Each country interested nominates a national representative (focal point), preferably a major Arctic operator with a national network to other operators.
If needed, each national representative can attend meetings with a maximum of 2-3 observers, but the total number of members of the Forum should not exceed 30.
The aim of FARO is to act as a forum for information exchange, establishment of cooperation, and development of new ideas among the national logistics operators in countries with Arctic research activities. Membership is by country with a national representative entity, typically a major Arctic operator with a national network to other operators.
Benefits to Member Countries:
- Networking and inspirational dialogue with other member countries.
- Democratic and flat organization with member countries having a high level of influence.
- Visibility of Arctic infrastructure within a pan-Arctic platform.
- Promotion of new national Arctic strategies, programs, and campaigns.
- Platform for developing bi- or multi- lateral infrastructure and science cooperation.
- Opportunities for national scientists to access infrastructure owned by other nations and/or participate in programs and projects operated by other countries.
- Influence on platform agenda supporting international cooperation on science and operations through international organizations (e.g. IASC).
How:
o Participate in FARO annual meetings and provide information to advance FARO initiatives.
o National presentations at FARO Annual meetings of national infrastructure development, new Arctic strategies and launch of larger campaigns, programs and projects.
o Use the FARO website and social media to spread news about national infrastructure developments and initiatives of interest to other Arctic operators and the Arctic science community.
o Share FARO information with national network of operators and scientists.
Benefits to All National Operators:
Membership benefits extend beyond the primary representative to all operators within a nation. It is the role of the National Points of Contact of FARO to facilitate information exchange between FARO and national operators and the scientific community through:
- Increasing visibility of Arctic infrastructure within a pan-Arctic platform.
- Sharing and discussing best practices and new developments in infrastructure operations (e.g. station/facility management, risk management, technology, communications, power production, etc.).
- Gaining access to a platform that facilitates cooperation on infrastructure between Arctic operator countries.
- Receiving and providing timely information about new strategies and larger programs or campaigns in other Arctic operator countries.
How:
o The FARO website provides links to individual infrastructures, including related thematic management documents (e.g. site manuals, risk management documents, etc.).
o FARO National Points of Contact share new information shared by the FARO Secretariat or received from annual meetings with relevant national operators.
Benefits to the Scientific Community:
Although FARO is not a scientific network, membership also benefits each nation’s scientific community. The FARO website and National Points of Contacts can help connect scientists with relevant infrastructure and operators by:
- Providing an overview of existing infrastructure and operations in the Arctic available for scientists.
- Providing links on how to access various infrastructures.
- Access to examples of risk management for Arctic field work.
How:
o The FARO website provides information about existing and planned national infrastructure and their operators to help facilitate science community access.
o Documents and information are available on the FARO website for relevant topics to aid preparations and safe field work campaigns (e.g. international, national and infrastructure-specific risk management documents).
Benefits to National and Regional Organizations:
Annual meetings provide an opportunity for regional, national and international organizations to present their use of and need for Arctic infrastructures and logistics through:
- Promotion of national and regional organizations, programs and projects within an international platform and between international organizations.
How:
o Presentations of organizations, programs and projects at annual meetings.
o Information sharing and advertising for collaborating operators and scientists.
o Information that can be shared in operator countries by FARO National Points of Contact.