Saqqummersitaq

The four Nordic island societies of the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and the Åland Islands have great differences both culturally and historically as to how, and to what extent, they have achieved autonomy/independence. At the same time, in some areas they have more in common with each other than with the other Nordic countries: Living conditions, with a dependence on nature. Small communities, with a prominent visibility and dependence on each other, where daily life is subject to strong traditions. And, to various degrees, the struggle for autonomy and independence.

Despite the four island societies being more or less independent parts of Nordic society, two of these, the Faroe Islands and the Åland Islands, have hardly been mentioned within criminological contexts. And no attempts have been made to look at these four areas collectively.
In order to more closely investigate the Nordic island societies within a criminological context, a group of researchers decided to focus on crime, incarceration and control in the four Nordic island societies. This report is the first result of the working group’s work.

The Scandinavian Research Council for Criminology has supported the working group both in the publication of this report and in connection with travels to three of the four island societies.

Residents across the Baffin Bay/Davis Strait (BBDS) region have experienced common challenges in relation to rapid development and changes in living conditions, and they continue to adapt to the legacy of colonization. However, there are still significant symptoms of social problems and mental vulnerability. The strong relation to nature and the importance of artistic creativity and cohesion remain central to the life of Inuit. These factors are of great importance for mental health and well-being.

Commodity prices, together with extraction prices and technology development – not climate change effects – are the main drivers of change in the Baffin Bay/ Davis Strait (BBDS) non-living resources sector. The commodity prices of mineral resources are expected to decline in the coming years.