Europe and Central Asia Forest Communicators Network

The UNECE/FAO Forest Communicators' Network (FCN) is the longest established network. It was set up by the UNECE Timber Committee and the FAO European Forestry Commission (EFC) almost 20 years ago. The network consists of more than 200 people from some 40 countries and 40 international organizations and institutions.

While there is often informal ongoing dialogue between members the network also meets annually.

Its objectives are:

• Supporting forest-related ECE/FAO intergovernmental bodies in reaching out to relevant constituencies, within and outside the forest sector;
• Providing a forum for international interaction and cooperation in forest related communications;
• Developing the professionalism of forest communicators by introducing and encouraging state of the art and innovative communication approaches, strengthening networking and supporting capacities in the region.

The current work programme includes

• Updating the European forest communication strategy;
• Carrying out a gap analyses of existing opinion research and make proposals for improving monitoring and regular analyses on public perception concerning forests, their management and related products;
• Building on the European Forest Pedagogics Concept based on best practice examples, common principles and quality standards for forest related environmental education;
• Providing PR advice to TC/EFC bureaus and joint secretariat, to the Team of Specialists on Forest Products Markets an Marketing as well as to other Teams of Specialists on request

The first regional workshop on forest communication for countries from Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia, was held in St Petersburg, Russian Federation in June 2016. Experts from nine countries agreed to strengthen communications and boost the visibility of forestry issues in the region.

The UNECE/FAO Forest Communicators' Network (FCN) is mandated by the UNECE Committee on Forests and the Forest Industry (COFFI) and the FAO European Forestry Commission (EFC) with the overall objective to improve the ability of the forest sector to communicate effectively, within and outside the sector on the role of forests in sustainable development and to advise the ECE/FAO Forestry and Timber Section and to support communication activities in all Work Areas, through (among others):

Contact:

• Team Leader: Kai Lintunen (Finland)
• Deputy Leaders: Jennifer Hayes (US), Lourdes Lázaro Marín (IUCN), Tomass Kotovičs (Latvia), Gerda Wolfrum (IUFRO)
• FAO Secretary: Maria De Cristofaro

News

Unlocking the power of forestry communication 20 June 2023 Prague, Czech Republic – Training on podcasts, tips on making AI do what you want and a panel discussion were on the agenda at the UNECE/FAO Forest Communicators’ Network annual workshop meeting, held in Prague. [more]

Communicating on Sustainable Forest Solutions After COVID-19 27 October 2020 A few weeks ago, broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough broke world records by reaching a million followers on Instagram in under five hours with a clear message: saving our planet is now a communications challenge. This is especially true for the world’s forests. [more]

Workshop shows scientists how to communicate complex forest issues 20 September 2018 Successfully communicating complex messages related to science, especially information involving climate change and the forest sector, was the theme of a workshop held today for scientists from around the worl [more]

Forest communicators urged to use science-based facts to fight fake news 20 September 2017 Facts are vital tools for communicators striving to help the public understand critical issues such as climate change and the forest sector, according to a session on communication during the 125th Anniversary Congress of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO). [more]

Foresters in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia acquiring strategic communication skills 4 July 2017 Strengthening strategic communications on the importance of forests and forestry in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia is the focus of a three-day international workshop opening here today. [more]

Communication, forests and climate change in Europe under discussion 29 May 2017 More than 30 forest communication experts are meeting this week in Malaga to discuss and compare their experiences on communicating the issues forests face in Europe and in other regions of the world, including climate change. [more]

Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia agree to boost forest communications 8 June 2016 Forest communications experts from nine countries in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia have agreed to strengthen communications and boost the visibility of forestry issues in the region. [more]

Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia focus on forest communications 1 June 2016 Improving communication around forests and their role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is vital to deepen awareness among policy makers and the general public, Eugenia Serova, Director of FAO’s Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, told forestry communication experts today. [more]

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