Background
The effectiveness of sustainable forest management initiatives such as forest and landscape restoration (FLR) efforts often depends on the successful involvement and collaboration of key stakeholders. However, local communities, governments, companies and nongovernmental organizations often have significantly different views on how forests should be managed and used.
Conflicts over forest resources impede efforts to ensure that forests are sustainably utilized for their social, economic, and ecological values. Unresolved conflicts can also further marginalize the needs of stakeholders whose livelihoods are reliant on forests, obstructing countries from achieving the goals of inclusive and sustainable development.
The Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission and the third Asia Pacific Sector Outlook Study have highlighted the need to support and invest in regional and national capacity-building on conflict resolution in forestry. Having sufficient human resources capable of effectively managing complex conflict situations is of high priority. Thus, strengthening the capacity of forestry professionals and other key actors is an essential step towards turning forest-related conflicts into opportunities for positive change.
Contents
The training will facilitate, among other things, participants’ knowledge of:
- best practices for conflict management in the region;
- identifying and addressing the root causes of disputes; and
- recognizing signs of potential disputes and implementing preventative approaches.