International Conference on Traditional Forest Knowledge and Sustainable Forest Management in Africa

New: Conference programme is now available for download.


Organized by:

•    The Forestry Commission of Ghana;
•    Ghana's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR);
•    University of Ghana

in association with

•    the IUFRO Task Force on Traditional Forest Knowledge;   and
•    IUFRO’s Special Programme for Developing Countries (IUFRO-SPDC)

Background and Objectives

Forests and woodlands that are the traditional homes of local and indigenous communities have historically been managed independently, or sometimes in collaboration with government agencies. Traditional forest knowledge and innovative forest management practices developed over centuries have contributed significantly to Africa’s natural and cultural heritage, while helping to sustain production of multiple goods and services that enhance livelihood security and quality of life. The increasing emphasis on ecological, social, cultural, spiritual, and economic components of sustainable forest management requires enhanced collaboration among government agencies, forest managers, local and indigenous communities, and the scientific community to develop forest management objectives and forest management practices that meet diverse criteria for sustainability.

The conference will provide a platform for sharing of information and exchanging experiences among scientists, the holders and users of traditional forest-related knowledge, forest managers and other relevant stakeholders related to traditional forest-related knowledge in Africa on the following specific topics:

• Context and history of the relationship between formal forest knowledge/’scientific’ forestry and traditional forest knowledge;

• Experiences related to resolution of conflicts between formal science and traditional knowledge and traditional management practices;

• Local and indigenous community priorities for scientific study in relation to forest resource management; and

• Best practices for including both traditional knowledge and western science in forestry education, research, resource assessments, and forest management activities.
  

Conference Programme

The programme will include oral and poster presentation and discussion sessions organized around the main conference themes. Please click here for the detailed conference programme.

A field excursion is planned during the second day of the conference and will take participants to the rainforests of the Kakum National Park, Ghana's premiere wildlife protected area. With the only canopy walkway in Africa the Park is a unique tourist attraction and only 30 minute drive from the Cape Coast and Elimina castles both citadel of the slave trade from the West Coast of Africa.

Language

The official conference language will be English. However, paper presentations can be made in French. Translation of power point slides into English prior to the conference can be arranged.

Venue

ERATA HOTEL
Ougadougou Avenue, Okponglo, East Legon
Postal Address: P.O.Box KIA 9968 Airport, Accra, Ghana
Tel.: +233 21 506343/ 515192/ 515193/ 515194
Fax: +233 21 505119
website: www.eratahotel.com
E-mail:  reservations.eratahotel(at)yahoo.co.uk

Hotel Accommodation

Rooms for participants have been reserved at the ERATA Hotel (USD 80 /person/night). Please indicate on the registration form whether you require a room at this Hotel.

•    Self sponsoring participants will have to settle their bills prior to departure
      from the Hotel;

•    For sponsored participants payment (room rate only!) will be arranged by the
      Conference Organisers

Conference Fee

A conference fee of USD 150 will be charged to each participant and covers conference documents, coffee-breaks, lunches, conference dinner and one-day field trip. Please pay the conference fee at the registration desk on 15th October.

Airport Transfer

There is a free shuttle bus service between the Airport in Accra and the ERATA Hotel. Please inform the organisers about the name of the airline as well as your arrival date and time.

Please click here to register for the conference.

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 on the registration form.

Submission of Abstracts: Deadline 31 July, 2008

Please click here if you want to submit a paper or poster.

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 this Conference at the same venue on 13 and 14 October 2008. More information and registration ...