Three engaged participants are ready to start the Advocacy Program!

Izabel Nordlund (photo: Carl-Johan Utsi), Per-Henning Mathisen, and Janne Hirvasvuopio (photo: Ville Fofonoff)

The Saami Council, Suoma Sámiid Guovddášsearvi, and the Interreg Aurora funded project ReCap ASáp - Regaining capacity in a changing Sápmi are happy to announce that we have hired three engaged and dedicated participants to our Advocacy program! The three participants are Izabel Nordlund (SWE), Per-Henning Mathisen (NOR), and Janne Hirvasvuopio (FIN).

— “We are excited to welcome our three participants to the Advocacy program,” says Åsa Larsson Blind, project leader for ReCap ASáp. “There were many strong applicants, and it was a challenge to narrow it down to these three candidates. With their backgrounds and commitment to Sápmi, we believe that they have what it takes to further promote and advocate for Sámi and indigenous issues at a national and international level.”

The participants come from different backgrounds, and bring with them a breadth of perspectives and knowledge from areas such as research, law and culture. Their varied experiences will bring valuable insight to each other and to Sápmi. Through their participation in the Advocacy program they will enhance their abilities and further prepare them for future work on Sámi issues. 

— “The Advocacy Program is an opportunity to get an in-depth understanding on how Sámi organisations work on promoting Sámi perspectives. It will give new and upcoming voices a chance to develop, and to establish themselves as proponents for Sápmi. ”

During the 1-year program, the participants will develop their skills through theoretical and practical tasks, as well as getting hands-on experience with Sámi organisational work. The program falls under the ReCap ASáp project, which seeks to strengthen the capacity of Sámi civil society, and to foster leaders to make change in a rapidly shifting world.

Rune Fjellheim and Petra Laiti have been hired as mentors for the participants, and will be following them closely throughout the program.