Korinna Korsström-Magga

On the Frontline of the Climate Crisis Building Young Peoples’ Climate Citizenship through Art and Co-research (Panel)

Chair: Korinna Korsström-Magga – University of Lapland, Finland

With:

Mirja Hiltunen – University of Lapland, Finland

Timo Jokela – University of Lapland, Finland

Aki Lintumäki – University of Lapland/South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Finland

Jarmo Rinne – South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Finland

Abstract:

This panel addresses the potential of art education and art-based action research to positively impact young people’s climate anxiety. The discussion raises questions about northern knowledge and new materialism in community-based art education and how the new genre Arctic art education can enhance co-research and active citizenship. Can art and art education propose new means of participating and acting in the creation of the future? Climate change threatens people’s cultures and traditional livelihoods in northernmost Europe and circumpolar areas. The surrounding nature will change because of exploitation caused by the green transition. Often, people have anxiety and feel desolated in the hands of distant policy-makers. The phenomenon is causing despair and anxiety, especially among young people. The panel discusses the topic through workshops and artwork examples performed in the project On the Front Line of the Climate Crisis. The project studies young people’s climate citizenship and activism through arts-based action research and co-research. It highlights social and societal dimensions and collaboration with art educators, researchers, and young participants who aim to influence politicians. The Youth Research and Development Centre Juvenia of South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences and the University of Lapland coordinate the research project. The Kone Foundation funds the project, which is ongoing until 2025 in Lapland, Eastern Finland, and the Tampere region.