ilisimatusarfik Centre for Arctic Welfare, included almost 1,000 responses. Respondents had a more positive view of people with physical disabilities than those with mental disabilities. Furthermore, the survey highlights a prejudice among respondents in relation to dating or having intimate relationships with a person with a disability or mental disability. Despite the respondents’ divided view of having an intimate relationship with people with disabilities, there was more openness to accepting people with a physical disability in a position of power (e.g. politicians or managers). However, the respondents were not willing to accept people with mental disabilities in positions of power. The study in Greenland is the first to explore barriers and attitudes towards people with disabilities in non-intimate and intimate social relationships and power relationships. The study provided knowledge to support decision-makers and NGOs in informing society in general about physical and mental disabilities and the rights of disabled people in Greenland in relation to empowerment and further inclusion. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

On 14 June 2022, an agreement between Canada and the Kingdom of Denmark, together with Greenland, resolved the long-standing dispute over the sovereignty of Hans Island (which is known as Tartupaluk in Greenlandic) by creating a land boundary.

Research | Forskning - peer review

In February 2024, Greenland published a strategy on foreign, security, and defense policy. The strategy had been eagerly awaited for several years. The novel strategy aims to secure a stable foreign policy direction for Greenland for a decade and signal intents to multiple audiences. The Kingdom of… In February 2024, Greenland published a strategy on foreign, security, and defense policy. The strategy had been eagerly awaited for several years. The novel strategy aims to secure a stable foreign policy direction for Greenland for a decade and signal intents to multiple audiences. The Kingdom of Denmark had to delay their common strategy (or, policy) for the entire realm until the Greenlandic strategy was published, while other Arctic states have been curious on the priorities of the strategy. In this briefing note, we outline the historical and (geo)political context of the strategy. We then move on to discuss some of the main items of the strategy by emphasizing the relative of weight of certain areas over others (US and North American Arctic over EU and Denmark), security and defense policy, and climate policy, and, thirdly, sketch out the implications of these priorities for Greenland’s (geo)political aspirations and diplomatic relations. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

Abstract in English Outreach Work Focuses on the Person Behind Homelessness By Kevin Perry & Steven Arnfjord - Ilisimatusarfik’s Centre for Arctic Welfare This article explores how municipalities can improve outreach social work, focusing on addressing homelessness in Greenland. A central goal… Abstract in English Outreach Work Focuses on the Person Behind Homelessness By Kevin Perry & Steven Arnfjord - Ilisimatusarfik’s Centre for Arctic Welfare This article explores how municipalities can improve outreach social work, focusing on addressing homelessness in Greenland. A central goal of the Greenlandic government’s homelessness strategy is the establishment of street units to build trust and provide support to individuals experiencing homelessness. However, institutional challenges, including bureaucratic processes and limited resources, hinder the effectiveness of such efforts. A lack of outreach work often leads to feelings of dehumanization among marginalized individuals, exacerbating stress, depression, and mistrust toward public systems. The article emphasizes that outreach social work is crucial for re-establishing trust and supporting individuals out of homelessness. Recommendations include implementing the Housing First approach, tailoring shelters to specific groups, and focusing on reintegration and education for youth. Municipalities are urged to prioritize trust-building practices and adopt inclusive, human-centered strategies to combat homelessness. The authors highlight these themes in upcoming training modules on street-level and shelter-based outreach, which Ilisimatusarfik will offer for free in 2025-2026. The training aims to equip practitioners with tools for proactive, trust-based outreach work as part of the Greenlandic government’s broader homelessness strategy. Abstract in Danish Opsøgende arbejde fokuserer på mennesket bag hjemløsheden Af Kevin Perry & Steven Arnfjord - Ilisimatusarfiks Center for Arktisk Velfærd Denne artikel undersøger, hvordan kommunerne kan forbedre opsøgende socialt arbejde med fokus på hjemløshed i Grønland. Et centralt mål i Naalakkersuisut hjemløsestrategi er etablering af gadeenheder for at skabe tillid og støtte til mennesker i hjemløshed. Dog står offentlige institutioner overfor udfordringer som bureaukrati og manglende ressourcer, hvilket begrænser indsatsen. Manglende opsøgende arbejde kan føre til, at udsatte borgere føler sig dehumaniserede, hvilket forstærker stress, depression og mistillid til systemet. Artiklen understreger, at opsøgende socialt arbejde er afgørende for at genskabe tillid og hjælpe borgere ud af hjemløshed. Anbefalingerne inkluderer anvendelse af Housing First-metoden, tilpasning af herberger til specifikke målgrupper og fokus på reintegration og uddannelse af unge. Kommuner opfordres til at prioritere tillidsopbyggende praksisser og implementere inkluderende, menneskecentrerede strategier for at bekæmpe hjemløshed. Forfatterne fremhæver disse temaer i kommende kursusmoduler om gadeplan- og herbergsarbejde, som Ilisimatusarfik tilbyder gratis i 2025-2026. Kurset sigter mod at ruste praktikere til proaktivt og tillidsbaseret opsøgende arbejde som en del af Naalakkersuisut hjemløsestrategi. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

The mediated Arctic analyses the multiple relations between geography and cultural production that have long shaped - and are currently transforming - the circumpolar world. It explores how twenty-first-century cultural practitioners imagine and poeticise various elements of Arctic geography, and in… The mediated Arctic analyses the multiple relations between geography and cultural production that have long shaped - and are currently transforming - the circumpolar world. It explores how twenty-first-century cultural practitioners imagine and poeticise various elements of Arctic geography, and in doing so negotiate pressing environmental, (geo)political, and social concerns. From the plasmatic force of ice in Disney's Frozen films to the spatial vocabulary of circumpolar Indigenous hip hop, it addresses Arctic geographical imaginaries in a wide range of media, including literature, cinema, comic books, music videos, and cartographic art. The book brings together a plurality of voices from within and outside the circumpolar North, both in terms of the works analysed and in its own collaborative scholarly practice. The book bridges Indigenous and Southern mediations of the Arctic and combines different epistemologies to do justice to these imaginaries in their diversity. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

The mediated Arctic analyses the multiple relations between geography and cultural production that have long shaped - and are currently transforming - the circumpolar world. It explores how twenty-first-century cultural practitioners imagine and poeticise various elements of Arctic geography, and in… The mediated Arctic analyses the multiple relations between geography and cultural production that have long shaped - and are currently transforming - the circumpolar world. It explores how twenty-first-century cultural practitioners imagine and poeticise various elements of Arctic geography, and in doing so negotiate pressing environmental, (geo)political, and social concerns. From the plasmatic force of ice in Disney's Frozen films to the spatial vocabulary of circumpolar Indigenous hip hop, it addresses Arctic geographical imaginaries in a wide range of media, including literature, cinema, comic books, music videos, and cartographic art. The book brings together a plurality of voices from within and outside the circumpolar North, both in terms of the works analysed and in its own collaborative scholarly practice. The book bridges Indigenous and Southern mediations of the Arctic and combines different epistemologies to do justice to these imaginaries in their diversity. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

This article explores the legal arguments and historic claims regarding the return of archives to the Peoples in the Arctic about whom they pertain. It calls for international lawyers to work with archival theorists and practitioners to explore the law of decolonisation and its potential application… This article explores the legal arguments and historic claims regarding the return of archives to the Peoples in the Arctic about whom they pertain. It calls for international lawyers to work with archival theorists and practitioners to explore the law of decolonisation and its potential application to cases of displaced archives in the Arctic. Peoples in the Arctic who have experienced colonisation have outstanding claims – some formalised, others latent – to return of records compiled by colonial authorities about them. Their claims differ in important ways from historic precedents from other parts of the world, in particular, those of newly independent States. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

This is the second and final report in the research project “Sustainable value chains in Nordic coastal communities (NorValue)”. The project was carried out in the period 2020-2023 as a collaborative organization between six Nordic universities and research institutions: University of Greenland, Uni… This is the second and final report in the research project “Sustainable value chains in Nordic coastal communities (NorValue)”. The project was carried out in the period 2020-2023 as a collaborative organization between six Nordic universities and research institutions: University of Greenland, University of Akureyri, Icelandic Regional Development Institute, University of Faroe Islands, Nordland Research Institute, and Roskilde University. From these six institutions, both reports were written by the same team of researchers. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Mortuary archaeology and bioarchaeology increasingly recognize that the mortuary record indexes not only past societies’ understandings of death but also a wider set of experiences and practices bearing on an extended life course and ontology more broadly. The process of “being-toward-death,” the ex… Mortuary archaeology and bioarchaeology increasingly recognize that the mortuary record indexes not only past societies’ understandings of death but also a wider set of experiences and practices bearing on an extended life course and ontology more broadly. The process of “being-toward-death,” the experience of dying, a community’s participation in this process and subsequent handling of the corpse, the ongoing relations of the living with the material remains, the memory traces of the deceased in a burial cairn, and the local biologies illuminated by bioarchaeology, all constitute elements of a “necrontology” that was a core component of the culturally figured life course. Here the mortuary records from two parts of the Inuit world—northern Labrador and Southwest Greenland—are characterized in terms of their implications for such a necrontology of Inuit groups. While there appear to have been pan-regional patterns, idiosyncratic mortuary treatments also occur, warranting that archaeologists revisit, in appropriately community-sensitive ways, a record increasingly threatened by climate change. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

