| Summary: | The Future of Children and Youth of the Arctic, an initiative of the Arctic Council, was developed to contribute to sustainable development in the Arctic. Ministers of the eight Arctic Council States endorsed this initiative in September 1998 and the Senior Arctic Officials endorsed a revised work plan in May 1999. The current goals are: $ to improve the health and well-being of children and youth of the Arctic; $ to improve the basis for sound decision-making by increasing the knowledge and understanding of sustainable development among Arctic youth and children. Sustainable development in the circumpolar North is only achievable if sustainable development knowledge and information, both traditional knowledge and western science, is promoted and made accessible to the people of this region on an on-going basis. The next generation must be prepared to deal with issues such as those presented by environmental health risks and dangers to health brought about by socio-economic and other factors. Plans for the first 18 months of the initiative were developed in March 1999 by representatives of Arctic Council member states and Permanent Participants. These plans were followed and the results are described below, along with plans for the next biennium.
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