The think tank Le Cercle Polaire invited the Penninghen school to design an emblem for Antarctica. This was introduced by a series of lectures presenting the history and challenges of Antarctica, a continent covered in ice, surrounded by ocean, and internationalised. “Antarctica, a natural wonder, but above all it is our common home,” said former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2007, hence the resulting initiative to propose the collaborative creation of a flag for this vast territory with a unique legal status managed by the international community.

In a diplomatic context bringing together 58 states, the creation of this emblem is the first part of an educational and political initiative aimed at the younger generation. On the initiative of the Le Cercle Polaire association and the Penninghen school, the initiative may be taken up successively by other higher education institutions in the member countries of the Cumulus network, thus giving substance to the ideal of international recognition of this « land of peace and science », enshrined in the Antarctic Treaty System.

The South Pole is an area dedicated to scientific research and a privileged space for international cooperation. As a demilitarized zone, Antarctica is also exempt from any territorial appropriation, even though seven countries, including France, claim a portion of this territory. Numerous scientific stations are located there.

Under the influence of climate change, the evolution of the energy situation, and the emergence of a new multipolar world order, the high latitudes, some of the most unspoiled natural areas on our planet, are the subject of increasingly strategic positioning on the part of certain powers. As an internationalized area, it is surprising that the international Antarctic community has never taken the initiative to adopt a universal emblem beyond the multiplicity of national emblems.

Developing an emblem for Antarctica represents a real challenge and a powerful political symbol in the current era. It reflects a desire to give the planet a unified and universal graphic expression, beyond national self-interest.

The sixth continent is the manifestation of what does not belong to us, while reflecting our past, present, and future actions. As French explorer Jean-Louis Etienne so aptly put it: « Antarctica is not a continent for man. It is a continent for Nature. »

Gilles Poplin, Director of the Penninghen School, and Laurent Mayet, President of the Cercle Polaire, February 2026

INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT

Antarctica, the last unspoiled land and sea on our planet, benefits from a unique international legal regime (Antarctic Treaty System, in short « ATS ») that freezes territorial claims and protects it from mining. Historically claimed by seven claimant states, the 1959 Antarctic Treaty froze these territorial claims in favor of an international governance. The Madrid Protocol, signed in 1991, declares the Antarctic Treaty area (beyond 60° South latitude) a « natural reserve dedicated to science and peace ».

This vast natural area is jointly managed by (to date) 58 states, and the Antarctic Treaty remains open to all interested states. As an internationalized zone, it is surprising that the international community has never taken the initiative to give Antarctica a universal emblem.

AN EMBLEM FOR THE ANTARCTIC TREATY PERMANENT SECRETARIAT

Failing to overcome latent or overt nationalism in Antarctica and assert the international dimension of the Antarctic region, the Parties to the Antarctic Treaty have adopted the diplomatically neutral solution of an emblem for the international organization of the Antarctic Treaty, or more precisely, an emblem for the permanent secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty, based in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The use of this flag is the result of Article 7 of the headquarters agreement negotiated with Argentina. The flag is derived from the ATS emblem adopted in Warsaw (25^th RCTA, September 10-20, 2002) on the initiative of the United Kingdom, on which occasion a flag was officially adopted as the « formal emblem of the Antarctic Treaty » (Decision 2, 2002). This flag shows a map of the Antarctic continent in white on a navy blue background (RGB: 000-051-102. CMYK: 100-56-0-34. Pantone 295C) with the main latitude and longitude lines superimposed.

Some argue that this emblem is now recognized as an emblem of Antarctica and not just of the treaty organization, but this statement poorly conceals the difficulty that the international community of States Parties to the Antarctic Treaty has in reconciling two conflicting views of Antarctica: « Whilst for some (the seven claimants), Antarctica is a territory divided into different sectors claimed by states; for others (potentially, the 51 non-claimant States Parties to the Treaty), it is an international space that cannot be claimed » (Anne Choquet, 2009).

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME « AN EMBLEM FOR ANTARCTICA »

• Create the conditions for developing an emblem for Antarctica
• Give a title to the initiative
• Develop a symbol for Antarctica that transcends the cultural and linguistic specificities of the 58 Parties to the Antarctic Treaty, aiming for a representation of global or universal reach.
• Draft a manifesto informed by research in support of this vision of Antarctica, “our common home”
• Draft a press release (supporting arguments)
• Design scenarios for transmission and handover (public opinion, NGOs, administrations, diplomats, delegates to the annual Antarctic Treaty meetings)

PLANNING

Lecture series from 21.01 to 11.02 (open to all Master’s 2 students)

Creation is a language of which we are the interpreters. To enlighten students and give the project its full scope and legitimacy, a lecture series is organised, bringing together different viewpoints from stakeholders. Converging divergent perspectives.

Workshop from 23 to 27.02.2026, 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm

Design of the emblem and communication materials

Final Presentation 11.03.2026

The Penninghen school’s proposed emblem for antarctica

PRESS REVIEW

CHRONIQUES LITTORALES – FRANCE INTER

Jose Manuel Lamarque dedicated a feature to the initiative “An Emblem for Antarctica” in his programme Chroniques littorales on France Inter, Thursday 14 May 2026.