The article examines the role of the mining industry in the economies of Ukraine and Greenland, emphasizing its impact on economic growth, job creation, and infrastructure development. Ukraine has rich resources, in particular coal and iron ore, which provide domestic needs and exports. Greenland, o… The article examines the role of the mining industry in the economies of Ukraine and Greenland, emphasizing its impact on economic growth, job creation, and infrastructure development. Ukraine has rich resources, in particular coal and iron ore, which provide domestic needs and exports. Greenland, on the other hand, shows potential due to its mineral and oil reserves, but faces environmental challenges and needs for infrastructure upgrades. Both countries face challenges such as the environmental impacts of extraction, which require adaptation of technologies and resource management strategies. The article also analyzes the research of Ukrainian and international scientists who investigate the effectiveness of resource management in the face of global challenges. Comparing the approaches of Ukraine and Greenland may reveal best practices for improving economic sustainability. The study focuses on the need to adapt to new conditions, particularly in the context of wartime conditions in Ukraine, and aims to find out how countries cope with the consequences of the extractive industry. The paper highlights the importance of balancing economic benefits and environmental risks, highlighting the need for new management strategies to ensure long-term sustainability. Læs mere

Research | Forskning

This Working Paper outlines some of the main arguments and debates regarding Free Association in a Greenlandic context, and what possibilities and unclarities these have generated.

Research | Forskning - peer review

This article examines the conceptualization of nation-building in Greenland, challenging conventional views on sovereignty and suggesting an imminent emergence of an alternate governance model in the Arctic region. Drawing on the decoloniality perspective, we explore the Inuit myth, which suggests a… This article examines the conceptualization of nation-building in Greenland, challenging conventional views on sovereignty and suggesting an imminent emergence of an alternate governance model in the Arctic region. Drawing on the decoloniality perspective, we explore the Inuit myth, which suggests a unique connection of the Inuit to the Arctic environment and asserts their status as natural stewards of the region with special rights based on their cultural and political identity. We argue that this understanding of sovereignty has important implications not only for its departure from conventional Western notions of state formation but also for its potential to create alternative governance structures that do not reinforce existing political hegemonies from the “West”. We further analyze how the legacy of colonialism in Greenland has impacted power and gender relations in the region and has fueled a distinctive sense of nationalism that differs from those seen in the West. The article discusses how the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) is playing a major role in promoting an alternative political legitimacy model against the conventional approach of nation-building. We note that the ICC depends on the maintenance of political myths which have evolved over time. We conclude by suggesting that conventional perspectives on state formation must be revised to incorporate the historical experiences and knowledge of Indigenous peoples, and that further exploration of alternative governance structures is needed. Læs mere

Research | Forskning

This chapter describes the findings from a survey study on student experience of public schooling in Greenland. The goal of the study is to identify variables that influences students’ perspectives on schooling and on subjects. Findings from the study reveal that students are happy about school, but… This chapter describes the findings from a survey study on student experience of public schooling in Greenland. The goal of the study is to identify variables that influences students’ perspectives on schooling and on subjects. Findings from the study reveal that students are happy about school, but at the same time they experience a traditional approach to teaching, that is primarily based on reading in books and answering questions. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

Greenland, the world’s largest island, has more than 50 settlements and towns scattered along the coastline, from Siorapaluk in the very north to Aappilatoq more than 2.100 km further south. The vast distances between settlements pose logistical challenges for both schools and for teacher education.… Greenland, the world’s largest island, has more than 50 settlements and towns scattered along the coastline, from Siorapaluk in the very north to Aappilatoq more than 2.100 km further south. The vast distances between settlements pose logistical challenges for both schools and for teacher education. Greenland has immense social problems; many children grow up in homes with alcoholism, abuse and violence. The cultural distance between pupils and schooling is often also an issue. Many school-related challenges concern schools’ management, and teachers’ competencies. Teacher shortage, especially in smaller settlements, is a significant problem. Furthermore, teachers are expected to teach a variety of subjects that they are not trained to teach. On top of the challenges to primary and lower secondary schooling, there is a lack of Greenlandic teachers at the higher secondary school level, caused by the unavailability of sufficiently educated teachers from Greenland. Moreover, teacher education faces challenges in creating the conditions needed for interaction between theory and practice. The country has a colonial past but attained self-rule status in 2009. The purpose of this chapter is to explore the evolution of Greenlandic education and further explore the development of Greenlandic teacher education and its challenges. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

This study explores the purposeful interbreeding of Greenland sled dogs and Arctic wolves in Avanersuaq, North Greenland. The paper is based on qualitative data gathered during extensive interviews using North Greenlandic/Polar Inuit dialects and Kalaallisut in North and West Greenland and from rele… This study explores the purposeful interbreeding of Greenland sled dogs and Arctic wolves in Avanersuaq, North Greenland. The paper is based on qualitative data gathered during extensive interviews using North Greenlandic/Polar Inuit dialects and Kalaallisut in North and West Greenland and from relevant literature on the relationships between dog sled driver, sled dog, and Arctic wolf, including genetic studies of Greenland sled dogs. The intent of the study is to understand the human practice of interbreeding sled dogs and wolves in Greenland. Among Greenlanders, it is widely believed that the Greenland sled dog and the Arctic wolf once mated and have had offspring, and that these hybrids have been transformed into Greenland sled dogs. Somehow, today’s storytelling of the wolf-dog is taking the shape of a myth. The question remains: If it did happen, how did it begin and how did it end, and what is the truth behind the story? We thus take a qualitative approach to investigating this phenomenon of the interbreeding of Greenland sled dogs and Arctic wolves. Results show that the Arctic wolf and the Greenland sled dog have indeed crossed paths and have been purposefully interbred, which has resulted in documented cases of wolf-dogs in the sled dog communities of North Greenland. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Greenland is a self-declared welfare society. In the present-day political discussions around independence, welfare is, paradoxically, a cornerstone in the political understanding of the country - and at the same time we see a lack of activity concerning new legislation, countrywide welfare strategi… Greenland is a self-declared welfare society. In the present-day political discussions around independence, welfare is, paradoxically, a cornerstone in the political understanding of the country - and at the same time we see a lack of activity concerning new legislation, countrywide welfare strategies or communicated municipal social policies. Greenland is facing severe challenges when it comes to key areas such as cross-sectional efforts in stabilizing the social services concerning children, adolescents and families. We are experiencing a rise in violence against women, poverty and homelessness with an increase in Greenlanders leaving the country in search for better futures in Denmark. Historically, the social political focus was on children - together with widowers and the elderly. They formed the basis need for social services. Well-functioning adults, historically men, were the patriarchs of a society centered around hunting - in a Durkheimian mechanic system, where every member of the community had an important function. The shift from hunting to fishing in the 1910s coincided with a grand municipal plan, designed by the colonial power of Denmark, and called for structured social services. In modern times, the social policies of Greenland have officially been a matter of the Greenlandic people (since the Homerule Act of 1979). However, a more in-depth look at Greenland’s social history reveals a somewhat autonomous decision-making process since 1968. In light of a modern call for social political awareness, this chapter discusses the challenges of implementing Greenlandic social policies with a longitudinal focus. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

In this chapter, we examine the ways in which socio-structural forms—particularly social difference and social policy—frame the reproduction of houselessness and homelessness amongst Greenlanders in Nuuk, Greenland. In addition to examining the forms of marginalization embodied by Greenlanders exper… In this chapter, we examine the ways in which socio-structural forms—particularly social difference and social policy—frame the reproduction of houselessness and homelessness amongst Greenlanders in Nuuk, Greenland. In addition to examining the forms of marginalization embodied by Greenlanders experiencing housing insecurity, we suggest that rising urban homelessness in Greenland represents the social dimensions of resettlement, rural-urban migration and social welfare institutionalization in local processes of urbanization. Moreover, the absence of specific social policy attention towards homelessness in general, and towards marginalized single adults specifically, is especially concerning. This policy gap serves to reproduce rural-urban homeless geographies in Greenland and between Greenland and Denmark, resulting not only in an increasing number of Greenlanders experiencing housing insecurity, but also in institutional geographies of homeless mobility that reflect persistent colonial relations embedded in resettlement and institutionalized social welfare. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Climate change leads to the deposition of substantial amounts of sediment along the coasts of Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) amid rapidly growing global demand for these resources. Yet, little is known about what the predominantly Inuit population of Kalaallit Nunaat thinks about adaptation opportunit… Climate change leads to the deposition of substantial amounts of sediment along the coasts of Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) amid rapidly growing global demand for these resources. Yet, little is known about what the predominantly Inuit population of Kalaallit Nunaat thinks about adaptation opportunities arising from the melt of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Here we conduct a nationally representative survey (N = 939) of Kalaallit (Greenlanders’) views on glacially derived sand extraction, finding that large majorities support extracting and exporting sand but oppose foreign involvement. This pattern of support persists at both the national and subnational levels. Public preferences largely align with Kalaallit Nunaat’s current mineral policy mandating environmental and economic impact assessments of new resource opportunities. In addition, those aware of human-caused climate change have significantly higher odds of both supporting sand extraction and prioritizing environmental impact assessment. Our results reveal broad support for domestically involved, environmentally assessed and economically appraised opportunistic adaptation to Greenland’s melting ice sheet and accumulating sand resources. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

