On January 24, NEFU Rector Evgenia Mikhailova met with Professor of the University of Lapland Florian Stammler, representatives of the University of Cambridge Piers Vitebsky and Isabella Oland and a leading researcher of the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology Natalia Novikova. During the meeting, they discussed the issues of contemporary cultural studies, anthropology, and ethnography.

Anatoly Alekseev, Associate Professor of the Department of "Archaeology and History of the North-East of Russia" of NEFU Faculty of History shared the results of joint projects, talked about publications in scientific journals and summarized the seminars. Data on the transformation of the traditional culture of northern peoples was published on materials of the seven scientific expeditions to Kamchatka and Krasnoyarsk Krai. "Unfortunately, there is almost no home reindeer breeding and the unemployment prevails. Many northerners have to hunt wild deer and fish", Anatoly Alekseev said.

The subject of alcoholism among the northern nations was touched on. "There should be a special restriction of alcohol sale in the North, Natalia Novikova, leading researcher at the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology said. – But we should not rely only on the law and the state. Communities may help with the situation."

"The theme of alcoholism of inhabitants of the Arctic regions is taboo subject. The topic does not bring up in the official publications", Professor of the University of Lapland Florian Stammler said.

However, despite the difficulties, there is some progress in the fight against alcoholism. This is not the only issue the Northern Peoples have. Issues of infrastructure, housing are also on the agenda.

The plans of North-Eastern Federal University are expansion of cultural projects, the creation of summer ethnographic school and publication of collection, which includes all monographs on the subject, published by the university in foreign publications.