This thesis examines the state of knowledge society development in Greenland and the contribution of highly educated returnees to the development of the information society. To ensure sustainable economic development, several Arctic peripheries, including Greenland, are seeking to shift the focus of their economies from the exploitation of natural resources to a knowledge-based and innovation-based society.

This thesis examines how the development of the knowledge society is taken into account in the strategies and reports published by the Home Rule Government of Greenland and the Municipality of Sermersooq, and analyzes the role of higher education professionals in their implementation. In addition, the self-governments measures to attract highly educated returnees will be examined, and the motives be hind migration of highly educated Greenlanders and their views on the development of the local information society will be analyzed.

The material of the thesis consists of four strategies and reports published by the Home Rule Government of Greenland and the Municipality of Sermersooq, as well as interviews with ten highly educated returnees from Greenland and one local government official. The material is processed using both theory-based and data-driven content analysis.

The results of the first section of the study show that, based on current economic structures, the development of the knowledge society in Greenland is still in early phase. The development of Greenlandic society towards a knowledge-based society starts with the improvement of basic conditions, such as the primary school system and infrastructure. Self-government takes action to promote the maintenance of domestic relations for young people studying abroad.

According to the results of the second research section, the collective motive for the young Greenlanders interviewed to move elsewhere is the acquisition of education. The range of motives for return migration is wider, focusing on attraction factors. Highly educated returnees feel their contribution to the development of society is strong.

The results highlight areas of information society development that have received less attention in the documents examined, such as the development of information and communication technologies and innovations. There may be a need for further research to strengthen these areas. Examining the motives and views of returnees broadens the understanding of Greenland's skills development