|
|
| français - Español |
|
| Model Forest Network > FAQs |
 ID: 22937Added: 2002-11-20 17:10Modified: 2006-04-21 15:02Refreshed: 2007-03-23 08:20 |
|
What is a model forest? A model forest is also a voluntary, partnership-based approach for moving toward SFM. Because forests and people cannot be separated, people are at the heart of the model forest concept. They are the key factor in the search to define sustainability at the local level where model forests are rooted. A model forest partnership fully represents the environmental, social and economic forces at play within the land-base. For more information, please go to our What is a Model Forest? page. Model Forest Network... so those forests are all similar? The issues faced by model forests are diverse and include conservation of threatened or endangered species, organic agriculture and agroforestry, development of an economic base around minor forest products, cross-cultural awareness among indigenous and non-indigenous communities, environmental education in schools and in the workforce, the application of new technologies such as GIS, GPS, biotechnology, and many others. Although each model forest has a unique story to tell, they all share a common goal of sustainable forest management. What makes the model forest concept stand out from other like-minded forest-based development initiatives is the comprehensiveness of its approach, its scale of operation, the level of policy it can affect, and the nature and range of partnerships it unites. In addition, with 40 model forests in existence or under development around the world, the IMFN continues to demonstrate successes in finding innovative, low-cost, long-term solutions to the challenges facing SMF advocates and practitioners. How are these forests selected? In each case, a committee of experts from different disciplines and backgrounds review proposals and identify the most promising attempts to address the local issues in the broader context of implementing sustainable development of forests. The IMFNS, or one of its regional networks where in place, reviews proposals for membership in the International Network. For more information, please go to our Model Forest Development Guide. How did the International Network start? How are model forests run? Model forests provide solid insights into why partnership and a bottom-up approach are essential in the question of decentralized decision-making and sustainability of natural resources. On the one hand, local groups must be central in the definition of socio-economic goals, but they must also work in concert with technical and professional experts who can help them make those goals become reality. What is unique about model forest partnership groups? What links model forests to each other? What influence does the model forest have on management of the land-base?
What is the relationship of model forests and certification of wood products? What does the IMFN Secretariat do? For more information, please go to our About Us section. Does the IMFNS provide financial support to model forests? The IMFNS is not a grant-making institution and does not typically provide direct financial support to model forests. If requested to do so, the IMFNS will work with model forests to seek funds for project activities, however, it does so in a supportive rather than lead role. On occasion, the IMFNS has acted as an executing agent on behalf of a grant-making agency. As the Secretariat does not engage a large permanent staff its capacity to act as a delivery agent is limited. All such arrangements are therefore considered on a case-by-case basis. How much money is needed to establish and operate a model forest? The cost of establishing and operating a model forest is highly variable. It depends on the existing physical, technical, and information infrastructure of a given region (the starting conditions), as well as on the ambitiousness of the model forest project proposal (its objectives and goals). If, for example, the model forest territory has a detailed database on resource and socio-economic conditions that can be made available to the partnership there will be considerable cost and time savings. Some costs will be recurring, such as administration, participation in annual or other IMFN forums or meetings, information management and updating, and long-term projects (for example, monitoring indicators of sustainability over the long-term). Leveraging resources for model forest is important. The benefit of broad-based partnerships is not simply acknowledging and accommodating the rights of others to work through difficult problems. Model forest partnerships have demonstrated very convincingly that these partnerships also bring new resources, such as ideas, facilities, data sets, professional services, access to policymakers and community leaders, and cash—resources that were not previously in place or not directed toward addressing the challenges of SFM. What role (if any) does the model forest play in resolving conflict over resource management? The model forest program began at the height of a spirited and emotional debate over forest resource use and questions of sustainability. Today, there continue to be strong opinions across the management spectrum, and a need to focus these opinions to constructive ends. A positive by-product of the model forest has been its role in creating a respected forum and process to deal with conflict over resource use where no functional forum or process existed before. The model forest has shown itself valuable in providing neutral settings in which traditional antagonists can engage in constructive debate. What is meant by "consensus-based management"? First, consensus-based management does not mean unanimous agreement. It is commonly understood to mean that a decision has been arrived at which all partners find acceptable (some may abstain from a vote for example, while others will agree to support without being enthusiastic, but in both instances the decision would be accepted). It assumes two things: first, that there is complete information available to all partners, and second, that the issue is fully debated before a decision is made. Consensus-based management does not apply to all model forest issues. Day-to-day management of a model forest would not be included, for example, nor would technical committee decisions (unless the model forest partnership decided otherwise). The main forum in which consensus-based management is used is the full partnership meeting. It is at this level that strategic issues are deliberated, that broad financial questions are resolved, and that program activities are identified. It is to these types of questions that consensus is needed as a way of ensuring the continued support of the partnership as the program evolves. What is the model forest relationship to international conventions and agreements? The relevance of what model forests are doing to national and international policy objectives is striking. In fact, the work being done by model forests is directly related to several key conventions and agreements, including:
For more information, please go to our International Policy Relevance section. What are the benefits of participating in the IMFN? Participating in the IMFN offers a chance to gain access to talents and knowledge that will help managers in policy formulation and implementation at a time when many forest agencies are understaffed and under-funded. The Network—even with its inherent risks and its experimental nature—is an exciting and innovative concept that fits with the information age. The reality is that many resource managers are already heavily involved with the core elements that comprise the model forest concepts, for example participatory forestry, ecosystem-based management, and collaborative networks. An extensive new knowledge base is being developed within many countries through people-place experiences that could and should be shared. Indeed, relevant knowledge is no longer the domain of "experts" but includes those who claim knowledge by virtue of a history of connection with place. An open, honest exchange of knowledge in all forms, and an examination of that knowledge by all stakeholders, creates the best potential of learning from one another. 1) In joining the Network, countries, agencies, and individual partners will:
2) Participating countries are offered a chance to:
3) Bilateral and multilateral donor agencies are also potential beneficiaries from the Network because of key elements related to sustainable development within model forests:
How can I contact the IMFN Secretariat? Please go to our Contact Us page. |
|
|||
| guest (Read)(Ottawa) DST | Low Bandwidth |
