Collaborative conflict management for enhanced national forest programmes (2008 and on-going)
Introduction
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This training module is a builds on experiences with collaborative and consensus based strategies for the prevention and management of forest related conflicts in various countries around the world.
In 2008 it was been successfully piloted and validated in Uganda and the Philippines.
This training course is part of a series of training modules on specific issues designed to enhance the implementation of national forest programme principles within the frame of the “NFP for All” initiative by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the National Forest Programme Facility.
Training background
The course Collaborative conflict management for enhanced national forest programs is designed to assist participants to identify constructive ways of dealing with conflict arising from different stakeholder priorities and interests. It focuses on alternative dispute resolution as an overarching term for collaborative and consensus based strategies which can be used in a variety of ways to prevent or manage conflict. The overall objective is to bring together all interested but often opposing parties to solve problems jointly: to "negotiate" a solution acceptable to all. This requires the development of trust between the negotiating parties, which is gained through a form of decision making that is seen to be legitimate, fair, balanced and open. As such collaborative and consensus based strategies are geared to remove misunderstandings, clarify interests and establish common ground between stakeholders of a nfp process.
Course design
A 5 day training which draws on the experience of participants and trainers to examine the key issues that are emerging from conflict management in national forest programme. The course incorporates short lectures combined with a range of participatory activities and specific case study materials. The design of the course involves participants in a process of ongoing critical reflection, allowing them to link the course contents with their own experiences and apply conflict management tools and techniques in their daily work.
Course objectives
The course aims to contribute to more effective national forest programmes by expanding and strengthening the capacity of nfp facilitators and stakeholders to anticipate and respond to stakeholders’ different interests regarding forestry issues, and to seek solutions of mutual gain.
The overall objective of the training course is:
To expand and strengthen the capacity of nfp stakeholders to resolve differences and build consensus agreements.
More specifically the course aims to:
- Increase participants’ understanding and knowledge about conflicts, why they arise in a nfp context and how they can be effectively prevented;
- Provide skills, tools and processes for analyzing conflict situations in nfps;
- Inform about different procedures for resolving disputes and their inherent strengths and weaknesses so that participants are able to make informed decisions;
- Explore principles and requirements for meaningful consultation with multiple stakeholders and the tools and techniques that can be used for this purpose, thereby leading to better policy processes and outcomes;
- Enhance participants’ understanding of the principles and process of consensual negotiation and its scope of application;
- Increase participants’ understanding of the role of a third party (facilitator / mediator) and how a facilitator / mediator can assist consensual negotiations;
Improve participants’ current skills in joint decision-making and joint problem-solving through practice;
Who can apply
Individuals who are leading, facilitating or participating in nfps, i.e. nfp coordinators and facilitators and stakeholder representatives from government agencies in-and outside the forest administration, civil society, private sector and decision or policy –makers - actively involved with the nfp process.
E-mail contact in case of interest in receiving such a training:
Eva Muller, Chief, Forest Policy Service
Jerker Thunberg, Manager, FAO- NFP Facility