On 14 June 2022, an agreement between Canada and the Kingdom of Denmark, together with Greenland, resolved the long-standing dispute over the sovereignty of Hans Island (which is known as Tartupaluk in Greenlandic) by creating a land boundary. We discuss the Whiskey War-ordeal and the recent bargai… On 14 June 2022, an agreement between Canada and the Kingdom of Denmark, together with Greenland, resolved the long-standing dispute over the sovereignty of Hans Island (which is known as Tartupaluk in Greenlandic) by creating a land boundary. We discuss the Whiskey War-ordeal and the recent bargaining solution. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Since 1993, regular population health surveys in Greenland have supported and monitored the public health strategy of Greenland and have monitored cardiometabolic and lung diseases. The most recent of these surveys included 2539 persons aged 15+ from 20 communities spread over the whole country. The… Since 1993, regular population health surveys in Greenland have supported and monitored the public health strategy of Greenland and have monitored cardiometabolic and lung diseases. The most recent of these surveys included 2539 persons aged 15+ from 20 communities spread over the whole country. The survey instruments included personal interviews, self-administered questionnaires, blood sampling, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, ECG, oral glucose test, pulmonary function, hand grip strength and chair stand test. Blood samples were analysed for glucose, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin, incretin hormones, cholesterol, kidney function, fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes and mercury, urine for albumin-creatinine ratio, and aliquots were stored at −80°C for future use. Data were furthermore collected for studies of the gut microbiome and diabetes complications. Survey participants were followed up with register data. The potential of the study is to contribute to the continued monitoring of risk factors and health conditions as part of Greenland’s public health strategy and to study the epidemiology of cardiometabolic diseases and other chronic diseases and behavioural risk factors. The next population health survey is planned for 2024. The emphasis of the article is on the methods of the study and results will be presented in other publications. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Seersholm et al. analysed permafrozen middens from Inuit and Viking settlements to uncover evidence of diet in prehistoric Greenland. Using ancient DNA, they identified 42 different species and found that whales were surprisingly common. The success and failure of past cultures across the Arctic wa… Seersholm et al. analysed permafrozen middens from Inuit and Viking settlements to uncover evidence of diet in prehistoric Greenland. Using ancient DNA, they identified 42 different species and found that whales were surprisingly common. The success and failure of past cultures across the Arctic was tightly coupled to the ability of past peoples to exploit the full range of resources available to them. There is substantial evidence for the hunting of birds, caribou and seals in prehistoric Greenland. However, the extent to which these communities relied on fish and cetaceans is understudied because of taphonomic processes that affect how these taxa are presented in the archaeological record. To address this, we analyse DNA from bulk bone samples from 12 archaeological middens across Greenland covering the Palaeo-Inuit, Norse and Neo-Inuit culture. We identify an assemblage of 42 species, including nine fish species and five whale species, of which the bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) was the most commonly detected. Furthermore, we identify a new haplotype in caribou (Rangifer tarandus), suggesting the presence of a distinct lineage of (now extinct) dwarfed caribou in Greenland 3,000 years ago. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Greenland experienced a 5-week lockdown during the COVID-19 crisis. The lockdown effectively took out all public social support and food supply for people experiencing homelessness in the capital Nuuk. This woke up Greenland’s social conscience in the form of a local NGO’s mobilization of voluntary… Greenland experienced a 5-week lockdown during the COVID-19 crisis. The lockdown effectively took out all public social support and food supply for people experiencing homelessness in the capital Nuuk. This woke up Greenland’s social conscience in the form of a local NGO’s mobilization of voluntary social helpers. Luckily nobody in the homeless environment got infected and suffered needlessly. From a social policy perspective, we can take three experiences away from the pandemic. Firstly, a clear learning experience from this crisis was the need to redefine the broad societal understanding of Greenland a country with a universal welfare system. The second experience was that social work comes in many shapes and forms. Finally, the experience illustrated what could take place when the political and administrative system are too slow to react in times of crisis. It kickstarted the civil society step up and help fellow citizens. In the end NGO’s need to reports back and inform the public system to ensure better social emergency response in the future. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

This article describes the historical development of media policy in Greenland, and the shifts in the underlying normative and causal ideas that legitimise media policy. I argue that media policy reflects changes in Greenland’s political system. Specifically, under colonial rule, Greenlandic media w… This article describes the historical development of media policy in Greenland, and the shifts in the underlying normative and causal ideas that legitimise media policy. I argue that media policy reflects changes in Greenland’s political system. Specifically, under colonial rule, Greenlandic media was state run and media was seen as an instrument to educate the population. Gradually, with the introduction of home rule, a paradigm shift took place, whereby media was seen as a vital instrument to strengthen Greenlandic language and identity. At the same time, normative ideas of media independence appeared which called for institutionalisation of the arm’s length principle. Due to the influence and institutional spill-over from Denmark, I argue, Greenlandic media policy fit rather well into the “Nordic media model” although media policy in Greenland is mostly formulated without long-term or broad political agreements. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

This study compares the media systems of the West Nordic countries, namely the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Iceland. All three countries are democratic welfare states with considerable institutional transfer from the larger Nordic countries. It is argued that the West Nordic media systems fit into… This study compares the media systems of the West Nordic countries, namely the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Iceland. All three countries are democratic welfare states with considerable institutional transfer from the larger Nordic countries. It is argued that the West Nordic media systems fit into the “Nordic model” when it comes to the perception of media as cultural institutions as well as the central role of public service media. On the other hand, the micro-size of the media systems in the West Nordic countries makes them vulnerable, and makes editorial independence more difficult compared with their larger Nordic neighbours. In particular, media outlets within these micro-size media systems seem more susceptible to clientelism, and journalists seem more inclined towards self-censorship. This article highlights how interplay between small size and distinct local factors shape the media system in each of the West Nordic countries. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

According to the narratives transmitted through media and political discourse, climate change reduces the ice coverage in the Arctic and enhances shipping and other forms of maritime activities. Especially, expectations of an increasing level of transit shipping between Asian, especially Chinese, po… According to the narratives transmitted through media and political discourse, climate change reduces the ice coverage in the Arctic and enhances shipping and other forms of maritime activities. Especially, expectations of an increasing level of transit shipping between Asian, especially Chinese, ports and ports in Europe and North America is dominant. Evidence, however, tells that the numbers of transit shipping through the Arctic Ocean are very limited, and dominated by European shipping companies. For Greenland, political expectations have also been high, since Greenland has been seen as "strategically" situated in relation to new shipping routes in the Arctic, But, again, the actual development has been moderate and not related to international transits but conditions in Greenland itself. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Reindeer herding and husbandry in Greenland has a short history. While the hunting tradition is much older and has always been part of the Greenlandic tradition (specifically, the hunting of indigenous Greenlandic caribou), reindeer husbandry was first established in mid-west Greenland and later in… Reindeer herding and husbandry in Greenland has a short history. While the hunting tradition is much older and has always been part of the Greenlandic tradition (specifically, the hunting of indigenous Greenlandic caribou), reindeer husbandry was first established in mid-west Greenland and later in southern Greenland in the 1950s. The introduction of semi-domestic reindeer from Norway was established in 1952 due to a drop in the indigenous reindeer population throughout the 1920s to 1940s. This chapter outlines the story of reindeer herding in Greenland and its failures and relative successes. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Hyperthyroidism was frequent among Inuit and the occurrence of hypothyroidism was low. The pattern of hyper- and hypothyroidism among Greenlandic Inuit with adequate iodine intake was comparable with those seen in populations with iodine deficiency. Inuit may thus have adapted to excessive iodine in… Hyperthyroidism was frequent among Inuit and the occurrence of hypothyroidism was low. The pattern of hyper- and hypothyroidism among Greenlandic Inuit with adequate iodine intake was comparable with those seen in populations with iodine deficiency. Inuit may thus have adapted to excessive iodine intake over centuries, causing a need for a higher iodine intake to prevent iodine deficiency disorders. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

