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Rationale

1. Arctic children and youth are in a crisis of transition.
   From every perspective - cultural, economic, environmental and social - Arctic children and youth are a generation in transition. They face the future stewardship of this biologically diverse and resource-rich region without adequate and appropriate training, life skills and educational capacity to meet and manage the complex environmental challenges and economic opportunities emerging in the region.
2. Arctic children and youth need a strong representational voice.
   Despite their needs and challenges, there is currently no national non-governmental organization in Canada dedicated solely to protecting and promoting the interest of northern children and youth. Arctic child advocacy is currently spread among diversified organizations based on Inuit, Metis and First Nations ethnicity. Without a co-ordinated voice, the needs of Arctic children and youth have figured low in the policy and funding priorities of both governments and international agencies such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization. The Arctic Children and Youth Foundation can provide added value to governments and agencies by consolidating northern representation through its members and Directors, providing expert opinion to meetings and consultations and ensuring the active and cost-effective engagement of northern interests at all levels of national and international child policy development and implementation.

3. There are major gaps in the research related to Arctic children and youth.
   While there has been limited and sporadic research done on the health and welfare of Arctic children, no effort has been made to date to co-ordinate and standardize investigations, collate these random findings into strategic policy priorities, or identify gaps in investigative efforts. The Foundation will act as a mechanism for consultation with the North, partner with appropriate research agencies and institutes to address existing gaps and serve as a credible, identifiable source to which interested northern communities, governments, international agencies and academics can turn for reliable data, expertise and contacts.
4. Arctic children and youth require Arctic-appropriate programs.
   Given the realities of life in the Arctic, effective programming for northern children and youth must emanate from the needs and priorities of that region and address their immediate concerns. The Foundation would play an essential role in developing, initiating and managing programs appropriate to the Arctic and targeted to northern priorities. Furthermore, the Foundation would assist governments and other agencies in adapting national or international programs to ensure their relevance and applicability to Arctic audiences and thereby enhance the likelihood of effective implementation and positive outcomes.