On January 31, 2022, Canada Eurasia Russia Business Association (CERBA) jointly with the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration organized a virtual meeting between Nathan Hunt, Founder and CERBA Moscow Board Chairman of CERBA, and future managers of the Arctic regions of Russia – second year students of the Master degree program "Management of the Development of the Regions of the North" at the Presidential Academy. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the development of Canada-Russia relations in the context of education and business.

Russia and Canada have extensive experience in interregional cooperation in the Arctic. It promotes the exchange of experience on many issues, among which the most important are the ways and forms of interaction of business with the indigenous peoples of the North, environmental protection, entrepreneurship development, social responsibility of business in relation to the territory of presence. The activity of Kinross Gold Corporation in the Chukotka Autonomous Region, its significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the indigenous population of Chukotka was separately noted, but it was especially interesting to hear about what hinders the development of small and medium-sized Canadian businesses in Russia. In the context of cooling of relations between Canada and Russia, it was important to understand the prospects for cooperation, and the meeting showed that in the Arctic, no political trends affect the implementation of plans and the desire to work together in this region.

This is a prime example of the education outreach initiatives that CERBA conducts to strengthen the reputation and create a positive public image of Canadian business in Russia, and to promote the standards and values of Canadian business among the younger generation of Russian businessmen.

CERBA extends its special gratitude to Vera Smorchkova, Professor, Doctor of Economics, Head of the Management Training Program for the North and the Arctic, for the help with organization of this event.