Dear Readers, This month I would like to draw your attention to two open-subscription training courses RECOFTC will host later in the year. The first is a course on managing natural resource conflict; it will introduce participants to basic principles, skills, and techniques in analyzing and mediating conflict. The second course is on participatory landscape-level planning, monitoring, and implementation. The landscape course has scholarships available; please take a look at Events and Activities to find out more. In this month’s commentary, RECOFTC’s Thomas Enters looks at the need for a globally-agreed operational definition of forest degradation – especially important with REDD high on the forestry agenda. We appreciate the opportunity to share community forestry-related news and welcome feedback and exchange. Please send your updates and the areas of interest you would like featured via e-mail to julian@recoftc.org. The Editor
	TABLE OF CONTENTS
	COMMENTARY OF THE MONTH Can You Define the Second ‘D’ in REDD? NEWS FROM THE PRESS 1. Cambodia: Bush-whacked in the Kingdom’s Newest Protected Forest 2. Cambodia: Cambodia on Track to Reach 60% Forest Cover 3. Cambodia: Land Sub-decree on Agenda 4. Indonesia: Indonesia to Allow Underground Mining in Forests 5. Indonesia: Sustainable Logging to Solve Deforestation 6. International: Deforestation ‘Lynchpin’ in Global Climate Talks 7. International: Plants Buy Earth More Time as CO2 Makes Them Grow 8. International: REDD and the Rights of Indigenous People—Ensuring Equity and Participation in World Bank Funds 9. Malaysia: A Tribal Struggle in Borneo 10. Pakistan: Rs13 Billion Allocated to Provinces For Forestry UPDATES FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY 1. Conference Calls for Greater Role of Indigenous Peoples in Climate Solutions 2. Economic Woes and Global Palm Oil Demand May Damage Moves to Slow Deforestation 3. The Role of Forest as Carbon Sinks at Risk 4. IISD Launch Community-Based Risk Screening Tool 5. Indonesia Says REDD is Unworkable 6. Recent Studies Find Vicious Cycle Between Climate and Wildfires in Southeast Asia 7. Southeast Asia Faces Soaring Economic Costs if Climate Action is Delayed 8. United Nations Forum on Forests Convenes 8^th Session in New York PUBLICATIONS 1. Asia-Pacific Forestry Week: Forestry in a Changing World 2. Exploiting Natural Resources: Growth, Instability, and Conflict in the Middle East and Asia 3. Forests for the Future: Indigenous Forest Management in a Changing World 4. ‘Land Grabbing’ by Foreign Investors in Developing Countries: Risks and Opportunities 5. Natural Resource Wealth, Conflict, and Peacebuilding 6. Putting a Livelihood Perspective into Practice: Systemic Approach to Rural Development 7. Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD): An Options Assessment Report 8. The Future of Forests in Asia and the Pacific: Outlook for 2020 EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES 1. International Conference: The 8th Meeting of Asia Forest Partnership and AFP Dialogue: REDD and Combating Illegal Logging 2. International Conference: Biofuels—The Impact of Oil Palm on Forests and Climate 3. International Conference on Forest Tenure, Governance and Enterprise: New Opportunities for Livelihoods and Wealth in Central and West Africa 4. International Consultation: PEFC International Standards Revision 5. Training Event: Managing Conflict for Natural Resource Management 6. Training Event: Landscape Functions and People—Applying Strategic Planning Approaches for Good Natural Resource Governance 7. Call for Abstracts: Community Forestry International Workshop 8. 2nd Call for Papers: Decentralization, Power and Tenure Rights of Forest-Dependent People 9. Call for Responses: REDD Governance and Local Participation JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES 1. Professor of Tropical Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University 2. Chief Technical Advisor, RECOFTC Cambodia Project 3. Assistant Program Officer—Program Coordination, RECOFTC 4. Assistant Program Officer—Capacity Building, RECOFTC 5. Assistant Program Officer—Fundraising, RECOFTC 6. Assistant Program Officer—Communications, RECOFTC 7. Advanced Study Internship, Agroforestry Net NETWORK OF THE MONTH SDplanNet—Asia&Pacific RECOFTC ANNOUNCEMENTS RECOFTC Rocks With the Hard Rock Café
	COMMENTARY OF THE MONTH
	Can You Define the Second ‘D’ in REDD? Thomas Enters, Manager of Regional Analysis and Country Support (RECAS), thomas.enters@recoftc.org During the past 20 years I have wandered through many degraded forests in Asia and the Pacific. Some were more degraded than others; in extreme cases, repeated logging has left little of what most people would recognize as a forest. In some, only the bigger trees had been cut. The remaining forest stand, although at times severely damaged, remained. In others, there was little left but lianas, ferns and bamboo. In Southeast Asia, shifting cultivators have also dramatically changed the forest ecosystem structure. Once-contiguous forests are now dotted with small and large gaps occupied by bare soil, a variety of grasses, a rice field or secondary forests. All these forests showed signs of reduced capacity to provide goods and services—a common definition for forest degradation which, as widely recognized, is too broad for operational purposes. The problem with my cursory assessment is that I do not know how to define forest degradation. The more I think about it, the less clear the answer appears. Surely, the taking of one tree in the huge forests of Siberia or Amazonia does not constitute degradation. How about two, two hundred, or two million trees? How about hunting or the exploitation of