Students from MCC's School of Law recently took part in a study trip to the renowned Fridtjof Nansen Institute in Oslo, where they gained first-hand insight into cutting-edge research on international law, geopolitics, and the environment. The program, organized by MCC’s Center for International Law , introduced participants to the Institute’s mission and history, as well as its unique interdisciplinary approach that integrates natural sciences with social and legal studies. Founded in 1958, the Nansen Institute is dedicated to research on the law of the sea, environmental law, Arctic legal and geopolitical challenges, as well as energy and security issues.
The students were welcomed by Professor Davor Vidas, one of the Institute’s leading scholars, who presented the Nansen Institute’s history, objectives, and methodologies. The program featured lectures and discussions on three pressing international topics: China’s changing role in global affairs, the growing geopolitical importance of the Arctic, and the legal challenges posed by rising sea levels due to climate change. Gorild Merethe Heggelund examined how the Paris Climate Agreement and the Western green transition have bolstered China’s economic position, with particular reference to rare earth elements as a strategic resource. Pal Skedsmo, Head of Arctic Research, analyzed the decline of Scandinavian–Russian cooperation in the Arctic since 2010 and its implications for regions such as Greenland and the Svalbard Islands. Professor Vidas himself highlighted the legal consequences of climate-induced sea-level rise for maritime economic zones.
Beyond the academic program, students also immersed themselves in Norwegian history and culture, visiting the Viking Museum to explore the heritage of the legendary seafaring people. The trip offered MCC’s future legal professionals a unique opportunity to engage with leading experts, deepen their understanding of contemporary international legal challenges, and connect global issues with practical research and policy perspectives.
