Home  About FNI  Research  Publications  Staff  News & events  Contact		FNI News > FNI events FNI Norway's Most Productive Social Science Research Institute in 2010 (19.01.2012) According to figures released by the Research Council of Norway this week, FNI produced more scientific output per researcher in 2010 than any other of Norway's 28 social science research institutes.  More > Arctic Challenges (04.01.2012) The Arctic has heated up, in different ways. While the ice is gradually smelting, the region is the object of heated political discussion over who owns the Arctic Ocean and its natural resources. A new book by Geir Hønneland discusses the most important challenges in the Arctic.  More (in Norwegian) > Elin Lerum Boasson obtains Ph.D. with Analysis of Norwegian Climate Policy (14.12.2011) FNI Senior Research Fellow Elin Lerum Boasson has today successfully defended her Ph.D. dissertation on the forces and processes behind the shaping of various aspects of Norwegian climate policy.  More > FNI Researchers Publish Comprehensive Analysis of International Environmental Agreements (05.12.2011) Why are some environmental problems dealt with successfully, while others are ignored? What makes for an efficient and effective international environmental agreement? These key questions are analysed in an ambitious new book written by 11 researchers from the Fridtjof Nansen Institute and published in the series Routledge Research in Environmental Politics.  More > Schei Appointed Member of National Committee on Ecosystem Services in Norway (30.11.2011) FNI Director Peter Johan Schei has been appointed member of the Norwegian Government's expert committee on ecosystem services.  More (in Norwegian) > FNI Launches New Publication Series on Climate Policy (21.11.2011) Today FNI, in cooperation with the German Perspectives GmbH, launches its new briefing paper series on climate policy: FNI Climate Policy Perspectives.  More > Report on Plant Genetic Diversity and Farmers' Rights in Norway (18.11.2011) A new report by FNI Senior Research Fellow Regine Andersen looks at plant genetic diversity in Norwegian agriculture, with focus on farmers' rights as defined in the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture  More (in Norwegian) > Norwegian-Russian Trade Union Co-operation Evaluated (22.09.2011) A recent evaluation of Norwegian-Russian trade union co-operation projects finds the co-operation to be close and based on a principle of equality. It has led to stronger cross-border links, especially between Finnmark and Murmansk. However, mechanisms to integrate lessons learned into regular work have been too weak.  More > Stimulating Sustainable Innovation in Aquaculture (06.09.2011) This year's gene resource seminar at FNI focused on aquaculture and in particular on how the regulation of access to aquatic genetic resources affects innovation and sustainable breeding in the industry.  More > New Major FNI Book on the World Ocean in Globalisation (29.08.2011) A recent volume edited by Davor Vidas and Peter Johan Schei examines core challenges for ocean governance, including climate change, sustainable fisheries, biodiversity, shipping, and regional issues.  More > Leiv Lunde Appointed New Director of the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (04.07.2011) Leiv Lunde (b. 1961) has been appointed new director of the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI). He will take over the position when the current director, Peter Johan Schei, retires at the beginning of 2012.   More in English> More in Norwegian> International Law for an Anthropocene Epoch (10.06.2011) Has human influence pushed the Earth System into a new geological epoch – the Anthropocene? If so, how can international law respond to the challenges that are likely to occur as a result of such a shift?  More > FNI Article Nominated to the Norwegian Peer Review Article of the Year Prize for 2010 (01.06.2011) The article "Climate and Security in the Arctic" by FNI Senior Research Fellow Svein Vigeland Rottem has been nominated by editorial board of the International Politics journal as its candidate for the Norwegian Peer Review Article of the Year Prize for 2010.  More (in Norwegian) > FNI Researcher appointed to Research Council of Norway (RCN) Board (03.05.2011) FNI Research Fellow Elin Lerum Boasson was yesterday appointed to the Board of the RCN's Division for Energy, Resources and the Environment. The new board is appointed for the period 1 June 2011 to 31 May 2015. Read RCN press release (in Norwegian) > FNI Key Partner in New National Centre for Environment-Friendly Energy Research (16.02.2011) Strategic Challenges in International Climate and Energy Policy (CICEP) is the name of one of three new national social science centres for environment-friendly energy research that were announced yesterday. FNI is a key partner in the centre, which is to enter into an 8-year financing agreement with the Research Council of Norway.  