non-timber forest products? How about replacing a natural forest with a plantation? From a carbon perspective we may have enriched the forest, but from a biodiversity perspective we surely have not. I have the feeling that many people are looking for some answers to this, especially as forest degradation features prominently in recent global goals and targets related to forests: § The first of the four Global Objectives on Forests of the Non-Legally Binding Instrument on All Types of Forests agreed to by members of the United Nations Forum on Forests includes the objective to "increase efforts to prevent forest degradation." § Parties at UNFCCC COP 13 agreed to take action on the Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) in developing countries. § The 2010 Biodiversity Target of the Convention on Biological Diversity includes an indicator on ecosystem fragmentation and connectivity. These all entail the assessment and monitoring of forest degradation, but there continues to be a lack of a globally-agreed operational definition of forest degradation or degraded forests. Perceptions vary greatly depending on the specific interest, be it biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, wood production, soil conservation, or recreation. If you have some answers, you might be interested in FAO’s call for case studies on methodologies and tools for assessing forest degradation. The organizers of the exercise offer attractive incentives for innovative and practical answers. Mentioning incentives reminds me of something else. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in many forest areas is only possible by effectively involving local people in reversing forest degradation and monitoring changes in carbon stocks over time. Through this, there is potential to generate much needed income, i.e. the incentive for local people to provide such services. That’s why RECOFTC and its partners are making considerable effort to ensure that local voices are heard, and REDD’s social dimensions recognized, in the global debate (see our website for more on this). However, for REDD and other related initiatives to make a difference to the millions living in and around forests, we need a practical and accepted definition. It’s not sufficient to just acknowledge that forests are degraded. I have not yet found the definition; perhaps you can do better. ***Disclaimer*** This commentary represents the views of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of RECOFTC. Back to TOC
	NEWS FROM THE PRESS
	1. Cambodia: Bush-whacked in the Kingdom’s Newest Protected Forests Source: The Phnom Penh Post, 6 April 2009 The Royal Government of Cambodia created the country's fourth protected forest in Ratanakkiri province in January this year. Comprising some 100,000 hectares, the O'Yadav Protected Forest is mostly uninhabited, although dozens of species of wild animals, some endangered, live there. It is also slated to become the Kingdom's first game hunting reserve. In this article, Phnom Penh Post Editor-in-Chief Michael Hayes writes of his recent visit to the area. Full text Back to TOC 2. Cambodia: Cambodia on Track to Reach 60% Forest Cover Source: The Phnom Penh Post, 27 April 2009 Cambodia is nearing its Millennium Development Goal of maintaining 60% forest coverage by 2010, according to the Forestry Administration (FA). Despite its apparent success in tree planting and in curbing illegal logging, the FA says it will ramp up conservation activities, including introducing biodigesters to reduce household coal and wood consumption. Full text Back to TOC 3. Cambodia: Land Sub-decree on Agenda Source: The Phnom Penh Post, 24 April 2009 The Royal Government of Cambodia could soon pass a sub-decree enabling the indigenous land rights protections contained in the 2001 Land Law to become a reality, but local rights advocates say the proposed draft will likely offer little in the way of  protection. The 2001 Land Law grants protection to indigenous communities, stating that "no authority outside the community may acquire any rights to [their] immovable properties." But no sub-decree enabling registration of indigenous land has yet been passed, making such communities particularly vulnerable to exploitation and land grabs. Full text Back to TOC 4. Indonesia: Underground Mining in Forests to Be Allowed Source: Reuters, 21 April 2009 Indonesia plans to issue a presidential decree to allow miners to carry out underground mining in protected forest areas, a government official said on Tuesday. The decree, which is expected to benefit dozens of mining firms, clarifies Indonesia's 1999 forestry law issued that prohibited open-pit mining in protected forest areas but did not specify whether underground mining was permitted or not. Though the Government said the new decree would help attract mining investment, while protecting the environment, green groups were unimpressed. Full text Back to TOC 5. Indonesia: Sustainable Logging to Solve Deforestation Source: The Jakarta Globe, 21 April 2009 For the past decade, the Nature Preservation Foundation has worked to find alternative sources of livelihood for local people in Southeast Sulawesi, many of whom turned to illegal logging to feed their families due to high rates of unemployment. The Foundation also established both a local radio and TV station to spread awareness on environmental issues. It has also established a network of nongovernmental organizations called the Network for Forest Preservation, or Jauh, which helps ex-illegal loggers to establish and manage their own eco-friendly timber businesses under Koperasi Hutan Jaya Lestari (Victorious Sustainable Forest Cooperative). Foresters are required to plant 10 seedlings for every tree they cut down, enabling them to compete in the highly competitive international market for certified environmentally friendly timber and earn up to 10 times more income than under previous logging regimes. Full text Back to TOC 6. International: Deforestation ‘Lynchpin’ in Global Climate Talks Source: EurActiv, 20 April 2009 With international climate negotiations tending to focus on tackling industrial emissions blamed for global warming, NGOs have warned that deforestation could be overlooked. While "positive discussions" have been held, there remains a diversity of national positions on how deforestation-related emission reduction schemes for developing countries can be financed. Australia and the United States are among the most vocal advocates of forest carbon-trading schemes, while the EU and green NGOs have favored public funding mechanisms. Full text Back to TOC 7. International: Plants Buy Earth More Time as CO2 Makes Them Grow Source: The Sunday Times (UK), 5 April 2009 Scientists have found trees and plants are growing bigger and faster in response to the billions of tons of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by humans. It means they are soaking up at least some of the CO2 that would otherwise be accelerating the rate of climate change. It also suggests the potential for higher crop yields. Some researchers believe the phenomenon is strong enough to buy humanity some extra years in which to try to reverse the growth of greenhouse gas emissions. However, few dispute that this will provide anything more than a temporary reprieve. Full text Back to TOC 8. International: REDD and the Rights of Indigenous People—Ensuring Equity and Participation in World Bank Funds Source: Bretton Woods Project, 17 April 2009 In this article, Mrinalini Rai of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change argues that REDD raises questions about how to ensure fair compensation to those developing countries that commit to reducing deforestation and forest degradation. Full text Back to TOC 9. Malaysia: A Tribal Struggle in Borneo Source: The Guardian Weekly (UK), 16 April 2009 This article documents the struggles of ethnic Penan groups in Borneo whose forest lands are threatened by logging and oil palm cultivation. It is told from the perspective of Mariam Ross, a representative of Survival International, who spoke of her recent visits to Penan villages. She hopes that by bringing stories of the everyday struggles these communities face to wider audiences worldwide, public opinion might pressure governments and corporations to treat local people more fairly. Full text Back to TOC 10. Pakistan: Rs13 Billion Allocated to Provinces for Forestry Source: The News, 15 April 2009 Pakistan's Ministry of Environment has announced plans for a series of large-scale forestry projects aimed at tackling deforestation and improving the country’s forest management. The Ministry hopes to improve the country’s forest cover from 5% to 6% by 2015 in order to achieve targets fixed under the UN Millennium Development Goals. The Government has set aside 13 billion rupees for forest sector projects planned for 2009, which includes a massive tree planting drive that aims to set a new Guinness World record for the number of trees planted in a single day. Full text Back to TOC
	UPDATES FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
	1. Conference Calls for Greater Role of Indigenous Peoples in Climate Solutions Sources: Indigenous Peoples Global Summit on Climate Change & various agencies, April 2009 The Indigenous Peoples Global Summit on Climate Change, held April 20–24 in Anchorage Alaska, enabled Indigenous Peoples from around the world to exchange knowledge and experience on adapting to climate change and to develop key messages and recommendations to be presented at December’s COP-15. An Anchorage Declaration was adopted and a full conference report will be available on the conference website soon. Webcasts of the plenary sessions are also available. Conference website Mongabay coverage IPS coverage—Native Peoples Sound Dire Warning IPS coverage—Burden Lies With Rich Polluters, Native People Say IPS coverage—Indigenous Wisdom Against Climate Change Back to TOC 2. Economic Woes and Global Palm Oil Demand May Damage Moves to Slow Deforestation Sources: Reuters and the Worldwatch Institute, April 2009 Growing economics pain may increasingly force consumers to turn to palm oil–one of the cheapest cooking oils– and could scupper plans to slow deforestation in Southeast Asia . With rising palm oil production in Indonesia and arable land in short-supply in Malaysia, the economics of conservation look less appealing, as projected income under REDD schemes amounts to less than half of what can be currently earned from well-managed palm estates. "REDD has no chance. Malaysian palm oil yields are high and better estate management is key," said an official of a listed Malaysian plantation company that has holdings in Indonesia as well as Malaysia. Indonesia has defended forest clearing for palm oil, saying high conservation value forests are being left alone as it prepares to boost oil palm estates some 125% to 18 million hectares (45 million acres) by opening up more forests. Small palm companies have illegally encroached on forest land in Malaysian Borneo, and it is predicted that this process might now accelerate as the global economy slows. It is unclear how the billions of dollars under REDD could trickle down to poor people who have few economic alternatives than to try and clear a small patch of jungle to feed and house their families. "God has given us ample land and oil palms and we should make use of it," said Munir, an Indonesian worker in a plantation in central Malaysia who wants to use his savings to set up a small estate in his hometown in Kalimantan. "I am suspicious of this (forest saving) scheme. I don't think I will see the money from it. It is more honest to work the land on your own and the government in Indonesia encourages us." This month, the Worldwatch Institute published a three-part series on palm oil development in Indonesia, and its effects on deforestation and local livelihoods. Reuters coverage Worldwatch Institute Coverage—Global Palm Oil Demand Fueling Deforestation Worldwatch Institute Coverage—Oil Palm Industry Takes Land, Promises Livelihoods Worldwatch Institute Coverage—Can ‘Sustainable’ Palm Oil Slow Deforestation? Back to TOC 3. The Role of Forests as Carbon Sinks at Risk Sources: International Union of Forest Research Organizations & Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF), 17 April 2009 A new IUFRO report claims that the critical role of forests as massive ‘sinks’ for absorbing greenhouse gases is “at risk of being lost entirely” due to climate change-induced environmental stresses that threaten to damage and even decimate forests worldwide. Adaptation of Forests and People to Climate Change – A Global Assessment provides the first in-depth global look at the capability of forests to adapt to climate change. The report presents the state of scientific knowledge regarding the current and projected future impacts of climate change on forests and people along with options for adaptation. IUFRO Press Release Full Report & Policy Brief Back to TOC 4. IISD Launch Community-Based Risk Screening Tool Sources: IISD, April 2009 Increasingly, organizations and governments throughout the world are realizing the importance of integrating climate change adaptation into their development interventions. CRiSTAL (Community-based Risk Screening Tool – Adaptation and Livelihoods) is a screening tool designed to help project designers and managers integrate risk reduction and climate change adaptation into community-level projects. CRiSTAL was developed by IISD, IUCN, the Stockholm Environment Institute - United States (SEI-US), and Swiss Intercooperation. Using feedback and recommendations from CRiSTAL users, IISD is making further improvements to the tool, including it now being offered in various formats (Excel and hard copy) and in multiple languages (English, French, and soon Spanish). For more information on CRiSTAL, please vist www.cristaltool.org or contact Anne Hammill (ahammill@iisd.org) or Béatrice Riché (briche@iisd.org). Back to TOC 5. Indonesia Says REDD is Unworkable Sources: Various agencies, April 2009 Indonesia’s forestry minister, M.S. Kaban, said the emerging carbon market system to encourage forest preservation will not work for the country and that a simpler, cheaper, and more practical system is needed. Kaban said that while the REDD initiative is positive overall; the expense and complexity associated with implementation make it unworkable in Indonesia. He supports continued development of the voluntary carbon market to promote avoided deforestation locally. The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) supports the REDD carbon trading system, but acknowledges there needs to be significant legal and administrative reforms in Indonesia for it to work. CIFOR director, Frances Seymour, said the Government would need to develop a more transparent forest management system, as well as better coordination between national and regional governments, their agencies, and local communities. WWF Indonesia said the country would be best advised to take part in an official REDD mechanism if it is agreed at UN climate negotiations. Carbon Positive Coverage Jakarta Globe Coverage—Rainforests Key to Carbon Trading Jakarta Globe Coverage—REDD Wrong For Indonesia, Forest Ministry Says Back to TOC 6. Recent Studies Find Vicious Cycle Between Climate and Wildfires in Southeast Asia Sources: Various agencies, April 2009 A report in the journal Science warns that fire may play a larger role in climate change than conventionally believed. Fire is estimated to account for roughly half of greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and about 20% of emissions from human activities. Higher temperatures in the atmosphere could trigger a feedback effect whereby emissions from forests increase due to reduced rainfall and increased incidence of fire and tree-killing pest outbreaks. Increased emissions would in turn exacerbate these impacts. A recent NASA study found that forest clearance in Southeast Asia during the last decade has made rural areas more vulnerable to fires. Researchers found that seasonal fires from 2000 to 2006 doubled the amount of carbon dioxide released from the Earth to the atmosphere above the region. Fires in regional peatlands and forests also burned longer and emitted ten times more carbon when rainfall declined by one third the normal amount. Since 1997, the region has been hit by two major dry spells and a steady upswing in fires. Mongabay Coverage Science Journal Report NASA Press Release Back to TOC 7. Southeast Asia Faces Soaring Economic Costs if Climate Action is Delayed Sources: Asian Development Bank and various agencies, April 2009 Southeast Asia is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world to climate change and faces a poorer future unless climate change is controlled, says a new Asian Development Bank (ADB) study.The Economics of Climate Change in Southeast Asia: A Regional Review examines current and potential climate change challenges facing Southeast Asian nations, and finds that the benefits to the region of taking early action against climate change far outweigh the costs. If action is not taken, the study predicts that Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam could experience combined damages equivalent to more than 6% of their countries' GDP every year by the end of this century, dwarfing the costs of the current financial crisis. It argues that Southeast Asian nations should address the dual threats of climate change and the global financial crisis by introducing green stimulus programs. It also notes that the forestry sector is the largest contributor to Southeast Asia’s greenhouse gas emissions, and has the greatest potential to reduce the region’s emissions through reduced deforestation, the planting of new forests and improved forest management. Southeast Asia also has the highest technical potential to sequester carbon in the agriculture sector of any region of the world. ADB Press Release Full Text of Study Wall Street Journal Coverage Reuters Coverage Back to TOC 8. United Nations Forum on Forests Convenes 8^th Session in New York Sources: UNFF & IISD Reporting Services, April–May 2009 The UN Forum on Forests (UNFF) convened its eighth session from 20 April to 1 May 2009 in New York. The main theme for the session was “forests in a changing world,” and topics included forests and climate change, reversing the loss of forest cover and degradation, and forests and biodiversity conservation. The Secretariat has posted online documents for the event, and IISD Reporting Services has extensive daily coverage of the sessions. Nepal’s Minister of Forests and Soil Conservation, The Honorable Mr. Kiran Gurung, also addressed UNFF delegates in the opening plenary. A text of his statement, which highlights Nepal’s successes with community forestry, is available online. UNFF Website IISD Coverage UN Coverage—UNFF Considers Input by Civil Society Nepal Minister’s Remarks Back to TOC
	PUBLICATIONS
	1. Asia-Pacific Forestry Week: Forestry in a Changing World Publisher: FAO, April 2009 The first-ever Asia-Pacific Forestry Week, held in Hanoi in April last year, was a landmark event bringing together a diverse cross-section of voices and stakeholders from the Asia-Pacific forestry sector. Comprising a large number of events housed under the same roof, the week succeeded in fostering synergies, enthusiasm and an overall spirit of cooperation. The event was designed in response to the need for greater coherence among various forestry-related issues and actions, and serve as a shared forum through which some of the most pressing challenges might be addressed. The Week saw a virtual kaleidoscope of diverse issues woven together by a common theme; the interactions between forests and people of the region. This resulting publication is a testimony to the varied voices, perspectives, and insights that emerged over the week. Download the publication. Back to TOC 2. Exploiting Natural Resources: Growth, Instability, and Conflict in the Middle East and Asia Editors: Richard Cronin and Amit Pandya Publisher: Henry L. Stimson Center, 2009 This book presents views on the unsustainable exploitation of three key natural resources - forests, water, and extractable minerals - from the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia. In its chapters, regional experts and analysts discuss the current patterns of resource exploitation such as forest clearing, hydropower dams, and mining operations and their implications for domestic and regional stability, and human security. Download the publication. Back to TOC 3. Forests for the Future: Indigenous Forest Management in a Changing World Publisher: AMAN & Down To Earth, April 2009 Members of indigenous communities across Indonesia, who wrote this book, argue that traditional forest management practices can provide important lessons in the effort to slow climate change. They present lessons learned in community-based forest management, and warn of the potential risks current forest-carbon finance schemes present to indigenous communities. Download the publication. Back to TOC 4. ‘Land Grabbing’ by Foreign Investors in Developing Countries: Risks and Opportunities Authors: Joachim von Braun & Ruth Meinzen-Dick Publisher: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), March 2009 One of the lingering effects of the 2007–2008 food price crisis is the proliferating acquisition of farmland in developing countries by other countries seeking to ensure their food supplies. These land acquisitions have the potential to inject much-needed investment into agriculture and rural areas in poor developing countries, but they also raise concerns about the impacts on poor local people, who risk losing access to, and control over, the land on which they depend. This brief discusses how to ensure that land deals, and the environment within which they take place, are designed in ways that will reduce the threats and facilitate the opportunities for all parties involved. Download the publication. Back to TOC 5. Natural Resource Wealth, Conflict, and Peace-Building Author: I. Samset Publisher: Chr. Michelsen Institute (Norway), 2009 This synthesis paper explores the connections between natural resource wealth and violent conflict, and raises questions about what these linkages mean for policies to build peace in resource-rich areas. It suggests that dependence on resource exports is more closely tied to conflict than resource abundance, that resource wealth is more important in explaining why civil wars endure than why they break out, and that resources that are easy to extract and sell are more closely linked to civil war duration than other resources. The author ends with a number of policy recommendations relating to conflict financing, war economies, fiscal transparency, conflict-sensitive business, and revenue sharing. Download the publication. Back to TOC 6. Putting a Livelihood Perspective Into Practice: Systemic Approach to Rural Development Authors: Annet Witteveen & Laurent Ruedin Publisher: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, March 2008 This manual describes how a sustainable livelihood approach can be put into practice. It combines diverse methods of poverty analysis and project design to look at people and their livelihoods in a broad perspective. It also integrates other participatory tools – gender analysis, power relations analysis, stakeholder analysis, and service-access analysis – to assist practitioners in gaining a better understanding of livelihood patterns and relations between stakeholders in rural settings. Download the manual. Back to TOC 7. Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD): An Options Assessment Report Authors: Arild Angelsen, Sandra Brown, Cyril Loisel, Leo Peskett, Charlotte Streck, & Daniel Zarin Publisher: Meridian Institute for the Government of Norway, 2009 This report suggests a flexible three-phase approach to policy measures and positive incentives in order to accommodate (i) the diverse capabilities and circumstances of REDD countries; (ii) an expanded scope of REDD to include conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks; and (iii) the near-term constraints of the current global financial crisis. The report was prepared by the Meridian Institute for the Government of Norway. Download the publication. Back to TOC 8. The Future of Forests in Asia and the Pacific: Outlook for 2020 Editor: Robin N. Leslie Publisher: FAO, March 2009 The Future of Forests conference (held Chiang Mai, Thailand, October 2007) was an important initiative toward understanding the views of a wide spectrum of stakeholders on how forestry in Asia and the Pacific will unfold in the future in view of larger societal changes. A comprehensive set of forestry and related topics was addressed, including sessions describing: land-use dynamics and underlying forestry trends, key drivers of change in forestry, shifts in forest policies and institutions, efforts to balance social, environmental and economic functions of forestry, globalization and national outlooks, and civil society and private sector perspectives on forestry. All the topics were drawn together to help describe the potential future for forests in the region and to chart prospective ways forward. Download the publication. Back to TOC
	EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
1. International Conference: The 8^th Meeting of the Asia Forest Partnership and AFP Dialogue: REDD and Combating Illegal Logging Bali, Indonesia, 28–29 May 2009 Registration deadline: 8 May 2009 The Asia Forest Partnership (AFP) Dialogue 2009 will examine links between mechanisms to compensate countries for reducing deforestation and forest degradation, and efforts to combat illegal logging and the associated timber trade. The two-day event will provide an opportunity for the many stakeholders in tropical forests to share information, to establish partnerships, and to propose recommendations to policymakers. The outcomes will be shared with international processes related to REDD, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the UN Forum on Forests. For more information on the event and to register, click here or e-mail AFP@cgiar.org. Back to TOC 2. International Conference: Biofuels—The Impact of Oil Palm on Forests and Climate Singapore, 12–13 May 2009 The conference will enable participants from government, the private sector, academia, and non-profits to examine the suitability of oil palm for biofuel production, and discuss what additional steps can be taken to minimize the environmental impact of the biofuel industry in the region. The event is being organized by the Environmental Leadership and Training Initiative, a joint program of the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, and the National University of Singapore’s Department of Biological Sciences. For more information, click here. Back to TOC 3. International Conference on Forest Tenure, Governance, and Enterprise: New Opportunities for Livelihoods and Wealth in Central and West Africa Yaoundé, Cameroon, 25–29 May 2009 The purpose of the conference is to catalyze new and broader actions by government and civil society to secure tenure rights in Central and West Africa. This will involve setting goals and developing agendas for new interventions and reform. The event is organized and co-sponsored by the Ministry of Forests and Wildlife of the Government of Cameroon, the International Tropical Timber Organization, IUCN Cameroon, and the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI). For more information, click here. Back to TOC 4. International Consultation: PEFC International Standards Revision Geneva, Switzerland, 27 May 2009 PEFC International is organizing a stakeholder dialogue on its Standards Revision to gather expectations, input, and comments from all interested parties for the revision of main documents dealing with PEFC's global criteria for sustainable forest management and its standard setting procedures at the national level. For the draft agenda, click here. For more information and to register, click here. Back to TOC 5. Training Event: Managing Natural Resource Conflict: Concepts and Practice RECOFTC, Bangkok, Thailand, 15–25 September 2009 Registration deadline: 15 August 2009 This training course will provide participants with an understanding of the basic principles, skills, and techniques used in analyzing and mediating conflict. Participants will increase their knowledge