The Camden Conference has taken the current global pandemic seriously and announces that the 2021 Conference will take place, although with a change in format for this year. Despite the world's current focus on the coronavirus, other pressing issues of mankind have not gone away, and the need for the Conference's mission are just as important as ever, according to Camden Conference, in a news release.

The program, “The Geopolitics of the Arctic” will be presented on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 20-21. The Conference will use the best technology available to live stream the two-day program online, and there will still be the opportunity to ask questions.

“These changes are necessary because an event of this size takes a full year to organize and because the health and safety of the attendees and speakers are of utmost importance,” said Board President, Matt Storin, in a news release. “Therefore, the decision had to be made early in the planning process in order to facilitate this change to a virtual setting.”

The Arctic is a topic that has particular relevance to our region, encompassing diplomacy, climate change, national security, economics, and the fate of indigenous peoples. The Program Committee of the Conference is meeting regularly to select a compelling lineup of presenters, which will be announced in early fall.

In addition to the February event, the Conference plans to continue the education program for high school and college students, broadening their world horizons. Plans are also in the works to mount the extensive program of library talks across the state, beginning in September and extending up to the time of the actual Conference and beyond. Those, too, will be live-streamed, and there are plans to add other special events both before and after the February event.

The mission of the Camden Conference is to foster informed discourse on world issues. Further details on the program and registration pricing will be forthcoming in the next few months. For more information or to a member, visit www.camdenconference.org.