More > Norwegian Climate and Energy Politics: EU Knowledge Gives Influence (04.02.2011) 130 representatives from the Norwegian and Swedish energy sectors convened in Oslo yesterday to learn about and discuss how EU climate and energy policies are influencing the Norwegian energy sector and Norwegian-Swedish energy cooperation.  More (in Norwegian) > Who Decides over the Seeds? (22.12.2010) In many poor countries, a farmer's right to decide over his or her seeds may be a life insurance. This right is essential in order to preserve the world's diversity of species. An FNI-led project is looking closer at farmers' rights in this field. Poverty-fightling and biodiversity are key elements.  More (in Norwegian) > Russian Svalbard Policies and Russian Civil Society (14.12.2010) Norwegian-Russian contacts and cooperation in the High North is a key research area for FNI, and at a seminar today, two examples of such contacts were discussed in detail: Russian policies on Svalbard and Norwegian support of Russian NGOs.  More (in Norwegian) > Norwegian Gene Resource Law (13.12.2010) At an FNI seminar today, legal scholar and FNI Senior Research Fellow Morten Walløe Tvedt launched his new book on Norwegian gene resource law. The book is Norway's first comprehensive presentation of legislation and regulations pertaining to genes, gene resources and biotechnology.  More (in Norwegian) > High North Library Bookseries Launched (30.11.2010) At a well-visited launch seminar in Tromsø earlier this month, FNI Research Director Geir Hønneland presented the new High North Library bookseries which is to give research-based input to Norwegian policies towards the High North.  More (in Norwegian) > The High North Initiative: Knowledge is the Winner (26.11.2010) The Norwegian Government's choice of knowledge as the core of its High North initiative, is mainly about choosing the safest route. The force behind the initiative has, however, always been the prospects of petroleum development, thinks FNI's Research Director Geir Hønneland.  More (in Norwegian) > Borderland Russians (03.09.2010) A new book by FNI Research Director Geir Hønneland looks at the identity of Russians on the Kola Peninsula: Living in the high north, hailing from the south, and with Western neighbours within throwing distance across an increasingly permeable border.  More > FNI Book Examines the Impact of Certification Schemes on Environmental Governance (23.08.2010) A new book by FNI Senior Research Fellow Lars H. Gulbrandsen examines the effects of forestry and fisheries certification programs on environmental governance.  More > Gene rights: Latest developments in the ABS Negotiations and in the EPO (17.08.2010) An FNI seminar on gene rights today focused on the development of an international Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) regime for genetic resources, as well as on the latest developments on plant patenting in the European Patent Organisation (EPO).  More (in Norwegian) > FNI Conducts Global Consultations on Farmers' Rights (07.07.2010) As part of its Farmers' Rights Project, FNI today starts a process of global consultations on how Farmers' Rights to genetic resources can be fully implemented.   More > Analysis: Most Developing Countries Stand to Lose from a Worldwide Patent System (10.05.2010) A recently published analysis by FNI legal scholar Morten Walløe Tvedt finds that the probable effects of introducing a Worldwide Patent System are overwhelmingly negative for most Third World nations, with more adverse effect the less developed a country is.   More > - Barents Sea Delimitation Agreement Important for Norway and the Arctic (30.04.2010) Norway and Russia having reached a delimitation agreement firmly based on international law is more important to Norway than not having the final line following Norway's original midline claim, says FNI Researcher and marine law expert Øystein Jensen.   More (in Norwegian) > New FNI Book Examines Contemporary Challenges of Ocean Management (23.04.2010) A recent, major book edited by Davor Vidas examines the challenges facing the World Ocean as it enters a new epoch: The Anthropocene, dominated by the human impact.   