On February 25, 2019, the International Court of Justice issued its advisory opinion on Legal Consequences of the Separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965. The judges held by a majority of 13:1 that the process of decolonisation of Mauritius is incomplete, owing to the separation… On February 25, 2019, the International Court of Justice issued its advisory opinion on Legal Consequences of the Separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965. The judges held by a majority of 13:1 that the process of decolonisation of Mauritius is incomplete, owing to the separation of the Chagos Archipelago shortly before Mauritian independence, that the United Kingdom should end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible, and that all Member States of the United Nations should cooperate to complete the decolonisation of Mauritius. The (partial) decolonisation of Mauritius in 1968 and the treatment of the Chagos islanders (Chagossians) have important parallels with the purported decolonisation of Greenland in 1952–54. In both cases, the consultative body of the colonised people was neither fully independent nor representative of all the people concerned. No real choice was given to either body; rather the colonial power offered only the continuation of the status quo or professed self-determination on terms defined by the colonial power itself. Furthermore, the process of decolonisation was inherently linked to the forcible transfer of people in order to make way for a United States military facility. Nevertheless, there are some relevant differences. First of all, Greenland was purportedly decolonised in 1953, some seven years before the UN General Assembly Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (UNGA Res. 1514(XV) 1960). Second, the UN General Assembly accepted the Danish government’s representations regarding the full decolonisation of Greenland (UNGA Res. 849 (1954), in contrast to their position regarding Mauritius that decolonisation was and remains incomplete, owing to the separation of the Chagos Archipelago (UNGA Res(XX) 1965). Third, though the Chagossians have been recognised as indigenous at the UN, the British government has continually denied this status and (mis)characterises them as a transient people, while Denmark has accepted the status of the Greenlanders as both an indigenous people and a colonial people, entitled to self-determination. This article examines the implications for the judgment for the Greenland case as well as broader questions of self-determination of peoples. It concludes that the colonial boundaries continue to govern in decolonisation cases, with the consequence that the Greenlanders are likely to be held to be a single people; that the erga omnes character of the right to self-determination means that all States must cooperate to facilitate Greenlanders’ choices for their future; and that there remain significant procedural hurdles that prevent colonial and indigenous peoples having their voices heard, even in the matters that concern them most of all. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

We describe findings from an exploratory study on Greenlandic and Canadian preservice teachers’ (PSTs’) views on climate change teaching and teacher education programs. Greenland and Canada are experiencing more rapid warming than the global average. Climate resilience is thus of great importance an… We describe findings from an exploratory study on Greenlandic and Canadian preservice teachers’ (PSTs’) views on climate change teaching and teacher education programs. Greenland and Canada are experiencing more rapid warming than the global average. Climate resilience is thus of great importance and climate change needs to be taught to foster innovations and adaptation and to prepare young citizens to be engaged participants in policy debates about mitigation. Forty-five PSTs at the University of Greenland and Lakehead University answered a survey comprised mainly Likert Scale and open-ended questions. We found that PSTs need more knowledge about climate change, while, across disciplines, almost all would like to teach climate change and believe that preparing to do so should be a part of initial teacher education. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

The paper demonstrates how the evolution of international law on colonial and indigenous peoples, in particular evolving rights to sovereignty over natural resources, shaped the changing relationship between Greenland and the rest of the Danish Realm. Greenland today is in a unique position in inter… The paper demonstrates how the evolution of international law on colonial and indigenous peoples, in particular evolving rights to sovereignty over natural resources, shaped the changing relationship between Greenland and the rest of the Danish Realm. Greenland today is in a unique position in international law, enjoying an extremely high degree of self-government. This paper explores the history, current status and future of Greenland through the lens of international law, to show how international obligations both colour its relationship with the Kingdom of Denmark and influence its approaches to resource development internally. It considers the invisibility of the Inuit population in the 1933 Eastern Greenland case that secured Danish sovereignty over the entire territory. It then turns to Denmark’s registration of Greenland as a non-self-governing territory (colony) in 1946 before Greenland’s-purported decolonisation in 1953 and the deficiencies of that process. In the second part of the 20th century, Denmark began to recognise the Greenland Inuit as an indigenous people before a gradual shift towards recognition of the Greenlanders as a people in international law, entitled to self-determination, including the right to permanent sovereignty over their natural resources. This peaked with the Self-Government Act of 2009. The paper will then go on to assess competing interpretations of the Self-Government Act of 2009 according to which the Greenland self-government is the relevant decision-making body for an increasing number of fields of competence including, since 1 January 2010, the governance of extractive industries. Some, including members of the Greenland self-government, argue that the Self-Government Act constitutes full implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP 2007), but this view is not universally shared. The paper also considers the status and rights of two Greenland minorities: the North Greenlanders (Inughuit) and the East Greenlanders, each of whom has distinct histories, experiences of colonisation, dialects (or languages) and cultural traditions. While the Kingdom of Denmark accepts the existence of only one indigenous people, namely, the Inuit of Greenland, this view is increasingly being challenged in international fora, including the UN human rights treaty bodies, as the two minorities are in some cases considered distinct indigenous peoples. Their current position in Greenland as well as in a future fully independent Greenland is examined, and the rights that they hold against the Greenland self-government as well as the Kingdom of Denmark explored. Greenland’s domestic regime for governance of non-renewable natural resources (principally mining and hydrocarbons) is briefly analysed and compared with international standards, with a particular emphasis on public participation. The paper assesses the extent to which it complies with the standards in key international instruments. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

This chapter presents results from a project about leadership in Greenland. It discusses how leaders in Greenlandic organizations legitimize decisions in territories of interactions. The research focus on how Greenlandic leaders at times are challenged by the tight relationship in the small society… This chapter presents results from a project about leadership in Greenland. It discusses how leaders in Greenlandic organizations legitimize decisions in territories of interactions. The research focus on how Greenlandic leaders at times are challenged by the tight relationship in the small society but also how the tightness supports close and fruitful interactions where leaders qualify and legitimize decisions related to quality, business development, and future actions. The findings demonstrate how the leaders legitimize actions and decision in their local networks and how this relates to and develops their everyday practice. Læs mere

Research | Forskning

Five and a half years after its first appearance as a printed book in 2014, the transdisciplinary anthology The Postcolonial North Atlantic: Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, edited by Professor Lill-Ann Körber (Aarhus Universitet) and Associate Professor Ebbe Volquardsen (Ilisimatusarfik),… Five and a half years after its first appearance as a printed book in 2014, the transdisciplinary anthology The Postcolonial North Atlantic: Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, edited by Professor Lill-Ann Körber (Aarhus Universitet) and Associate Professor Ebbe Volquardsen (Ilisimatusarfik), came out in an open-access second edition today. Stored on the document server of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, the book can from now on be downloaded free of charge by anyone. Whereas a new preface, written by the editors, has been added, the articles in the volume have not been changed or amended since the first edition, and thus reflect the state of the art of the first half of the 2010s. Yet, the texts remain relevant and topical in that they provide fundamental insight into negotiations of the postcolonial status of the North Atlantic nations, and into manifestations of their interconnected, often competing, histories in literature, language, politics, art, fashion, and public discourse. They invite to comparative investigations into the region’s past and present as seen from its diverse and distinct viewpoints, and to explorations of this part of the Nordic region from a joint critical postcolonial perspective. It is the editors’ hope that The Postcolonial North Atlantic will find many curious new readers and re-readers among students, scholars, and the broader public; and we look forward to continued discussions and North Atlantic journeys. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

For at afgøre om et monument bør bevares eller ej, må man diskutere, om det stadigvæk bidrager til fortællingen om et fælles vi, skriver lektor i kulturhistorie Ebbe Volquardsen.

Research | Forskning - peer review

This chapter reviews historical and contemporary processes of state-sanctioned resettlement and urbanization in the Greenlandic context, with a particular focus on the consequences of passive and overt urbanization policies on geographies of homelessness.

Research | Forskning

This book intends to inform the key participants in extractive projects – namely, the communities, the host governments and the investors – about good practice for effective community engagement, based on analysis of international standards and expectations, lessons from selected case-studies and in… This book intends to inform the key participants in extractive projects – namely, the communities, the host governments and the investors – about good practice for effective community engagement, based on analysis of international standards and expectations, lessons from selected case-studies and innovations in public participation. The extent of extractive industries varies widely around the Arctic as do governmental and social attitudes towards resource development. Whilst most Arctic communities are united in seeking investment to fund education, healthcare, housing, transport and other essential services, as well as wanting to benefit from improved employment and business opportunities, they have different views as to the role that extractive industries should play in this. Within each community, there are multiple perspectives and the goal of public participation is to draw out these perspectives and seek consensus. Part I of the book analyses the international standards that have emerged in recent years regarding public participation, in particular, in respect of indigenous peoples. Part II presents six case studies that aim to identify both good and bad practices and to reflect upon the distinct conditions, needs, expectations, strategies and results for each community examined. Part III explores the importance of meaningful participation from a corporate perspective and identifies some common themes that require consideration if Arctic voices are to shape extractive industries in Arctic communities. In drawing together international law and standards, case studies and examples of good practice, this anthology is a timely and invaluable resource for academics, legal advisors and those working in resource development and public policy. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

