Next on Greenland’s path to greater independence: 'Free Association'?
Greenland's constitutional relation to Denmark is strained. Greenland explores possibilities for a greater say in foreign, security and defense policy, while increased pressure from the current geopolitical freeze makes differences in interests between Copenhagen and Nuuk apparent and the need to coordinate urgent. And now, a Greenlandic draft constitution is unveiled.
In recent decades, discussions in Greenland about how to organize future sovereignty have increasingly returned to the concept of free association.
To understand what future course, Greenland might be setting itself on, DIIS in collaboration with Ilisimatusarfik/University of Greenland invites for a seminar in Nuuk, 24 May 2023, to discuss
- current experiences with free association in the pacific island states with this model of independence;
- the reasons why free association arrangements does not exist elsewhere, including in the North Atlantic;
- select aspects of international law pointing to dilemmas for Greenland in relation to free association.
Brief version of the academic analyses will be made available via diis.dk and uni.gl (in Greenlandic and English) in advance of the seminar. Greenlandic politicians, diplomats, NGOs, and intellectuals have been invited to discuss Greenlandic perspectives.
The seminar was held on 24 May 2023 at 09.00-16.15 in Pikialaarfik's auditorium in Nuuk. The seminar was organised in collaboration with lisimatusarfik/University of Greenland, Nasiffik Centre for Foreign & Security Policy.