More > The High North – What Now? (08.04.2010) Is it time to stop all Norwegian aid to Russia? Are we witnessing the start of a race for offshore Arctic resources? Is Russia overfishing the most important common resource of the Barents Sea? These are some of the issues discussed in a new book in Norwegian from FNI: The High North – What Now?   More (in Norwegian) > CANES at Energitinget: How is the Nordic energy sector influenced by EU policies? (26.03.2010) At this year's Energitinget, Sweden's largest energy fair, a presentation was organized by the FNI-led Norwegian-Swedish CANES project on how the Nordic energy sector is influenced by EU policies.   More (in Norwegian) > Olav Schram Stokke Obtains Dr. philos. degree on International Regime Effectiveness, with Barents Sea Fisheries Case Study (19.03.2010) FNI Senior Research Fellow Olav Schram Stokke has today successfully defended his Dr. philos. dissertation, in which he used the Barents Sea fisheries as a case study in a new, theoretical approach to analysing international regime effectiveness.   More > No "Armed Mad Dash for Resources" Foreseen in the Arctic (17.12.2009) With climate change making the Arctic gradually more accessible, some observers have suggested that interest in Arctic natural resources and disputed marine borders could take on a military aspect. A new FNI study refutes this view, finding that dispassionate diplomacy is a more likely and rational way of dispute resolution than military confrontation.   More > New FNI Book on Maritime Delimitation Dispute in the Adriatic (01.09.2009) In a recently published book, FNI Senior Research Fellow Davor Vidas explains the legal and policy aspects of the Croatian-Slovenian maritime delimitation dispute. This dispute has been an open, and increasingly acute, problem for the relations between the two countries for the past 18 years.   More > Marine Biobanks and Aquaculture-related Patents (19.08.2009) What are the main legal questions related to marine biobanks, such as for instance Marbank in Tromsø? This was the topic of an FNI seminar held yesterday, where recent developments in patent rights related to aquaculture were also discussed.   More (in Norwegian) > Russia and the North (06.08.2009) A new book co-authored by FNI researchers examines how Russia defines and addresses northern spaces, opportunities and challenges within its own borders and internationally.   More > Corporate Social Responsibility in Europe (23.07.2009) Do corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies really lead to positive impacts on society and the environment or is it just rhetoric? This is the topic of a new book co-authored by FNI researchers, where focus is on the situation in Europe.   More > New EU Policies on Renewable Energy: Opportunities and Problems for Norway and the Nordic Countries? (17.06.2009) Norway, as well as its Nordic neighbours, will now have to implement the EU's new and ambitious package of climate and energy directives. What will the consequences of these new policies be on the development of renewable energy? This was the topic of an FNI seminar held today.   More (in Norwegian) > Workshop on Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) (05.06.2009) FNI today organized a workshop to highlight the most relevant experiences, preconditions and best practices regarding payment for ecosystem services (PES), and to provide operative suggestions to the Norwegian Government on Norwegian involvement in PES schemes that aim at sustaining forest ecosystem services for climate change mitigation.   More > Side Event on Farmers' Rights at the 3rd Session of the Governing Body of the Plant Treaty (04.06.2009) Seed regulations around the world are increasingly posing barriers to the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. This was one of the main conclusions of a side event on Farmers' Rights held by FNI and partners on 2 June.   More > Lars H. Gulbrandsen Obtains PhD Degree on Environmental Certification in the Forestry and Fisheries Sectors (01.04.2009) Lars H. Gulbrandsen has today successfully defended his PhD dissertation on how and to what extent voluntary certification schemes in the forestry and fisheries sectors contribute to sustainable resource management.   More > Svein Vigeland Rottem Obtains PhD Degree on Norway's Changing Defence Policies (20.03.2009) Svein Vigeland Rottem has today succesfully defended his PhD dissertation where he has analyzed the justifications of Norway's changing defence and security policies in the period 1999-2006.   More > Implementing Farmers' Rights to Crop Genetic Resources in Norway (30.01.2009) Decision-makers, farmers and other stakeholders, a total of 60 participants, met at FNI on 28 January to discuss how farmers' rights under FAO's International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture can be implemented in Norway.   