On February 25, 2019, the International Court of Justice issued its advisory opinion on Legal Consequences of the Separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965. The judges held by a majority of 13:1 that the process of decolonisation of Mauritius is incomplete, owing to the separation… On February 25, 2019, the International Court of Justice issued its advisory opinion on Legal Consequences of the Separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965. The judges held by a majority of 13:1 that the process of decolonisation of Mauritius is incomplete, owing to the separation of the Chagos Archipelago shortly before Mauritian independence, that the United Kingdom should end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible, and that all Member States of the United Nations should cooperate to complete the decolonisation of Mauritius. The (partial) decolonisation of Mauritius in 1968 and the treatment of the Chagos islanders (Chagossians) have important parallels with the purported decolonisation of Greenland in 1952–54. In both cases, the consultative body of the colonised people was neither fully independent nor representative of all the people concerned. No real choice was given to either body; rather the colonial power offered only the continuation of the status quo or professed self-determination on terms defined by the colonial power itself. Furthermore, the process of decolonisation was inherently linked to the forcible transfer of people in order to make way for a United States military facility. Nevertheless, there are some relevant differences. First of all, Greenland was purportedly decolonised in 1953, some seven years before the UN General Assembly Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (UNGA Res. 1514(XV) 1960). Second, the UN General Assembly accepted the Danish government’s representations regarding the full decolonisation of Greenland (UNGA Res. 849 (1954), in contrast to their position regarding Mauritius that decolonisation was and remains incomplete, owing to the separation of the Chagos Archipelago (UNGA Res(XX) 1965). Third, though the Chagossians have been recognised as indigenous at the UN, the British government has continually denied this status and (mis)characterises them as a transient people, while Denmark has accepted the status of the Greenlanders as both an indigenous people and a colonial people, entitled to self-determination. This article examines the implications for the judgment for the Greenland case as well as broader questions of self-determination of peoples. It concludes that the colonial boundaries continue to govern in decolonisation cases, with the consequence that the Greenlanders are likely to be held to be a single people; that the erga omnes character of the right to self-determination means that all States must cooperate to facilitate Greenlanders’ choices for their future; and that there remain significant procedural hurdles that prevent colonial and indigenous peoples having their voices heard, even in the matters that concern them most of all. Læs mere

Research | Forskning

Brugernes oplevelse af det grønlandske sundhedsvæsen: En pilotundersøgelse

Center for Folkesundhed i Grønland har i sommeren 2019 gennemført en kvalitativ pilotundersøgelse, der har undersøgt borgernes oplevelse af det grønlandske sundhedsvæsen. Formålet med undersøgelsen har været at give et indblik i, hvordan adgangen til sundhedsvæsenet opleves af borgerne, og hvad der… Center for Folkesundhed i Grønland har i sommeren 2019 gennemført en kvalitativ pilotundersøgelse, der har undersøgt borgernes oplevelse af det grønlandske sundhedsvæsen. Formålet med undersøgelsen har været at give et indblik i, hvordan adgangen til sundhedsvæsenet opleves af borgerne, og hvad der er vigtigt for borgerne, når de møder sundhedsvæsenet som brugere. Dermed giver undersøgelsen os et vigtigt grundlag for at arbejde videre med udviklingen af et langsigtet og nationalt design for øget brugerinddragelse og brugerevaluering i det grønlandske sundhedsvæsen - et grundlag, der tager udgangspunkt i borgernes egne perspektiver, og som er kulturel relevant. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

The four Nordic island societies of the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and the Åland Islands have great differences both culturally and historically as to how, and to what extent, they have achieved autonomy/independence. At the same time, in some areas they have more in common with each other th… The four Nordic island societies of the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and the Åland Islands have great differences both culturally and historically as to how, and to what extent, they have achieved autonomy/independence. At the same time, in some areas they have more in common with each other than with the other Nordic countries: Living conditions, with a dependence on nature. Small communities, with a prominent visibility and dependence on each other, where daily life is subject to strong traditions. And, to various degrees, the struggle for autonomy and independence. Despite the four island societies being more or less independent parts of Nordic society, two of these, the Faroe Islands and the Åland Islands, have hardly been mentioned within criminological contexts. And no attempts have been made to look at these four areas collectively. In order to more closely investigate the Nordic island societies within a criminological context, a group of researchers decided to focus on crime, incarceration and control in the four Nordic island societies. This report is the first result of the working group’s work. The Scandinavian Research Council for Criminology has supported the working group both in the publication of this report and in connection with travels to three of the four island societies. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Pituffik or Thule in Greenland has always been controversial within foreign and security policy between three parties: Denmark,Greenland and the USA. The Thule-base in Greenland has had an important role during the Cold War as part of the US military sphere in the North. The role of the base has cha… Pituffik or Thule in Greenland has always been controversial within foreign and security policy between three parties: Denmark,Greenland and the USA. The Thule-base in Greenland has had an important role during the Cold War as part of the US military sphere in the North. The role of the base has changed over time to become a radar station, but it is still part of the overall US defense system. Recent tensions around the base regarding the contract and subcontractor’s role have intensified discussions about the existence of the base and who actually has power over the base. The Greenlandic government has had awish to be more influential on what is going on in the far north, but things have been held secret from the public and local politicians. This has resulted in some skepticism between Greenland and Denmark on the one hand, but also between Greenland and the USA on the other. This paper will shed light on the development from the bilateral to the trilateral relationship outplayed between the three major actors and how this relates to foreign and security policy within the Kingdom of Denmark and the relationship towards the USA. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Greenland is a case of a delegation model, where powers from the state have been delegated in a step-wise manner from time to time. The model used by Denmark and Greenland in their relationship is based on negotiations between the two governments. Usually commissions are established with an equal nu… Greenland is a case of a delegation model, where powers from the state have been delegated in a step-wise manner from time to time. The model used by Denmark and Greenland in their relationship is based on negotiations between the two governments. Usually commissions are established with an equal number of representatives from each side. This is illustrated by the two autonomy referendums, which this article focuses on. In a time of a political awakening period from the 1960s through the 1970s voices for more autonomy was on the agenda, which led to the first autonomy referendum back in 1979. After 20 years of Home Rule, while Greenland had fulfilled the Home Rule Act new negotiations were taken place in order to enhance the self-government. This led to the second autonomy referendum in 2008 with the implementation of the Self-Government Act in 2009. Greenland is now in a process towards further autonomy or even outright independence. Læs mere

Research | Forskning

This toolkit is written as a guide for communities and researchers who would like to conduct research in Greenland through a collaborative and equitable partnership. It is also a resource for anyone conducting research projects in Greenland to educate them on the relationship between research that t… This toolkit is written as a guide for communities and researchers who would like to conduct research in Greenland through a collaborative and equitable partnership. It is also a resource for anyone conducting research projects in Greenland to educate them on the relationship between research that takes place in Greenland and its impact on communities. Additionally, this toolkit is a guide for Greenlanders who want to gather more information about research and how research partnerships may benefit their communities. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

In this article we combine two traditions within political science: regional party research and selfgovernment research. The reason behind this rationale is to show that mobilization of the electorate is solely in the hands of regional parties in the three autonomous islands under investigation: the… In this article we combine two traditions within political science: regional party research and selfgovernment research. The reason behind this rationale is to show that mobilization of the electorate is solely in the hands of regional parties in the three autonomous islands under investigation: the Faroe Islands, Greenland and the Åland Islands. We use most similar systems design as an approach to look at how the different party systems have evolved over time. The degree of entrenched self-rule has been different over time but is now on a similar level. The background variables that have been held constant in this context are the population size and the degree of a distinct culture and language, which emanates from a homogenous population on the islands. A distinct party system can evolve exclusively around a national parliament and an entrenched regional assembly. In our study regional parties are members of both. Self-government has a severe impact on the birth of regional parties, and their incumbents serve in the first instance as agents for the regional government in national parliaments. In this study we have chosen to look at the impact of entrenched self-government on regional parties and regional party systems. Self-government facilitates birth of new parties, and when the devolved government is well consolidated it gives fuel to the emergence of a distinct full-scale party system. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Mineral extraction is pursued in Greenland to strengthen the national economy. In order that new industries promote sustainable development, environmental impact assessments and social impact assessments are legally required and undertaken by companies prior to license approval to inform decision-ma… Mineral extraction is pursued in Greenland to strengthen the national economy. In order that new industries promote sustainable development, environmental impact assessments and social impact assessments are legally required and undertaken by companies prior to license approval to inform decision-making. Knowledge systems in Arctic indigenous communities have evolved through adaptive processes over generations, and indigenous knowledge (IK) is considered a great source of information on local environments and related ecosystem services. In Greenland the Inuit are in the majority, and Greenlanders are still considered indigenous. The Inuit Circumpolar Council stresses that utilizing IK is highly relevant in the Greenland context. Impact assessment processes involve stakeholder engagement and public participation, and hence offer arenas for potential knowledge sharing and thereby the utilization of IK. Based on the assumption that IK is a valuable knowledge resource, which can supplement and improve impact assessments in Greenland thus supporting sustainable development, this paper presents an investigation of how IK is utilized in the last stages of an impact assessment process when the final report is subject to a hearing in three recent mining projects in Greenland. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Presentation of work in progress: Research project about new solutions for teacher education as distance education in Greenland.

