In view of the continuing critical importance of hunting, trapping and trade in natural resources for the social, culture and economic health of many northern communities,
We, the participants in the 2nd International Congress of Arctic Social Sciences, call on those governments, intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations opposing such necessary productive activities, to become better informed about the damaging impacts their actions have upon individuals, families and whole communities in many remote areas.
We also respectfully urge governments to seek scientific advice when considering the impacts their actions cause, and to exercise caution in accepting information from groups whose activities include emotional campaigns opposing the consumptive use of natural resources.
We would remind all those whose actions deprive hunters and trappers of their livelihood, that such activities violate the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights which many nations have pledged to uphold, as well as contradicting the principle of sustainable and equitable use of natural resources set down in the World Conservation Strategy and subsequently endorsed by 170 nations at the 1992 UN Earth Summit at Rio.
Finally, we urge the International Whaling Commission to respect the social, cultural and economic rights of community-based whalers to utilize non-endangered whale stocks on a sustainable basis, in accord with the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling and advice received from the IWC Scientific Committee.