More (in Norwegian) > High North Geopolitics and the Environment (26.11.2008) Is the Arctic institutional framewok suitable for dealing with climate change and other pressing environmental challenges facing the High North? This is the main research question in a new project launched today.   More > 20 Years of Norwegian-Russian Environmental Cooperation (24.11.2008) In their new book, FNI researchers Geir Hønneland and Lars Rowe examine the first 20 years of cooperation within the Joint Norwegian-Russian Environmental Commission. The authors find that the Commission has achieved important environmental goals, and that it has had an positive role for bilateral, political relations between the two countries in general.   More (in Norwegian) > FNI Seminar on the International Climate Change Negotiations (21.11.2008) Where are the international negotiations now? Can the negotiations on new obligations be brought to a successful conclusion? Does Norway have a role to play? These were the main questions discussed at today's seminar on the international climate change negotiations.   More (in Norwegian) > Norway's First Textbook on International Environmental Politics (23.10.2008) Norway's first textbook on international environmental politics is launched this week, written by 11 FNI researchers.   More (in Norwegian) > New Book on International Regimes and the Management of Crop Genetic Resources (09.09.2008) Plant genetic diversity is crucial for food security and for fighting poverty. Nevertheless, crop plant varieties are disappearing fast, and access to genetic resources is increasingly restricted by commercial interests. A new book analyzes how international agreements affect the management of crop genetic resources in developing countries, revealing that the interaction of the agreements has produced largely negative impacts. The book highlights entry points to shape a better governance of agrobiodiversity.   More > International Conference on Globalization and Challenges for Oceans and Marine Regions in Oslo 21-23 August (19.08.2008) Leading world experts on marine affairs and the law of the sea from all continents will meet in Oslo 21-23 August to discuss new developments and challenges for contemporary governance of the oceans caused by globalization.  More > Resource Website on Farmers' Rights Launched (22.05.2008) FNI today launched "Farmers' Rights – Resource Pages for Decision-Makers and Practicioners", a large, comprehensive website presenting research results from FNI's Farmers' Rights Project, as well as background information, relevant legislation, and many other resources for decision-makers, practitioners, and others involved in the realization of Farmers' Rights to crop genetic resources.  Go to website > FNI 50 Years Today – But Celebrations Are Later (12.05.2008) On 12 May 1958, it was decided to create an independent foundation to manage the Polhøgda property and to conduct research in fields close to Fridtjof Nansen's heart. The foundation was named the Fridtjof Nansen Foundation at Polhøgda, now better known as the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI). "Since today is a holiday in Norway and as Polhøgda this spring is a construction site, we will have our 50th anniversary celebrations in August, with various scientific and social events," says FNI Director Peter Johan Schei.  More (in Norwegian) > Understanding the Fascinating Development of the EU ETS (13.03.2008) A new FNI book digs deep to find out why the EU changed its position from leading skeptic to leading proponent of greenhouse gas emissions trading, how it managed so rapidly to establish the world's first international emissions trading scheme (ETS), and what its consequences so far are.  More > New Book on Norway's High North Politics (18.12.2007) FNI researchers Geir Hønneland and Leif Christian Jensen today publish an introductury book on Norway's new High North politics. The book gives an analytical and structured overview of the processes which, in only a few years, have taken the High North to the top of Norway's foreign policy agenda.  More (in Norwegian) > FNI Research Helps Put Farmers' Rights on the Agenda (19.11.2007) On 1 November the Governing Body (GB) of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) decided to collect views and experiences on Farmers' Rights implementation, with the view to promote their realization. FNI research provided much of the basis for and input to the process that led to the decision.  