LESSONS LEARNT ON SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT IN AFRICA Godwin Kowero The African Forest Research Network (AFORNET) The African Academy of Sciences Nairobi, Kenya.

LESSONS LEARNT ON SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT IN AFRICA A joint initiative of the African Forest Research Network at the African Academy of Sciences, The Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture & Forestry (KSLA), and The FAO Forestry Department Funded by Sida

Context There is considerable experience and information on managing forest resources in Africa. No systematic and unbiased analyses or syntheses done to derive positive and negative lessons to guide the transfer of positive lessons to larger areas, more people and other countries. Effectiveness of African participation in international forestry processes is questionable.

Study objectives 1.To analyse and establish positive and negative lessons from various projects, initiatives and programmes. 2.To analyse and establish economic, ecological, social and other conditions necessary for successes 3.Based on the analyses, to identify most urgent issues and concerns for Africa to give priority; for example in international processes.

Studies carried out 1.An overview of African forests and forestry 2.What shapes forest practice in Africa 3.Participation of Africa in international forestry processes 4.State of forest research 5.State of forest education 6.Forest administration and related institutional arrangements 7.Forest plantations

Studies carried out – cont. 8.Community-based forest management 9.Rain forest management for wood production in West and Central Africa 10. Forest management for non-wood forest products and services 11.Forest-livestock interactions 12.Development of wood-based industries 13.Trade and marketing of non-wood forest products

Studies carried out – cont. 14. Lessons from Swedish forestry in the last 150 years 15. Producer cooperatives as a tool for developing small-scale forestry in Sweden 16. Lessons Asian forestry 17. Lessons from Latin American forestry 18. Forest certification 19.Agroforestry programme in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda (Vi project) 20.Land/tree tenure systems in Ethiopia

Outputs 1.Documented case studies providing lessons from various aspects of forest management. 2. Strategies on how to extend positive lessons on SFM in Africa. 3. A synthesis report extracting key issues and findings from the background papers and discussion 4. Enhanced African participation in the international forest-related processes and initiatives

Outputs cont 5. Short reports on thematic topics 6. Policy briefs on selected issues.

Second phase of the project 2005 to 2007 Objectives: 1. To facilitate the establishment of an “African Forest Forum”. The Forum will provide an independent analysis, advocacy and advisory services to regional and national forest policy makers and to other relevant forest stakeholder institutions inside and outside Africa.

Second phase of the project 2005 to 2007 Objectives cont.: 2. To disseminate and facilitate the uptake of findings and recommendations. These will be disseminated to national, regional and international stake-holders, through: –sub-regional seminars (4), –publications, –policy briefs, –exchange visits, and –training courses.

Second phase of the project 2005 to 2007 Objectives cont.: 3. To assist national and regional stakeholders to develop priority activities. AFORNET will provide technical support to national and regional institutions and other bodies in developing and initiating priority activities that address key recommendations from the first phase

Expected outputs 1. An independent and objective African Forest Forum (or network) with a membership of at least 200 senior African forest actors. 2. An improved capacity for Africa to participate effectively in international and regional forestry processes.

Expected outputs – cont. 3. Increased awareness and understanding among national and regional actors of opportunities and constraints in achieving sustainable management, use, and conservation of African forest and tree resources. 4. About 20 fully developed proposals for projects and/or activities in support of the implementation of recommendations from the first phase of the project.

Thank You