Research | Forskning - peer review

Befolkningsundersøgelsen i Grønland 2018. Levevilkår, livsstil og helbred - Oversigt over indikatorer for folkesundheden

Befolkningsundersøgelsen i 2018 er den seneste i en række af fem landsdækkende sundhedsundersøgelser, der er gennemført siden 1993. Befolkningsundersøgelsen i 2018 omfatter 19 af de 38 indikatorer for folkesundheden i Grønland relateret til de indsatsområder som er beskrevet i folkesundhedsprogramme… Befolkningsundersøgelsen i 2018 er den seneste i en række af fem landsdækkende sundhedsundersøgelser, der er gennemført siden 1993. Befolkningsundersøgelsen i 2018 omfatter 19 af de 38 indikatorer for folkesundheden i Grønland relateret til de indsatsområder som er beskrevet i folkesundhedsprogrammet Inuuneritta II. Disse dækker over befolkningens brug af alkohol og hash, rygevaner, kostmønstre og fysisk aktivitet samt en række forhold i opvæksten med betydning for helbredet langt ind i voksenlivet. Undersøgelsen handler i høj grad også om mental sundhed og trivsel, og der er som noget nyt et særligt fokus på unge og ældre. Læs mere

Consultancy | Rådgivning

Kortlægning af rygestoptilbud: Undersøgelse af borgernes adgang til rygestop i kommuner og sundhedsvæsenet i Grønland

Undersøgelsens formål er at få et tydeligt overblik over, i hvilket omfang borgerne i Grønland (både børn og voksne) har adgang til rygestoptilbud i regi af sundhedsvæsenet og kommunerne, herunder hvilke typer af rygestoptilbud, der udbydes, og i hvilket omfang.

Research | Forskning - peer review

Ice flow dynamics of the Greenland ice sheet control the production of sediment. Future acceleration in glacial flow and ice sheet melt will amplify Greenland’s supply of sediment to the coastal zone. Globally, sand and gravel reserves are rapidly depleting while the demand is increasing, largely du… Ice flow dynamics of the Greenland ice sheet control the production of sediment. Future acceleration in glacial flow and ice sheet melt will amplify Greenland’s supply of sediment to the coastal zone. Globally, sand and gravel reserves are rapidly depleting while the demand is increasing, largely due to urban expansion, infrastructural improvements and the enhancement of coastal protection in response to climate change. Here, we show that an abundance of sand and gravel provides an opportunity for Greenland to become a global exporter of aggregates and relieve the increasing global demand. The changing Arctic conditions help pave a sustainable way for the country towards economic independence. This way, Greenland could benefit from the chal- lenges brought by climate change. Such exploitation of sand requires careful assessment of the environmental impact and must be implemented in collaboration with the Greenlandic society. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

This paper presents a case study on distance teaching in a school in Greenland. Data from work on Grounded Theory is used to investigate ways of utilizing distance teaching in the school. The analysis draws on a prevalent perspective on distance teaching as providing access to education. The perspec… This paper presents a case study on distance teaching in a school in Greenland. Data from work on Grounded Theory is used to investigate ways of utilizing distance teaching in the school. The analysis draws on a prevalent perspective on distance teaching as providing access to education. The perspective combines with Michel Foucault’s concept of “governmentality”. I will show how progressive possibilities are not necessarily to be found in ICT-driven distance teaching. Pedagogical drivers operate behind the choices of ICT equipment and ICT solutions which, in this case, brings ICT under the command of a less progressive pedagogical agenda. As I will show, the commitment from the municipality and from the teachers was to use distance teaching and ICT for conventional schooling. The case lays the ground for a discussion on the progressivity of distance teaching and the use of advanced ICT solutions in schools. My aim with the paper is to add to the understanding of the scope of distance teaching in schools. Does ICT and distance teaching serve progressive ends per se? What do we learn about distance teaching from this setup in the school in Greenland? Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

This contribution is based on a seminar and workshop on public participation processes related to extractive industries in the Arctic, organized by the Arctic Oil and Gas Research Centre at Ilisimatusarfik (University of Greenland) on October 17th and 18th 2017. The seminar was led by experts on ext… This contribution is based on a seminar and workshop on public participation processes related to extractive industries in the Arctic, organized by the Arctic Oil and Gas Research Centre at Ilisimatusarfik (University of Greenland) on October 17th and 18th 2017. The seminar was led by experts on extractive industries, indigenous peoples, impact assessments, law, and public participation. They came from Greenland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Scotland, England and Brazil. The seminar was open to the public and was well attended by representatives from the ministries, municipal governments, academic and research institutes, NGOs and others. A select group of invited experts and a group of graduate students from Ilisimatusarfik took part in the workshop. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

The background of the study reported in this chapter was the growing number of chronically ill patients. The purpose was to explore patients’ perspectives on life with chronic illness and how it relates to healthcare practice. The research was conducted as an ethnographic field study. A conclusion o… The background of the study reported in this chapter was the growing number of chronically ill patients. The purpose was to explore patients’ perspectives on life with chronic illness and how it relates to healthcare practice. The research was conducted as an ethnographic field study. A conclusion of the study is that the disease-oriented healthcare system is not geared to deal with rehabilitation because of a narrow focus on disease and treatment, and the exclusion of patients’ knowledge. However, knowledge about patients’ everyday life and perspectives hold potentials for rehabilitative and health promotional professional interventions. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

This paper uses the 2014–2015 plunge in oil prices as a linchpin for understanding how petroleum development represents a challenge to Arctic societies. Analysis of media discourses, grey literature and fieldwork material from 2013 to 2017 compared with previous work in the region shows that the 75%… This paper uses the 2014–2015 plunge in oil prices as a linchpin for understanding how petroleum development represents a challenge to Arctic societies. Analysis of media discourses, grey literature and fieldwork material from 2013 to 2017 compared with previous work in the region shows that the 75% price decrease in oil price brings into stark relief the perceived level of ontological security that future petroleum economies in Northern Norway, Alaska and Greenland provides. The findings reveal that while the communities in each location find themselves along different timelines of the petroleum economy, there are transferable insights that can benefit other communities influenced by (the potential for) petroleum development in both the Arctic and beyond, in particular concerning the way in which specific ideas about oil and oils future features as contributing to or diminishes ontological security perceptions on the ground. The goal of this paper is to deepen the comparative analysis of research on tensions in Arctic communities as petroleum is perceived as either strengthening or threatening future ontological security in the region. The discussion considers the consequences of path de- pendent petroleum economies, and how perceptions on alternative futures can fruitfully be introduced into petroleum-dominated narratives about viable Arctic futures. Læs mere

Research | Forskning

Various kinds of user and patient involvement are spreading in healthcare in most Western countries. The purpose of this study is to critically assess the actual conditions for patients’involvement in healthcare practice in Greenland and to point to possibilities… Various kinds of user and patient involvement are spreading in healthcare in most Western countries. The purpose of this study is to critically assess the actual conditions for patients’involvement in healthcare practice in Greenland and to point to possibilities for development. Patients’ perspectives on their own conduct of everyday life with illness and their possibilities for participation when hospitalized are examined in relation to the conditions in a hospital setting dominated by biomedical practice. On a theoretical level, it is argued that the concept of ‘participation’ is preferable to the concept ‘involvement’ in healthcare. The study shows that there are several interconnected areas for development: the structural frames of hospital practice,including professionals’ possibilities for handling patient participation, and the agency of the patients conducting their everyday lives when hospitalized. Consequences of the biomedical hegemony are discussed in relation to WHO ́s broader approach to disease, illness and health and the still existing postcolonial traces of power and hierarchy. Finally it is argued that patient participation during hospitalization will promote the patients ́ conduct of everyday life, the cultural knowledge of the professionals, and the democratization of the healthcare sector. Such changes might be connected to a more encompassing democratic societal development – in Greenland as well as globally. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

The children immunisation programme in Greenland correlates to the one in Denmark with the addition of the Bacille Calmette–Guerin (BCG)-vaccine and the immunisation against Hepatitis B (HBV). The immunisation rate among children in Greenland has been and is currently unknown and this study aims to… The children immunisation programme in Greenland correlates to the one in Denmark with the addition of the Bacille Calmette–Guerin (BCG)-vaccine and the immunisation against Hepatitis B (HBV). The immunisation rate among children in Greenland has been and is currently unknown and this study aims to estimate the immunisation rates among children in Nuuk from 1 July 2015 until 30 June 2016. We did an observational cross-sectional study based on a statistical extraction identifying all children in Nuuk eligible for an immunization in the children immunisation programme from 1 July 2015 until 30 June 2016 and a review of their medical records. We found acceptable coverage rates among children younger than 12 months, but coverage rates lower than recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) among older children. Among children between 15 months and 4 years the coverage dropped as low as 33.9 %. Increased awareness of child immunisation rates is suggested including continuously monitoring and adjusting of the organisation of the immunisation programme. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

