Cultural Training- March 5, 2010

To kick off our final cultural training meeting we discussed how the Artic is relevant to us. After reading multiple articles about the battle for power in the Artic as the ice melts between Germany, Russia, US, and Norway. This new age Gold Rush is a battle for resources and passage. Russia seems to be a powerful factor as they try to gain as much of the ocean area as possible in order to make large profits. Norway on the other hand seemingly can get away with a little bit more than Russia due to the fact it is less talked about. By introducing new technology into the Artic we are becoming a part of something bigger, because we are aiding in the race for resources. By being able to explore and test the newly accessible marine areas, new resources and innovations can arise. Our project has the possibility to have a lasting impact on people.

Our conversation then changed as we moved onto a very debated topic of whaling led by Alex. We started on Greenpeace and what it meant to us. Some viewed it with pride and looked at it as a success, while others said their idea of Greenpeace was militant hippies. We talked about one incident where members of Greenpeace chased down Norwegian whalers, the problem was, it was the Greenpeace members in the large boat chasing the small family boat. This made the Greenpeace members seem like the bad guys.

We learned of the history of Norwegian whaling, it started in the 1900s with just fishing and farming, but this left the Norwegians with little to do in the summer time. They soon took up small boats and harpoons and set out for whales in the 1930s. They hunted and killed minke whales, and by the 1980s this became 50-75% of their income. Back then and still today it is very community focused, with small owner operated boats, families helping once then men return, and the majority of the goods staying in the community.

In 1982 the IWC (International Whaling Commission) issued a moratorium banning whale hunting, which Norway complied with until 1992 where they presented a reasonable argument backed with research and facts on how to safely and with the least amount of harm to the whales continue harvesting them without endangering the population. The IWC did not accept their plan for a sustainable hunting of whales on a more ethical reasoning. They seemed to be under the influence of the "super whale" which is the combination of all the special attributes belonging to a single type of whale. The whale also seemed to be becoming a well known symbol of peace. It seemed morally wrong to some because the whale seems to be so mystical and close to humans, that it is impossible to compare it to normal harvesting of our commonly eaten land animals. This focus on the elimination of whaling was immediate gratification; it is easy to see the action and feel something being accomplished. This may overshadow more important issues that could be more difficult and a longer process before people can begin seeing the change.

We then compared the community focused Norway to Japan. Japan's practices leave the waters polluted which harms wildlife, their whaling is very commercial and big business ran with factory ships, and they do not limit their catches to a specific species of whale or certain season. Both Seinfeld and South Park have made an episode that relates to Japanese whaling, and a recent documentary The Cove has real footage from Japanese cruelty towards dolphins.

Our conversation finally to a change as we listened to Kevin as he told us about dams in Norway and their building standards. Bringing our conversation back to our second cultural training with the Sami people being negatively influenced by the industrialization and dam building when one ruined the Alta dam ruined their home. Because of the Alta incident over 400 basins are now protected. In response to a United Nations environmental committee on dams, they stated in about 5 different ways that the rights of the indigenous people.

A big issue in Norway is their energy issue, they have too much! They run on about 96% hydroelectric power, and 88% of that is controlled by the state or local government. They are trying to get locals to break into industry. The need for some friendly competition produces an idea of subcontracting or turning power into a franchise business possibly. A fun fact researched on the spot was Paraguay is 100% hydroelectric and sells 90% of their power.

Greg then gave us an overview of Norwegian Foreign/International/Humanitarian Aid. It started off in stating they were interested in a hands off approach. They believe on making lasting improvements that will strengthen their own abilities. Norway splits their assistance both bilateral (directly) and multilateral (UNICEF, etc). Norway's foreign aid policy helps 3rd world countries fight poverty, by the end of January they donated $17.5 million dollars to Haiti. In 1987 they were the number 1 provider of foreign aid percent of national GNP, and was number 4 in 2002. The Norwegian Labor Movement aides the population throughout Norway. A goal of helping people is to help build confidence and raise self sufficiency and egalitarianism.

Frank's topic was closely linked with Greg's as he went into details about how one way that Norway helped others is by helping others develop dams. Not only information, and aid, but also money to help fund the project. Norway helped Ethiopia build dams to harness power. The UN partnered with Norway to share experience, knowledge, and expertise so the people they teach have the skills and experience needed to be self-sufficient. Norway helped invest in clean energy in North Africa with multilateral and bilateral assistance. They helped fund the Tigre Dam which provided clean water and benefited over 550 households. One of the odd things brought up was how Norway doesn't always follow its own guidelines for building when going to other countries.

To wrap up the night Kevin once again took the lead to discuss environmental issues currently in Norway. While they are not nearly as discussed as the whaling issue, the issues were just brought to our attention. The idea of wind power plants are faced with the idea that they are visually unappealing and a danger to birds. Greenhouses versus gas. The increase in CO2. Ice shelves retreating destroying certain indigenous habitats. Pollution has been steadily decreasing over the decade. The problem of wolf hunting and whaling. And water policies concerning the basins and pollution. Some of the controversy stems form the very simple conflicting ideas of keeping nature as a whole versus protecting each individual animal.

Our last cultural training was an action packed one that hit a big touchy topic for Norway as well as exploring all the good that Norway provides to other countries.