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lUCH President, Dr. Hart Hansen, chaired a session on clrcxmipolar health. From 

 this session emerged the recommendation that the lUCH encourage and establish new 

 means of international collaborative research on circumpolar health problems and 

 that further research in basic environmental and clinical sciences be adequately 

 supported. At the founding meeting of the Northern Forum in November 1991, the 

 lUCH proposal to provide support and assistance in all matters relating to 

 northern health was adopted. 



Finally, we also have formalized a collaborative-working relationship with 

 the Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC). As many of you know, the ICC is an 

 international indigenous non- governmental organization representing the Inuit of 

 Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Russia. On July 24, 1992, the ICC General Assembly 

 adopted a resolution agreeing to formally cooperate and collaborate with the lUCH 

 in all areas of circumpolar health, and to further participate in the upcoming 

 IX International Congress on Circumpolar Health, scheduled for June 1993 in 

 Reykjavik, Iceland. We consider collaboration with northern indigenous 

 organizations, such as the ICC, essential to truly improving the overall health 

 conditions for northern peoples. 



These are just some examples of the important contribution that the lUCH 

 can make to the area of Arctic or circumpolar health and social conditions. We 

 are eager to provide this assistance to the various agencies of the United States 

 government and its political sub-divisions. Such collaboration and cooperation 

 can be extremely beneficial to all northern peoples and governments. 



If you would like more information or assistance, please call upon us. 

 Thank you for Che opportunity to submit this statement. 



