News Release, St. Mary’s College of Maryland

The 8th Symposium on the Impacts of an Ice-Diminishing Arctic on Naval and Maritime Operations takes place July 17-18, 2019, at The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington, D.C. The forum is a joint program of The Wilson Center, the U.S. National Ice Center, the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, The Patuxent Partnership, and the Center for the Study of Democracy at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

The symposium will focus on naval and other maritime operations in an “ice-diminishing Arctic” and brings together experts on arctic marine operations, the environment, science, policy, law, and governance.

Featured speakers include:

  • Senator Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator for Alaska
  • Senator Angus King, U.S. Senator for Maine
  • Admiral Karl L. Schultz, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard
  • Rear Admiral (ret., USN) Tim Gallaudet, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and Deputy NOAA Administrator
  • Fran Ulmer, Chair, U.S. Arctic Research Commission
  • Ambassador Kåre R. Aas, Ambassador of Norway to the United States

Speakers and panelists will share their specific perspectives on the impacts of an ice-diminishing Arctic on marine transportation; federal, state, local, and international operations; security; scientific research; infrastructure; investments; and policy implications in the region.

Session topics to Include:

  • Pacific, Atlantic, and Global Views of the Arctic
  • Perspectives from Arctic Alaska Native Regional Corporation CEOs
  • Operational Ice Centers
  • U.S. Coast Guard’s Arctic Perspectives
  • The Russian Maritime Arctic
  • Great-Power Competition in the Arctic

Reservations are currently being accepted at: https://engage.wilsoncenter.org/onlineactions/R6EXDHeUMEOh9p-Unl_XBA2. Please be aware that all attendees must pass through security to enter the Ronald Reagan Building.

The Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) explores contemporary and historical issues associated with the ideas of democracy, liberty and justice in national and international contexts. It supports research that enhances our understanding of liberal democracy and its critics. CSD facilitates activities that strengthen democracy and the rule of law; enhance security and individual freedoms; invigorate the civil society; encourage free enterprise; and increase economic, environmental, educational and cultural equity.

The Wilson Center, chartered by Congress in 1968 as the official memorial to President Woodrow Wilson, is the nation’s key non-partisan policy forum for tackling global issues through independent research and open dialogue to inform actionable ideas for the policy community.

The U.S. National Ice Center (NIC) is a multi-agency center operated by the United States Navy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the United States Coast Guard. Their mission is to provide global to tactical scale ice and snow products, ice forecasting, and other environmental intelligence services for the United States government.

U.S. Arctic Research Commission is an independent agency that advises the President and Congress on domestic and international Arctic research through recommendations and reports.

The Patuxent Partnership is a non-profit member organization working to advance technology through speaker programs, forums, and networking; to advance science and technology transfer through the exchange of ideas, information, and data related to technologies; and to increase workforce development through an array of programs and initiatives.

St. Mary’s College of Maryland is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education through 2024-2025. St. Mary’s College, designated the Maryland state honors college in 1992, is ranked one of the best public liberal arts schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Approximately 1,600 students attend the college, nestled on the St. Mary’s River in Southern Maryland.

David M. Higgins II is an award-winning journalist passionate about uncovering the truth and telling compelling stories. Born in Baltimore and raised in Southern Maryland, he has lived in several East...