Arriving at our ninth issue and looking back over a time
span of nine years since the first issue of Non-Wood News in 1994 provides us
with a unique opportunity to reflect on and take stock of the Òlessons learnedÓ
in preparing this newsletter.
The purpose of Non-Wood News is still as
valid now in 2002 as it was in 1994. Quoting the Editorial of the first issue:
The purpose of Non-Wood News, as an information bulletin, is to provide readers
with useful information and insight about the promise that the future holds in
the field of non-wood forest products (NWFPs) and the issues to be addressed
with regard to their sustainable development.
In view of the numerous
contributions and feedback we receive from readers worldwide, we hope that we
have indeed contributed to more information sharing on NWFPs among a wide range
of people from different backgrounds and countries. With the increased
accessibility to electronic communications, the NWFP-Digest-L was initiated in
2000 as a monthly e-mail information bulletin to strengthen and contribute
further to easier information exchange among people interested in the
development of NWFPs. In addition, Non-Wood News also became available online
through our NWFP Web site, which contains all previous issues of both Non-Wood
News and the NWFPDigest- L, in order to facilitate access to the wealth of
information which has been accumulating over these nine years.
Regarding
the second point of the purpose of the newsletter, i.e. "... about the
promise that the future holds in the field of NWFPs ", there indeed we still
need to work hard to make this "promise"
a reality for the millions of households
worldwide who depend heavily on NWFPs
for their subsistence needs and income.
In response to this challenge, FAOÕs
NWFP Programme, which in its early
stages gave strong emphasis to activities
on raising awareness of the role and
contribution of NWFPs to rural
development and poverty alleviation, is
now giving greater importance to the
activities which contribute directly to the
development of the NWFP sector. Key
actions include the elaboration of
methodologies for assessing resources
providing NWFPs, statistical data at the
national level for the production and trade
of NWFPs, or further clarification of the
contribution of certification and benefitsharing
arrangements to the sustainable
management of NWFPs, as well as the
promotion of selected NWFPs of key
importance, such as rattan, edible forest
plants or mushrooms, by identifying major
constraints and actions and projects
required for enhancing their sustainable
and equitable development.
In the meantime, there have been some changes in the staffing of FAO's NWFP Programme. Ms Laura Russo has taken up new responsibilities within FAO and is now dealing with the assessment of the environmental impact of forest harvesting. Laura has been with the NWFP group, and particularly with Non-Wood News, almost since its conception. We want to thank her for her tremendous and much appreciated contribution and wish her every success in her new assignment. At the same time, we welcome Mr François Ndeckere-Ziangba who has joined us. François has considerable experience with a wide range of forestry issues and knowledge of NWFPs of Central Africa to share with us.
I would like to take this opportunity to give special thanks to the person who actually makes it all happen, Ms Tina Etherington. Without her dedication and many long hours of work in compiling Non-Wood News and the NWFP-Digest, we would not even be able to produce them.
And, last but not least, all of this would not have been possible if it were not for the many reactions and text contributions we receive from you, the readers. After all, Non-Wood News is made by its readers for its readers. Again our sincere thanks go to all of you.
Paul Vantomme
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Non-wood forest products (NWFP) are goods of biological origin other than wood, derived from forests, other wooded land and trees outside forests. Non-timber forest products (NTFP), another term frequently used to cover this vast array of animal and plant products, also includes small wood and fuelwood. However, these two terms are used synonymously throughout this bulletin. Other terms, such as "minor", "secondary" or "speciality" forest products, are sometimes used to keep original names and/or titles. |