Preparations under way for the International Year of Mountains 2002
Despite their imposing presence, mountains are very fragile environments. The degradation of mountain environments affects nearly half of the world's population, including both highland and lowland communities, and poses a serious threat not only to the world's water resources but also to biodiversity, food security and cultural diversity. Since public services have often been concentrated in lowland areas (the principal centres of economic production), mountain regions remain among the poorest areas of the world.
Mountains provide 30 to 60 percent of freshwater in humid areas and 70 to 95 percent in more arid environments. They are also key reservoirs for plant genetic resources, offering tremendous potential for agriculture and medicine. To raise awareness of the social and economic benefits of investing in mountain areas and to trigger action on issues relating to sustainable mountain development, the United Nations (UN) has declared 2002 as the International Year of Mountains (IYM).
A series of initiatives and events is being planned to increase awareness, promote action and provide key information on mountain-related topics. Events will take place at the global, regional and national levels, with those at the national level expected to have the most significant and lasting impact. Since issues relating to freshwater involve complex interactions between highland and lowland regions, and thus the potential for conflict, the year's activities will emphasize the importance of careful management of mountain water for promoting peace. Another key objective of IYM is to promote and defend the cultural heritage of mountain communities, and to encourage governments to consider ways of giving mountain communities a greater say in decisions that affect the management of local resources.
FAO is the lead agency for IYM, working in collaboration with governments, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), other UN agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The Inter-agency Group on Mountains, established in 1994 to provide guidance and support to FAO in its role as task manager of Chapter 13 of Agenda 21 (Sustainable Mountain Development), also acts as an advisory group.
As part of the preparations for IYM, a new Web site has been launched, accessible from the FAO home page, in English (www.mountains2002.org), French (www.montagnes2002.org)
and Spanish (www.montanas2002.org).
It currently contains basic background information (including the IYM concept paper), a guide to partner organizations and events, a postcards section and an indication of new sections to be added in the months ahead.
XXI IUFRO World Congress discusses forests and society
At the XXI International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO) World Congress, held from 7 to 12 August 2000 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, almost 2 400 participants from 96 countries considered the theme Forests and society: the role of research. The participants included 169 scientists from 38 developing countries supported by the donor-supported Scientist Assistance Programme.
The opening speech was delivered by Malaysia's Ministry of Primary Industries, Lim Keng Yaik, on behalf of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Five keynote addresses highlighted new visions for forestry and forestry research for the new millennium.
More than 500 papers were presented in 125 group sessions, and 88 papers in the subplenary sessions. Poster presentations were given strong weight for the first time, with 833 approved posters displayed during the congress.
The congress passed resolutions on the role of forests and trees in human welfare; the attention paid by policy-makers to enhancing the interface of science, policy and industry; the role of IUFRO in intergovernmental processes; research and the impacts of forestry activities that follow networking and interdisciplinary approaches; the development of information access and supply through the Global Forest Information Service (GFIS); and the enhancement of research capacity through the encouragement of the role of women and disadvantaged researchers in forest science. These resolutions will be presented to governments in countries where IUFRO is represented, as well as to policy-makers all over the world.
International Conference on Forests and Sustainable Development: the Value of Forests
Approximately 400 people participated in the International Conference on Forests and Sustainable Development: the Value of Forests, which was convened from 12 to 13 October 2000 at the United Nations University in Tokyo, Japan. The conference was organized by the United Nations University, the World Commission on Forests and Sustainable Development, the Environment Agency of Japan and the Forestry Agency of Japan. Along with several other international and Japanese organizations, FAO supported the conference.
Keynote addresses were given by Ola Ullsten, former Prime Minister of Sweden and Co-Chair of the World Commission on Forests and Sustainable Development, and Matti Palo, Programme Director for the Finnish Forest Research Institute.
The conference considered the following themes:
The presentations stimulated considerable interest and discussion.
A draft Conference Declaration was prepared and discussed during the last session of the conference. The draft declaration called on the UN to designate an International Year of Forests in the near future. It also called on participants to contribute to FAO's work in preparing the Secretary General's report on Rio+10. There was also considerable discussion on the idea of establishing a "forest capital index" as a method for highlighting the international state and value of forests.
Specialists in forestry public relations meet in Canada and adopt common vision
More than 60 forestry public relations specialists from 16 countries across Europe and North America laid the foundation for increased international interaction and cooperation at the first International Forest Communicators' Forum at St John's, Newfoundland, Canada, from 6 to 8 September 2000.
The forum, hosted by the Canadian Forest Service of Natural Resources Canada and organized under the auspices of a joint FAO/Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) team of public relations specialists in the forest and forest industries sector, had the objectives of:
Participants and panelists were from government, international organizations, advocacy groups, industry, research and academic institutions, marketing and public relations and environmental NGOs.
The intense three-day programme included presentations by important wood purchasers (for example, the Canadian branch of IKEA, the international home furnishings marketers) as well as representatives of industry associations (for example, the Canadian Wood Council).
Of particular interest were discussions concerning market research on consumers' perspectives of forest management and forestry practices and a comparison of these perceptions with reality; and concerning threats to wood products from substitutes such as plastics and steel. A highlight of this part of the forum was a presentation by a representative of the public relations agency responsible for the media campaign aimed at promoting the use of steel rather than wood in home construction.
The participants agreed that, although in most of Europe and North America forest resources are increasing and forest management is at the cutting edge of sustainability, public perceptions are still of a resource in decline and of a wasteful and uncaring industry. Essentially, people still do not believe that the forests can be used for production and still be sustainably managed.
Forum participants adopted a common vision for a changed perception of the sector by the year 2010: that the public should accept the renewability of forests and recognize that the forest and forest industries sector cares about the sustainability of forests and forest-based products. The strategy and methodology to achieve the 2010 vision would need to be developed on a country-by-country basis.
The participants recommended that responsibility for ongoing development of the concepts developed at the first forum be assigned to the joint FAO/ECE team of public relations specialists in the forest and forest industries sector, and that consideration be given to holding another forum in approximately two years' time.
The complete forum report may be obtained by contacting:
Ed Pepke, Timber Section, Trade Division, UN-ECE and FAO. Palais des Nations, Geneva 10, Switzerland CH-1211.
Tel.: (+41) 22 917 2872
Fax: (+41) 22 917 0041
E-mail: [email protected]