We previously showed that a common genetic variant leads to a remarkably increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the small and historically isolated Greenlandic population. Motivated by this, we aimed at discovering novel genetic determinants for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and at estimating the… We previously showed that a common genetic variant leads to a remarkably increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the small and historically isolated Greenlandic population. Motivated by this, we aimed at discovering novel genetic determinants for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and at estimating the effect of known HbA1C-associated loci in the Greenlandic population. We analyzed genotype data from 4049 Greenlanders generated using the Illumina Cardio-Metabochip. We performed the discovery association analysis by an additive linear mixed model. To estimate the effect of known HbA1C-associated loci, we modeled the effect in the European and Inuit ancestry proportions of the Greenlandic genome (EAPGG and IAPGG, respectively). After correcting for multiple testing, we found no novel significant associations. When we investigated loci known to associate with HbA1C levels, we found that the lead variant in the GCK locus associated significantly with HbA1C levels in the IAPGG (PIAPGG=4.8×10−6,βIAPGG=0.13SD). Furthermore, for 10 of 15 known HbA1C loci, the effects in IAPGG were similar to the previously reported effects. Interestingly, the ANK1 locus showed a statistically significant ancestral population differential effect, with opposing directions of effect in the two ancestral populations. In conclusion, we found only 1 of the 15 known HbA1C loci to be significantly associated with HbA1C levels in the IAPGG and that two-thirds of the loci showed similar effects in Inuit as previously found in European and East Asian populations. Our results shed light on the genetic effects across ethnicities. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Greenland is a country in transition from a colonial past with subsistence hunting and fishing to an urban Nordic welfare state. Epidemiological transition from infectious to chronic diseases has been evident since the 1950s. Ninety percent of the population is Inuit. We studied three public health… Greenland is a country in transition from a colonial past with subsistence hunting and fishing to an urban Nordic welfare state. Epidemiological transition from infectious to chronic diseases has been evident since the 1950s. Ninety percent of the population is Inuit. We studied three public health issues based on published literature, namely adverse childhood experiences, addictive behavior, and suicide; diet and obesity; and smoking. Alcohol consumption was high in the 1970s and 1980s with accompanying family and social disruption. This is still a cause of poor mental health and suicides in the generations most affected. The diet is changing from a traditional diet of fish and marine mammals to imported food including food items rich in sugar and fat from domestic animals, and the level of physical activity is decreasing with an ensuing epidemic rise in obesity. The prevalence of smoking is high at around 60% among both men and women and is only slowly decreasing. Smoking shows large social variation, and tobacco-related diseases are widespread. The diseases and conditions outlined above all contribute towards a low life expectancy at birth—69 years for men and 74 years for women in 2011–2015—compared with 78 and 84 years for men and women, respectively, on average in the European countries. The translation of government public health programs into local activities needs strengthening, and it must be realized that the improvement of public health is a long-term process. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Background and aims: Low levels of vitamin D are suspected to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis among Inuit in Greenland, and to evaluate the association with vitamin D status. We hypothe… Background and aims: Low levels of vitamin D are suspected to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis among Inuit in Greenland, and to evaluate the association with vitamin D status. We hypothesized that low vitamin D status could be associated with higher carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) as a marker of atherosclerosis. Methods: 756 adults from the Inuit Health in Transition (IHIT) study carried out in Greenland in the period 2005–2010 were included. A blood sample donated in 1987 was available for a sub-sample of 102 individuals. Serum 25(OH)D3 from the IHIT study and the 1987 survey was used as a measure of vitamin D status. IMT measurements were conducted by ultrasound scanning. The prevalence of atherosclerosis was estimated, and the association between serum 25(OH)D3 and IMT measurements was examined by linear regression. Results: The overall prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis was 20.1% (n = 152). The linear regression analyses indicated a weak positive association between serum 25(OH)D3 level and IMT measurements from the IHIT study, though not statistically significant after adjustment for potential confounders (β = 0.35% per 10 nmoL/L 25(OH)D3, p = 0.06). Linear regression analyses of the association between serum 25(OH)D3 level in the 1987 survey and IMT measurements also indicated a positive, though not statistically significant, association after adjustment (β = 0.07% per 10 nmoL/L 25(OH)D3, p = 0.86). Conclusions: Our findings did not support the hypothesis of an association between low vitamin D levels and risk of atherosclerosis. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling - peer review

We have identified a variant in ADCY3 (encoding adenylate cyclase 3) associated with markedly increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes in the Greenlandic population. The variant disrupts a splice acceptor site, and carriers have decreased ADCY3 RNA expression. Additionally, we observe an enrich… We have identified a variant in ADCY3 (encoding adenylate cyclase 3) associated with markedly increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes in the Greenlandic population. The variant disrupts a splice acceptor site, and carriers have decreased ADCY3 RNA expression. Additionally, we observe an enrichment of rare ADCY3 loss-of-function variants among individuals with type 2 diabetes in trans-ancestry cohorts. These findings provide new information on disease etiology relevant for future treatment strategies. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling - peer review

