Czech Science and Masaryk University in the Arctic: The Future of Polar Research and Security Discussed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
On April 14, 2026, a roundtable seminar organized by the ARCTOS project and center took place in the elegant Mirror Salon of the Černín Palace on the topic of “Czech Science in the Arctic.” The event, which presented the results of Masaryk University’s research and the ongoing consolidation of Czech Arctic research, was co-organized by the ARCTOS Center and the Department of Multilateral Economic Relations (OMEV) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. Representatives from three MU faculties—the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Law, and the Faculty of Social Studies—are actively involved in the center’s activities and the research itself, enabling a comprehensive view of the issue ranging from the natural sciences to law and international relations.
According to Barbora Halašková, head of the ARCTOS Center, a debate on this topic took place for the first time in history between the academic community and the government, thereby laying the groundwork for future communication and cooperation with the government in the field of science and research.
The expert program placed Czech activities within the broader context of global changes and emphasized that the rapid warming of the Arctic has a direct impact on the Czech Republic by influencing climate patterns. The discussion also addressed geopolitical challenges, such as limited cooperation with Russia and a lack of transparency among actors, as well as paradoxical opportunities: the growing militarization of the region and melting glaciers are opening up opportunities for Czech industrial research and modern technologies, including at the level of cooperation with NATO allies.
For more information on the center’s activities, visit our web.