More > FNI Evaluates Norwegian-Russian Environmental Cooperation (12.11.2007) The economic and political conditions for cooperation with Russia have changed drastically since the beginning of the 1990s. In FNI's evaluation of Norwegian-Russian environmental cooperation 1995-2006, it is argued that the changes in Russia should be better reflected in the choice of cooperation forms and projects.  More (in Norwegian) > FNI seminar looks at status and future of the international climate regime (08.11.2007) In preparation for the upcoming international climate negotiations on Bali, FNI today organized a seminar to discuss the status and future of the negotiations, and in particular what Norway's role may be.  More (in Norwegian) > Protecting the Adriatic Sea (26.10.2007) A new book by FNI Senior Research Fellow Davor Vidas takes a comprehensive look at the key legal issues facing Croatia in the Adriatic Sea.  More > Improving Environmental Management in Armenia (26.09.2007) In cooperation with Armenian authorities and organizations, FNI on 18-21 September organized a seminar on international environmental obligations, domestic implementation and public participation in Armenia. It was the second seminar FNI co-hosted with the Armenian Ministry of Nature Protection.  More > BP Addresses Macro-level CSR Challenges in Azerbaijan (20.06.2007) In Azerbaijan, BP has managed to promote oil revenue transparency and runs investment programmes for community and regional development that could provide models for extractive industries around the world. These are some of the conclusions of an independent study carried out by Fridtjof Nansen Institute researchers.  More > Should Norway Join the European Patent Office (EPO)? (10.05.2007) In an open parliamentary hearing, FNI researchers Morten Walløe Tvedt and Magnus Finckenhagen asked why the Norwegian Government wants membership in the European Patent Office (EPO). They said the Government has not demonstrated why this would be an advantage for Norway, nor has it sufficiently discussed negative consequences. Read their statement (in Norwegian) > Arctic Shipping: Transit Still Far off, but Legal Regime Needs Strengthening (13.04.2007) Shipping in the Arctic will increase rapidly due to climate change, but large-scale transit operations are still far off. The current legal regime for Arctic shipping is to some extent inadequate to accommodate developments. These were the main conclusions from a seminar FNI organized this week on the prospects for Arctic shipping. More > Regine Andersen Obtains Doctoral Degree on Management of Plant Genetic Resources in Agriculture (23.02.2007) Regine Andersen has today successfully defended her doctoral dissertation on the effects of international regimes on the management of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture in developing countries. More > FNI Publishes New Images of Russia (21.02.2007) Fagbokforlaget has published a new anthology on the general political development in Russia, and on Norwegian-Russian relations in the High North, focusing on fishery and jurisdiction in the Barents Sea, energy, health and the environment. The anthology contains 25 commentary articles, all in Norwegian, and all written by FNI researchers. More (in Norwegian)> FNI Report Makes EU Headlines (12.02.2007) Today's top story on DG Research's 'European Research Headlines' was the recently published FNI Report 'CSR in the European Oil Sector. A Mapping of Company Perceptions', written by Elin Lerum Boasson, Jørgen Wettestad and Maria Bohn.  Read the article > European Oil Companies: 'Climate Change is CSR Job No. 1' (18.01.2007) A recently published survey of oil companies operating in Europe finds their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies improving and relatively advanced, with climate change mitigation now being seen by the companies as the foremost strategic issue.  More > FNI Book Evaluates International Arctic Cooperation (02.01.2007) A new book edited by FNI researchers Olav Schram Stokke and Geir Hønneland and published by Routledge, assesses the impact of international Arctic cooperation.  More > Seminar Discusses EU Influence on Norway's Energy Sector (17.11.2006) On 16 November, FNI organized a seminar to discuss how the Norwegian energy sector is influenced by EU energy and climate policies. Speakers included representatives from the European Commission, Norwegian regulators and the industry itself. Results of relevant FNI research were also presented. More > 30 Years of Successful Norwegian-Russian Fishery Management (30.10.2006) FNI Research Director Geir Hønneland has written the 30-year history of the the Joint Norwegian-Russian Fisheries Commission. The book is launched at the Commission's meeting in Tromsø today. "The Commission has been largely succesful in managing the Barents Sea stocks," Hønneland says.  