IUFRO-SPDC/FORNESSA Pre-Conference Training Workshop on:

"Science-Policy Interfacing: Enhancing Contributions of Forest Science and Traditional Forest-related Knowledge (TFRK) to the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Forest Resources in Africa"

Organized in conjunction with International Conference on
Traditional Forest-related Knowledge and Sustainable Forest Management in Africa

New: The Workshop Programme is now available for download.

Venue

Errata Hotel
Accra, Ghana

13-14 October 2008

Jointly organised by IUFRO’s Special Programme for Developing Countries (IUFRO-SPDC), the Forestry Research Network of Sub-Saharan Africa (FORNESSA) and the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG).

Objectives of the Training Workshop

The need for sound scientific information in the development of public environmental and forest-related policies at the local, national and international levels has grown significantly in recent years. So too has the need for such information within the private forestry sector and among non-governmental organizations, whose role in the development, sustainable management and conservation of forest resources in all regions of the world is steadily increasing in importance. Although it is commonly accepted that scientific information is indispensable for policy and management, linking substantive knowledge and authoritative political decision making is a chronically difficult task.

The training workshop aims at:

Providing concepts and methods to researchers on how to plan, conduct, and organise research activities so that research results can more quickly and easily be transformed into usable information for problem-solving and policy-making;

Explaining key aspects of science-policy interactions, and best practices for work at the science-policy interface in the context of international, national and local policy processes with special emphasis on the incorporation of traditional forest knowledge.

Presenting a wide range of case studies mainly dealing with forest-related forest management issues in Africa, but also from other regions.

Conducting hands-on exercises in working groups with focus on the formulation of research processes that adequately incorporate elements of science-policy interfacing.

The training is based on the work of international experts convened by IUFRO in its Task Force on the Science-Policy Interface. In addition, resource persons from various national and international research institutions will share their experiences with working on science-policy interactions. Results of similar IUFRO-SPDC science-policy workshops held in various regions over the past three years will also be presented.

Target Audience

The training workshop will bring together early- and mid-career scientists from developing countries in Africa who wish to increase the impact of their scientific work on policy making (i.e., research, advocacy, supervision etc.) through adequate contribution of research results and scientific knowledge to policy-making processes. A maximum number of 20 participants will be accepted in the training workshop.

Workshop Language

English (No simultaneous translation will be provided.)

Workshop Programme

Please click here for the Workshop Programme.

Scientist Assistance Programme

Scientists from low income and lower middle income developing countries (i.e. World Bank Classification) may apply for support to attend the conference and training workshop. Please indicate the need for support in your e-mail to the IUFRO-SPDC office.