Based on a decision made at the Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Tromsoe in April 2009, a so-called Contact Group has been formed and set to work drafting new guidelines and strategic plans for the Council’s communications and outreach activities.The Contact Group is made up of various national representatives as well as representatives of Permanent Participants, Working Groups, the Arctic Council Secretariat, and other interested parties. Canada is leading the communications and outreach initiative.By taking this initiative, the Arctic Council is responding to an increasing demand for streamlined messaging based on well-defined objectives, targeting of audiences and for having talking…