Harnessing the full potential of Forest Education Globally

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF), International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) will be hosting a side event at the World Forestry Congress to discuss the key finding of the global forest education project and showcase the new digital innovations in forest education, followed by a panel discussion of key stakeholders in tertiary forest education globally.

The recent global study on forest education identified gaps in tertiary-level forest education and has recommendations that this session will address. While recognizing the diversity of forest education across regions, the global study identified a need to include more social issues and traditional knowledge in forestry curricula, further improve generic competencies, increase practical experience, and improve gender and minority equity.

Marie Noel Ngoddo, program officer on training and learning initiatives at RECOFTC, will join a panel discussion to share how traditional and indigenous knowledge should be connected with tertiary education.

Welcome

• Gerardo Segura Warnholtz, Senior Rural Development and Natural Resources Management Specialist at the World Bank

Speakers

• Mika Rekola,Lecturer at the Department of Forest Sciences in the University of Helsinki
• Daniel Boehnke, Project Manager at the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO)

Moderator

• Daniel Boehnke, Project Manager at the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO)

Panel

• Bernard Combes, Programme Specialist on Education for Sustainable Development at United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• Sandra Rodriguez, Assistant Professor at the Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua
• Annie Biju, Coordinator at the International Forestry Students'​ Association (IFSA) Coordinator 
• Marie Noel Ngoddo, Program Officer for Training and Learning Initiatives at RECOFTC
• Glenn Galloway, Director and Master Lecturer for the Master of Sustainable Development Practice Center for Latin American Studies Center for African Studies at the University of Florida

Closing remarks

• Sheam Satkuru, Executive Director at International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO)