Global Issues in Governance of Natural Resources

 For More Information Contact: 

Luke Bailey [email protected]

Group Services:

• Group Private Collaborative Work Folder
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• Link to Environment Collections
• Link to USDA FS International Programs Library Collection
• Link to Interactive Workshop Space
• Link to FRAMEweb
   

The Rights and Resources Initiative and the US Forest Service have a shared and longstanding
commitment to help public forest agencies cultivate leadership to adapt to these transitions;
to strengthen their roles as forest stewards in their countries; and to build the necessary global
connections between these institutions and their leaders.

MegaFlorestais is a new informal structure to facilitate mutual learning among forest agency
leaders in the world’s large forested countries. The group is dedicated to advancing
international dialogue and exchange on forest governance and public forest agency reforms,
and to share learning on technical issues in a frank and transparent manner.
In 2009, these three entities collaborated to design a training experience for second-generation
forest leaders, which will prepare them to work with their global peers to solve future
challenges.

MegaFlorestais countries include Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cameroon, China, DRC, India, Indonesia,
Russia, and the United States.

GLOBAL ISSUES IN GOVERNANCE OF NATURAL RESOURCES

To nurture and develop leadership in key forested countries, the Rights and Resources Initiative
and the U.S. Forest Service is offering a training course in 2010 entitled Global Issues in
Governance of Natural Resources: New leadership for new challenges. The goals are to:

Engage the next generation of leaders in the public forest service, as well as other
governmental agencies that deal with forest landscapes, in a dialogue that is
informative, thought-provoking, problem-solving and mutually enriching.

Support the development of future leaders who are better prepared to deal with the
increasingly complex challenges to forest management.

Promote a robust, free, and open discussion about the global connectivity of landmanagement
issues, leading to stronger collaboration, closer networks, and a more
intense exchange among these new leaders.

Establish an annual internationally-recognized forum for forestry officers and other
professionals in to gain from and engage in cutting-edge analysis and experience
sharing with the renowned thinkers and analysts of forest-governance issues.
 

Thematic Areas

Identifying Initiatives to Tackle Climate Change and Addressing Implications for
Forest Agencies: Climate change has quickly emerged as a major global challenge.
This is causing forest agencies to reevaluate their programs and assess their role in
both mitigating and adapting to climate change.

Understanding Forest Industry in the Changing Global Marketplace: The global forest
product industry is undergoing unprecedented changes as supply and demand shift and
as the markets for food, fuel and fiber converge. These shifts, as well as growth of
domestic markets in lower and middle income countries, are creating new
opportunities for small scale forest enterprises, forest conservation and sustainable
rural development.

Designing and Implementing Forest Land Tenure Reforms and Broader Governance
Measures: Many countries are redefining the ownership of forest lands and rights of
access, presenting opportunities and challenges for advancing forest conservation and
development.

Designing Rational and more Equitable Forest Management Regulations: Continued
problems of forest degradation and illegal logging demonstrate the weakness of
conventional regulatory approaches. Many countries are rethinking how they
encourage best practice and compliance both on public and private lands.

The Role of Community Forestry Enterprises in the National Economy: Often
undervalued due to its informal status, community forestry enterprises can be
significant contributors to a country’ GDP, despite constraining regulations and lack of
access to capital. This session would focus on clarifying ways that their contribution to
local livelihoods and the national economy can be recognized and promoted.

Luke Bailey [email protected]