FAO-ITTO-IUFRO Global Forest Education Project

The Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Tropical Timber Organization and the International Union of Forest Research Organizations were lead partners in a project entitled “Creation of a Global Forest Education Platform and Launch of a Joint Initiative under the Aegis of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests”.  The project is financed by the Germany Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). It was operational from November 2019 through June 2021. 

The goal of the project was to catalyze, accelerate and enhance broad efforts in forest education at national and local levels in developing countries and to counteract the considerable deficiencies in forest education in many parts of the world.

The project was designed to prepare the foundation for a longer-term effort in forest education, envisaged as a Joint Initiative of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests.

Activities

Global assessment on forest education

The project undertook an assessment of the status of forest education globally. For the first time ever, a survey was carried out to inventory ongoing activities, key actors, objectives and achievements at all levels of formal education.

Six regional assessments based on the survey results and information from a literature search and from forest education experts were completed.  These reports were synthesized in a global report on the status of forest education. 

International Conference on Forest Education  

©FAOThis major international conference brought together a wide range of stakeholders to discuss the status of forest education in the six regions, identify needed actions to improve forest education and provide recommendations for a multi-partner effort to address the needs.  

Online forest education resources

©FAO/Roberto CenciarelliTwo project components are aimed at improving online resources on forest education.

• Online Platform on Forest Education
  A prototype of an online platform to provide information on forest education globally is being developed under the leadership of IUFRO.
• Online Learning Course on Legal and Sustainable Supply Chains for Tropical Timber and Forest Products
  This course is being developed under the leadership of ITTO as a pilot effort in online forest-related learning.

Videos

Students call for Investing in forest education for a sustainable future

Providing students with a foundation to better understand the vital role of forests is a critical step to safeguarding natural resources for future generations. Raising awareness among today’s children about sustainable use and conservation encourages the young adults of tomorrow to make responsible decisions about the environment.

Message on the importance of forest education from Matthias Schowerer of Germany’s Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture

Matthias Schwoerer, Head of Division, European and International Forest Policy, Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Germany explains why the German Government has committed to support major new initiatives to increase professional training and early skills development in forest education for children.