More (in Norwegian)> FNI Hosts Seminar om Norwegian Environmental Policies for Asia (11.09.2006) On behalf of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, FNI will on 20 September host an open seminar to discuss environmental problems and environmental management in Asia, and possible Norwegian contributions to improving these. Download program here (in Norwegian)> FNI Organizes Seminar on Intellectual Property Rights to Genetic Resources (12.07.2006) On 16 August, FNI will organize an open seminar (in Norwegian) to discuss recent developments regarding intellectual property rights to genetic resources. The seminar will discuss the legal framework for patenting genes and also look closer at three concrete topics: marine genetic resources, agricultural genetic resources and Antarctic bioprospecting. Download programme (PDF, in Norwegian) > FNI Launches Major Project on Adriatic Sea Issues (30.06.2006) FNI today launched a four-year project on the changing legal and policy framework for marine environment protection and resource management in the Adriatic Sea. The project is a collaboration between FNI and leading academic and research institutions in Croatia. More > Farmers as Custodians of Plant Genetic Resources: Need for Legal Space (23.06.2006) Farmers are the custodians of agrobiodiversity worldwide, crucial for food security and poverty alleviation. However, the legal space for farmers to maintain this role is rapidly decreasing due to the proliferation of various forms of rules and regulations. This is documented in the FNI-led Farmers' Rights Project. Project results were presented during a recent FAO meeting, and may have contributed to a small breakthrough in the work towards realisation of Farmers' Rights. More > FNI Organizes Side Event on Farmers' Rights at FAO meeting (07.06.2006) At the first session of the Governing Body of FAO's International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) in Madrid 12-16 June, FNI is to organize an official side event on farmers' rights related to agro-biodiversity. More > FNI Publishes Textbook on Contemporary Russian Politics (30.05.2006) Fagbokforlaget today publishes a textbook in Norwegian on contemporary Russian politics, written by FNI researchers Geir Hønneland and Jørgen H. Jørgensen. The book surveys the political system and bureaucratic apparatus of the Russian Federation, focusing on the similarities and differences between Norway and Russia: For example, has the government in Russia the same political influence as that in Norway? Is a Russian 'governor' the same as county governor in Norway? More (in Norwegian) > FNI to Map Challenges for the Norwegian Coast Guard (02.05.2006) The Norwegian Ministry of Defence has decided to support a proposed FNI project to take stock of challenges facing the Norwegian Coast Guard in the North, in view of recent developments in the Barents Sea. The study is mainly to focus on the Coast Guard's future room for manoeuvre in the Svalbard Fishery Protection Zone, the consequences for the Coast Guard of increased petroleum activities in the Barents Sea, and the possibilities of extending collaboration with Russian enforcement agencies in the Barents Sea. More (in Norwegian)> FNI Explores International Policies to Control Illegal Logging (07.04.2006) In a report handed over today to the Norwegian Minister of the Environment, Helen Bjørnøy, Fridtjof Nansen Institute researcher Lars H. Gulbrandsen explores international initiatives and options for Norway on combating illegal and unsustainable logging of timber. More> FNI Receives Award for Marine Environment Protection in Croatia (06.12.2005) The Croatian Ministry of the Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development today presented to the Fridtjof Nansen Institute its annual Croatian Marine Environment Protection Award, in recognition of the Institute's contribution to the improvement of marine environmental protection in Croatia and the Adriatic Sea. More> Barents Sea Resource Management Cooperation Seminar (23.11.2005) On 22 November the Fridtjof Nansen Institute held a very well visited seminar to discuss resource management cooperation in the Barents Sea, using the recent Elektron incident as its point of departure. The main focus was on Norwegian-Russian fishery management cooperation, including discussions on how the potentially large petroleum resources in contested areas influence fishery cooperation and the various countries' positions on jurisdictional questions. 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