and skills in analyzing conflict, assessing management options and developing strategies to manage conflict, learn a variety of conflict management techniques in order to negotiate and build agreements, and learn how to plan for and support collaborative conflict management approaches. Participants will also learn to take a proactive role in anticipating and addressing conflict in its early phases. For more information and to register, click here. Back to TOC 6. Training Event: Landscape Functions and People—Applying Strategic Planning Approaches for Good Natural Resource Governance RECOFTC, Bangkok, Thailand, 26 October to 6 November 2009 Registration deadline: 26 September 2009 Scholarship deadline: 1 June 2009 This course offers participants an opportunity to learn current practices for landscape-level planning approaches and to develop practical skills and experience in the use of tools applicable for landscape-level planning, monitoring, and implementation. The course is a joint collaboration between Wageningen International and RECOFTC. A limited number of fellowships are available from the Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP) for applicants from South and Southeast Asia. Applications for NFP fellowships should be submitted to Wageningen International before 1 June 2009. To find out more: www.courses.wur.nl (under ‘Fellowships’). For more information on the training course and to register, click here. Back to TOC 7. Call for Abstracts: Community Forestry International Workshop Pokhara, Nepal, 15–18 September 2009 Abstract submission deadline: 15 July 2009 Hosted by Nepal’s Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, the workshop theme is Thinking Globally – Acting Locally: Community Forestry in the International Arena. The theme emphasizes the need for urgency in the worldwide response to community rights, poverty alleviation, and climate change, and for action on the part of all stakeholders at the global, national, regional, and local levels. Some 150 participants are expected to attend the workshop, which will be held in Pokhara 15–18 September. Visit the workshop website to find out information on abstract submission and participant registration. Back to TOC 8. 2^nd Call for Papers: Decentralization, Power and Tenure Rights of Forest-Dependent People Sadguru Foundation, Gujarat, India 27–28 October 2009 Submission deadline: 10 August 2009 The aim of the symposium is to share recent research experiences of participants and to review state-of-the-art approaches related to three distinct themes: (i) decentralization policies and local forest institutions; (ii) power and political position of forest-dependent indigenous peoples, pastoralists and tribals; and (iii) legislative recognition of forest tenure rights. Click here for more symposium details. For scientific information and abstract submissions, contact Purabi Bose (purabi.bose@wur.nl). Back to TOC 9. Call for Responses: REDD Governance and Local Participation On the Frontlines of Climate Change Forum, a UNESCO-supported online initiative, is seeking reader responses to two questions: (i) Does REDD provide an effective response to diverse sources of deforestation and forest degradation? and (ii) Can REDD live up to the expectations that it has generated amongst indigenous groups worldwide? Send your views to peoples@climatefrontlines.org. Back to TOC
JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES
1. Professor of Tropical Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University Location: Darwin, Australia Closing Date: 6 May 2009 Charles Darwin University is seeking a Professor of Tropical Livelihoods for its School for Environmental Research. S/he would demonstrate high-level and high-impact research, preferably with international and/or tropical Australian experience; have a capacity to work across disciplines in a collaborative manner; be an expert in several aspects of livelihood research; and possess an understanding and aptitude for working in cross-cultural settings. View the full job announcement. Back to TOC 2. Chief Technical Advisor, RECOFTC Cambodia Project Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia Closing Date: 15 May 2009 RECOFTC is seeking a Chief Technical Advisor to manage of one of RECOFTC’s flagship projects: the Capacity Building for Sustainable Forest and Land Management Project (CBSFLMP). Based in Cambodia, this project has three main objectives: Piloting of community forestry (CF) legalization across five Forestry Administration Cantonments in accordance with the Community Forestry prakas (guidelines); Capacity building of Forestry Administration staff, CF Management Committees, NGOs, and local government representatives for CF; and Piloting participatory forest and land monitoring in 13 communes in Kratie province. Essential qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resource management, agriculture, or a related field; at least 10 years of field experience in community projects or a related field; and fluency in English. View the full job announcement. Back to TOC 3. Assistant Program Officer—Program Coordination, RECOFTC Location: Bangkok, Thailand Closing Date: 15 May 2009 As a member of the Program Coordination, Monitoring, and Evaluation team, the APO will help facilitate and support RECOFTC’s in-country work and overall monitoring and evaluation. S/he will be assigned specific responsibilities to support in-country projects. View the full job announcement. Back to TOC 4. Assistant Program Officer— Capacity Building, RECOFTC Location: Bangkok, Thailand Closing Date: 15 May 2009 The APO will be responsible for Capacity-Building Service’s event management, marketing, and information management. This includes organizing various workshops and training events, and maintaining databases, including key partner contacts. View the full job announcement. Back to TOC 5. Assistant Program Officer—Fundraising, RECOFTC Location: Bangkok, Thailand Closing Date: 15 May 2009 As a member of the Communications, Marketing and Fundraising team, the APO is responsible for facilitating RECOFTC’s activities in the area of fundraising, including building the necessary processes and systems, and playing a key role in building a fundraising culture throughout the organization. View the full job announcement. Back to TOC 6. Assistant Program Officer—Communications, RECOFTC Location: Bangkok, Thailand Closing Date: 15 May 2009 As a member of the Communications, Marketing and Fundraising (COMAF) team, the APO will help facilitate and support RECOFTC’s overall communication activities in the areas of public awareness, media, publications, marketing and fundraising, and web presence. View the full job announcement. Back to TOC 7. Advanced Study Internship, Agroforestry Net Location: Hawaii, USA Closing Date: Rolling Admissions Agroforestry Net seeks qualified applicants for three-month Advanced Study Internships at Permanent Agricultural Resources, on the island of Hawaii. Interns will be heavily involved in maintaining and developing a 2.25 hectare research and demonstration farm, which includes an alley-cropping research site, diverse agroforestry plantings, a tree seed orchard, and timber bamboo. Candidates would ideally have career interests in forestry or sustainable development-related fields; a track record in community service; field skills in farming, construction, and/or field research activities; and fluency in written and spoken English. For more information and to apply for the program, visit the Internships webpage on the Agroforestry Net website. Back to TOC
NETWORK OF THE MONTH
SDplanNet—Asia&Pacific SDplanNet—Asia&Pacific is a network of professionals involved in development planning in the Asia-Pacific region. It was established to help professional planners share innovative tools and approaches for integrating sustainable development into plans, strategies, and budgeting processes at national, sub-national and local levels. For more information, including how to join SDplanNet—Asia&Pacific, click here. Back to TOC
RECOFTC ANNOUNCEMENTS
RECOFTC Rocks With the Hard Rock Café RECOFTC was delighted to help the Hard Rock Café Thailand celebrate its 18th Birthday in Bangkok last week. In honor of the event coinciding with Earth Day on 22 April, patrons contributed to the Hard Rock Café’s ‘Save the Planet’ campaign donating to Thailand’s community foresters. During the past year, funds have also been raised through the kid’s menu and ‘Save the Planet’ donation box at the café entrance. Dr Yam Malla, RECOFTC Executive Director, was presented a cheque for THB26,350 and thanked ‘Rockers’ for their interest and generosity. As Dr Malla explained, the money will help support young people in several of Thailand’s community forests. We look forward to sharing with you more about their activities in the coming months. RECOFTC would like to thank the Hard Rock Café team for their warm hospitality and continued support. The evening was celebrated in style with a live performance from one of Thailand’s leading alternative rock bands, ‘Moderndog.’ Read the press release. Back to TOC
ABOUT RECOFTC
RECOFTC holds a unique and important place in the world of forestry. It is the only international not-for-profit organization that specializes in capacity building for community forestry and devolved forest management. RECOFTC engages in strategic networks and effective partnerships with governments, nongovernment organizations, civil society, the private sector, local people, and research and educational institutes throughout the Asia–Pacific region and beyond. With over 20 years of international experience and a dynamic approach to capacity building—involving research and analysis, demonstration sites, and training products—RECOFTC delivers innovative solutions for forests and people. To learn about RECOFTC staff, view the RECOFTC Staff Directory. To learn more about community forestry, visit the RECOFTC website. P.O. Box 1111, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10903, Thailand Tel: 66-2-9405700; Fax: 66-2-5614880 E-mail: info@recoftc.org Web-site: http://www.recoftc.org/
ABOUT CF E-NEWS
The Community Forestry E-News is an e-mail released at the end of each month to update readers on community forestry related activities and issues throughout Asia and the Pacific. To provide you with the latest news, we welcome any information from different sources on people's participation in forest management. Please send your information, comments and suggestions to julian@recoftc.org by the 20th of the month. We encourage you to forward this message to others who might be interested. If you would like to subscribe to or unsubscribe from the list, please send a message to info@recoftc.org or subscribe online. To find back issues of the E-News, please go to RECOFTC's E-News webpage. The views expressed in articles published by the Community Forestry E-News do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of RECOFTC. Information from CF E-News may not be sold. Please respect copyright and acknowledge authorship and institutions when referencing or redistributing any information from this newsletter.
For more information contact: Julian Atkinson Editor Program Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation E-mail: julian@recoftc.org			With editing support by: Duncan McLeod Communications, Marketing and Fundraising E-mail: duncan@recoftc.org