While healthcare in many Nordic countries is increasingly centralized, some nurses are working very much on their own. This applies to nurses in Greenland, who provide care for patients in some of the world’s most rural and remote areas. Still, they share the same ambition of evidence-based care as… While healthcare in many Nordic countries is increasingly centralized, some nurses are working very much on their own. This applies to nurses in Greenland, who provide care for patients in some of the world’s most rural and remote areas. Still, they share the same ambition of evidence-based care as their colleagues around the world. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Aim: Previous studies have found high rates of stunted linear growth in Greenlandic children. We measured growth patterns in Greenland and compared them with international growth charts. Methods: The study cohort comprised 279 healthy children aged 6–10 years in 2012. They participated in two pregn… Aim: Previous studies have found high rates of stunted linear growth in Greenlandic children. We measured growth patterns in Greenland and compared them with international growth charts. Methods: The study cohort comprised 279 healthy children aged 6–10 years in 2012. They participated in two pregnancy and birth cohorts in Greenland and longitudinal growth data as birth was extracted from their medical records. Growth reference ranges were estimated with the lambda‐mu‐sigma (LMS) method and compared with growth charts from Denmark and the World Health Organization (WHO). Results: The children's mean length, weight and head circumference were significantly larger than the WHO growth charts (p < 0.001). We found that 21–28% of the children aged zero to one years exceeded the WHO growth chart for length by more than two standard deviations. For weight and head circumference, 9–16% of the children aged 0–10 years and 9–11% of the children from zero to two years exceeded the WHO charts by more than two standard deviations. The Danish references were exceeded to a lesser degree. Conclusion: This study showed that the growth of Greenlandic children up to 10 years was no longer stunted. Major determining factors suggested are genetic admixture, maternal overweight, changes in nutrition and improved health. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Background: Studies have found mercury to be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), however, primarily in populations with low exposure. The highest levels, and variations in the levels, of whole blood mercury (WBM) worldwide have been found in Greenland. We prospectively assessed the associa… Background: Studies have found mercury to be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), however, primarily in populations with low exposure. The highest levels, and variations in the levels, of whole blood mercury (WBM) worldwide have been found in Greenland. We prospectively assessed the association between WBM and the risk of developing CVD in the Greenlandic population. Methods: We assessed the effects of WBM levels on incident CVD among 3083 Greenlandic Inuit, participating in a population-based cohort study conducted from 2005 to 2010. WBM was measured at baseline. Participants were followed in the National Patient Registries for Denmark and Greenland and in the causes of death register for CVD events from inclusion in the study until CVD event, emigration, death or end of follow-up (30/9–2013). Using Cox regression analyses, we calculated the incidence rates and the hazard ratio of CVD events according to WBM levels. Potential interactions with sex were also investigated. Results: The highest levels of WBM were found in men, who had a significantly higher median level (19 μg/L (IQR:1–44)), compared with women (15 μg/L (IQR: 1–32), (p < 0.001)). The crude hazard ratio (HR) for incident CVD was 1.00 (95% CI 1.00–1.00) for 5 µg/l increase in WBM. After adjusting for several potential confounders, there was still no association between WBM and incident CVD (HR 0.99; 95%CI:0.99–1.00). We found no interactions with sex. Conclusions: In a population with high levels of WBM, we found no association between WBM and the risk of developing CVD in Greenland. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Diabetes mellitus is a large and growing worldwide health issue. Prior to this publication, a direct comparison of the prevalence of persons treated with anti-diabetic medicine in Greenland and Denmark has not been found. Therefore, the aim of this study is to estimate and compare the age- and gende… Diabetes mellitus is a large and growing worldwide health issue. Prior to this publication, a direct comparison of the prevalence of persons treated with anti-diabetic medicine in Greenland and Denmark has not been found. Therefore, the aim of this study is to estimate and compare the age- and gender-specific prevalence of patients treated with anti-diabetic medicine comparing Greenland and Denmark. The study was performed as a cross-sectional register study using data from population and medical registers in Greenland and Denmark. A total of 784 Greenlandic and 215,580 Danish patients treated with anti-diabetic medicine were included. The prevalence of patients aged 20–79 years treated with anti-diabetic medicine in Greenland was 2.6% (95% CI 2.4–2.8), much lower (p < 0.001) compared to Denmark with 5.2% (95% CI 5.2–5.2). The difference was less pronounced after excluding those treated with insulin and women below 45 years treated with metformin. In conclusion, this study showed a lower prevalence of patients treated with anti-diabetic medicine in Greenland than Denmark. The main reason may be a much higher prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes in Greenland, particularly among the middle-aged. Differences in awareness of diabetes and access to continued primary healthcare may be contributing factors. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Objective: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) may develop slowly with few symptoms and may remain undetected for many years, leading to severe complications that potentially could have been prevented with timely diagnosis and treatment. Undiagnosed diabetes has been reported high in Greenland. However, awareness… Objective: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) may develop slowly with few symptoms and may remain undetected for many years, leading to severe complications that potentially could have been prevented with timely diagnosis and treatment. Undiagnosed diabetes has been reported high in Greenland. However, awareness and knowledges about diabetes in the general population remains unexplored. Methods: This study was performed as an observational cross sectional study based on telephone interview among a random sample of Greenlanders. The interview was performed in Greenlandic or Danish according to participant’ preference and included information about age, gender, place of birth, place of residence, medical history of diabetes, awareness of the diabetes, risk factors, symptoms, complications, and local possibilities to get tested for diabetes. Results: In total, telephone contact was established with 196 adults. Of those, 161 participants completed the interview while 35 were unwilling to participate in the interview corresponding to a response rate of 82% (161/196). The majority of responders, 85.7%, were aware of diabetes and local testing possibilities. However, only around 65% were aware of risk factors of diabetes. Also, the knowledge about common symptoms of diabetes was quite low, around 50%, and in particular low, around 40%, among males and inhabitants in settlements. Conclusions: The vast majority of the population was aware of diabetes. However, the present study revealed shortage of knowledge of common risk factors, symptoms, and complications to diabetes. This is challenging the effort to prevent diabetes and new alternative information strategies are needed. Furthermore, the shortage of knowledges of risk factors may not be isolated to diabetes and further studies on health literacy in Greenland are recommended. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a serious condition associated to both maternal and offspring complications. Yet, no globally accepted consensus exists on how to test and diagnose GDM. In Greenland, the clinical criteria for testing and diagnosing GDM are adapted from Danish guidelines. The a… Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a serious condition associated to both maternal and offspring complications. Yet, no globally accepted consensus exists on how to test and diagnose GDM. In Greenland, the clinical criteria for testing and diagnosing GDM are adapted from Danish guidelines. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of GDM among Greenlanders using both the current clinical GDM criteria and the recent WHO 2013 criteria and, further, to study the association between GDM, pre-pregnant overweight or obesity and macrosomia. A cross-sectional study of all 450 Greenlandic women who gave birth to a singleton in Nuuk within 1 year was performed. Based on an oral glucose tolerance test measuring capillary whole blood glucose, 119 women were categorised as having clinical GDM, WHO 2013 GDM or not GDM. Macrosomia defined as birth weight above 4,000 g was used as outcome variable. The prevalence of clinical GDM and WHO 2013 GDM was 0.4% (95% CI; 0–1.1) and 6.9% (95% CI; 4.5–9.2). WHO 2013 GDM, fasting blood glucose, pre-pregnant maternal overweight and obesity were associated with macrosomia. WHO 2013 GDM criteria were superior to clinical criteria in predicting macrosomia indicating that it may be time to consider the diagnostic strategy used in Greenland. Pre-pregnant overweight may also need more intensified lifestyle-intervention. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In Greenland, valid estimates of prevalence and incidence of CVD do not exist and can only be calculated if diagnoses of CVD in the Greenlandic Hospital Discharge Register (GHDR) are correct. Diagnoses of CVD in GHDR have… Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In Greenland, valid estimates of prevalence and incidence of CVD do not exist and can only be calculated if diagnoses of CVD in the Greenlandic Hospital Discharge Register (GHDR) are correct. Diagnoses of CVD in GHDR have not previously been validated specifically. The objective of the study was to validate diagnoses of CVD in GHDR. The study was conducted as a validation study with primary investigator comparing information in GHDR with information in medical records. Diagnoses in GHDR were considered correct and thus valid if they matched the diagnoses or the medical information in the medical records. A total of 432 online accessible medical records with a cardiovascular diagnosis according to GHDR from Queen Ingrid’s Hospital from 2001 to 2013 (n=291) and from local health care centres from 2007 to 2013 (n=141) were reviewed. Ninety-nine and ninety-two percent of discharge diagnosis in GHDR from Queen Ingrid’s Hospital and local health care centres were correct in comparison with diagnoses in the medical record indicating valid registration practice. The correctness of cardiovascular diagnoses in GHDR was considered high in terms of acceptable agreement between medical records and diagnoses in GHDR. Cardiovascular diagnoses are valid for epidemiological use. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Background: During the last decades, social and life-style changes in Greenland have led to an increase in the incidence of several non-communicable diseases. Our aim is to present the cancer incidence and mortality in Greenland and compare the results with the other Nordic countries. Methods: The… Background: During the last decades, social and life-style changes in Greenland have led to an increase in the incidence of several non-communicable diseases. Our aim is to present the cancer incidence and mortality in Greenland and compare the results with the other Nordic countries. Methods: The data stems from The Danish Cancer Registry and The Danish Register of Causes of Death. Comparable data on cancer incidence and mortality in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Greenland are available through collaboration between Nordic Cancer Registries (NORDCAN). We included all individuals residing in Greenland and diagnosed with or died of a cancer from 1983 to 2014. Findings: The total number of cancer cases in Greenland for the study period was 4716 and there were 3231 cancer deaths. Respiratory and gastrointestinal cancers had the highest incidence as well as mortality in Greenland for the entire time period and for both sexes. Compared to the other Nordic countries, Greenland had significantly higher incidence and mortality rates for several cancers. Cancer of the lip, oral cavity, and pharynx, respiratory cancer, and cancer of unknown sites had the highest incidence rate ratios (2.3–3.9) and mortality rate ratios (2.7–9.9) for both sexes. The time trend from 1983 to 2014 showed a significant increase in cancer incidence in Greenland with nearly the same incidence level as the other Nordic countries. While the cancer mortality decreased in the other Nordic countries during the time period studied, there was no change in the cancer-specific mortality in Greenland. Interpretations: The trends in cancer incidence and mortality in Greenland compared to the other Nordic countries have not been reported earlier. These data underline a need to focus on cancer-specific mortality in Greenland and prevention of high-incidence cancers related to well-established risk factors. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) is the main enzyme metabolizing isoniazid and genotype-based treatment has been studied for years without becoming common practice. To investigate whether genotype-based isoniazid treatment is feasible in Greenland, we sequenced the coding sequence of NAT2 and determined… N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) is the main enzyme metabolizing isoniazid and genotype-based treatment has been studied for years without becoming common practice. To investigate whether genotype-based isoniazid treatment is feasible in Greenland, we sequenced the coding sequence of NAT2 and determined the NAT2 enzyme-activity by caffeine test. No additional genetic variants were identified in the coding sequence of NAT2, so that genotype status in 260 study participants could be assessed by a well-established 7-SNP panel. Studying the enzyme activity by the ratio of the two caffeine metabolites AFMU and 1X in 260 participants showed a high rate of slow phenotypes with intermediate or rapid genotype. These misclassifications were mainly observed in urine samples with pH<3, a deviation from the standard protocol due to the field work character of the study, where immediate pH adjustment to pH=3.5 was not possible. We excluded these samples. For the remaining 143 individuals with pH>3, we observed a moderate level of discrepancies (19 of the 116 individuals with intermediate or rapid genotype status having a slow phenotype). Further investigation showed that drinking coffee and not tea or cola was the most important factor for high levels of both metabolites. The concordance between phenotype and genotype status with regard to slow metabolism supported the recommendation of lower isoniazid doses in individuals with slow genotype status in order to avoid liver injury, a frequent side effect. The phenotypical variation observed for individuals with intermediate or rapid genotype status warrants further research before increased dosing of isoniazid can be recommended. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

This article focuses on the methodology of the project Ageing in the Arctic (AgeArc) – Wellbeing, Quality of Life and Health Promotion among Older People in Greenland, and how the use of a collaborative approach aims at integrating ageing research, practices and policies to the benefit of the Greenl… This article focuses on the methodology of the project Ageing in the Arctic (AgeArc) – Wellbeing, Quality of Life and Health Promotion among Older People in Greenland, and how the use of a collaborative approach aims at integrating ageing research, practices and policies to the benefit of the Greenlandic society. Thus, the aim of the article is to discuss how collaboration between research and practice can be an important factor in sustainable development of welfare solutions for older people in Greenland. In the project we study ageing policy, homecare, institutions, professional practices and municipal administration of these as well as older people’s health, well-being, everyday life and historical perceptions of the roles of older people in Greenland. Moreover, researchers and municipalities collaborate on developing policies, initiatives within municipalities and civil society as well as creating network across the municipalities and between municipal administrations and civil society. In addition to this, we develop educational material for healthcare workers and professionals and work to create more public awareness about ageing in Greenland. We present three examples of our collaborative methods and discuss how the approach influences development and implementation of specific co-creation projects involving researchers, professionals and citizens on equal terms. Læs mere