Commonwealth Forestry News |
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No. 10 |
September 2000 |
ISSN 1463-3868 |
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The international newsletter of the Commonwealth Forestry Association
"To promote the well-being of the world's forest and those who depend on them."
CFA. Administrative Office: Oxford Forestry Institute,
South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK. Telephone:[+44]01865 271037
Facsimile: [+44]01865 275074. E.mail:
cfa_oxford@hotmail.com
Editor CFNews:
Philip Wardle, 3 Charles Hill, Elstead, GU8
6LE,Surrey,U.K.
Telephone, Facsimile:-[+44]01252702204.
E-mail: 101656.1772@compuserve.com
XXI IUFRO World Congress, Malaysia, 7-12 August 2000
The World Congress of the International Union of Forestry Research Organisations, held in Kuala Lumpur, was opened by YB Dato' Seri Dr. Lim Keng Yaik, the Minister of Primary Industries presenting the opening address on behalf of the Prime Minister of Malaysia. The Congress, which brought together 2300 forest researchers from 93 countries, was presided over by Professor Jeffery Burley, of Oxford University, UK, in his fifth and final year as president of IUFRO. Dato' Dr Abdul Razak Mohd. Ali, Chairman of the Steering Committee and DG of FRIM and Dr Abdul Rahim Nik, Chairman of the Organising Committee, made welcoming speeches in the inauguration ceremony. Jeff Burley, IUFRO, FRIM and Malaysia are to be congratulated on the superb venue and organisation of the Congress and the many interesting presentations of very high standard. Warm thanks to Malaysia for delightful hospitality.
The Commonwealth featured in IUFRO's awards. Its highest award, Honorary Membership was conferred on Dr Salleh Mohd Nor of Malaysia, past President of IUFRO. One of six Doctoral Research Awards went to Dr Rahim Sudin of Malaysia and of the eleven Scientific Achievement Awards seven went to Commonwealth scientists namely: Dr K.M Baht, India; Dr Bruce Dancik, Canada; Dr Su See Lee, Malaysia; Prof Colin Price, UK; Dr Robert Alexander Vertessy, Australia and Dr Michael J. Wingfield, South Africa.
CFA Presentation of Queen's Award and Regional Awards
On Friday 11 August at a special meeting of CFA at the Congress, H.E. Mr G.H. Fry, British High Commissioner in Malaysia, presented the Queen's Award for Forestry 2000 to Dr V.K. Bahuguna of the Indian Forest Service, in relation to his distinguished contribution to the development of Joint Forest Management in India. Mr Fry also presented the CFA Asia Pacific Regional Award for Excellence in Forestry to Y.Bhg. Dato' Dr Freezailah bin Che Yeom of Malaysia, recently retired after serving 10 years as the first Executive Director of ITTO and to Dr David Flinn, educator and researcher, Australia. Peter Wood, Vice President, Chaired the meeting and Y.Bhg. Dato' Zul Mukhshar bin Dato' Md. Shaari, Chairman of CFA Malaysia Branch which hosted the meeting, proposed the vote of thanks.
Photo Captions
1. Coming from IUFRO to CFA in KL: Mafa Chipeta, CIFOR; Jeff Burley, President IUFRO; Bob Newman, Vice President CFA; David Flinn; Peter Wood, Vice President CFA; Mrs Burley; HE. Mr G.H. Fry; Mrs Fry.
2. Award winners come together: Jerry Vanclay (QA1997); Bob Newman, Peter Wood, Vice Presidents CFA; David Flinn(RA2000); V.K. Bahuguna (QA2000); Mrs Bahuguna; H.E. Mr G.H. Fry; Dato' Dr Freezailah bin Che Yeom (RA2000); Thang Hooi Chiew (QA1996).
3. Dr V.K. Bahaguna receives Queen's Award from H.E. Mr G.H. Fry
4. CFA Malaysia Branch Reception
Editorial
This short edition of CFNews is devoted mainly to the Association with a brief update on international issues around the world. It is to the Association and the pursuit of its mission that this editorial is directed. The Commonwealth Forestry Association's mission is to promote good management, use and conservation of forests and forest land throughout the world. The main way it has to do this is to mobilise its initiatives through its members. The chairman, Jag Maini, in his report to the Annual General Meeting stressed the considerable amount of unrealised potential of the CFA, to advance sustainable forestry in Commonwealth countries and in the world. The mechanics suggested in our mission statement include collaboration with national and international organisations, exchange of information and the exchange of people and skills. The Association is a collection of volunteers to pursue its mission, those volunteers are we - the members.
At the AGM this year two important decisions were made which should help to force the pace towards mobilising we the members to action - bye-laws for national branches were adopted (printed in full below) and ideas designed to facilitate a great increase in membership were moved forward.
Chairmen of the Association since Bob Newman's initiative in the early 1990s, have been tremendously active in encouraging the formation of national branches. The 1996 handbook listed 26 national branches.
What has changed with the new bye-laws is that a formal framework has been set up listing a few requirements which will help the membership in a country to make the national branch effective in pursuing the CFA mission:
- it requires election of a national committee, which has duties as below:
- to provide information and papers for the International Forestry Review and CFNews;
- in consultation with national members to make proposals to the CFA AGM eg. on membership of the Governing Council;
- to hold at least one meeting a year and to send the minutes to the Chairman of CFA;
- to set up a bank account and keep proper account of monies raised and applied to the mission of the Association.
Here then is a grand opportunity to revitalise the branch in your country. There is already new activity. The Indian and the UK branches have both held workshops this year and the papers and reports from those events are on their way to publication by the CFA. The initiative of the Zambia branch to counteract deforestation was reported in a prize winning article by Singy Hanyona and Victor Kawanga in CFNews No3. It is your willingness, dear fellow members, to drive these initiatives in your country and contribute to them, that will make the CFA able to realise its potential.
Membership of the Association should embrace all those in the Commonwealth and beyond who subscribe to the Association's mission and are actively pursuing it. This includes many thousands in the forestry profession and in scientific, educational, environmental and social activities which relate to forests and forestry. So our current membership is a tiny sample, missing the wide public needed and needing to be involved in the CFA's international exchange of information and ideas. The Association is considering ways of encouraging membership through collaboration with national organisations concerned with forestry and with subscription rates relative to the level of the national economy. A trial is being made in such collaboration with the Southern African Institute of Forestry, which has become a corporate member and whose national members are able to become members of the CFA for a subscription equivalent to £10 sterling. An affiliation scheme with small membership su!bscriptions for the members of the affiliated organisations, ensuring that they receive CFNews, is also being considered.
As editor I remind you about the information exchange through this magazine. CFNews invites contributions from all, from foresters, members of university, forestry school, research station, organisation, company, indeed all people concerned about forestry in every country around the world. We publish short articles about any aspect of forestry of interest to colleagues around the world.
CFNews publishes information about your national branch activities and forestry in your country.
PLEASE CONTRIBUTE, ENCOURAGE CONTRIBUTION BY YOUR COLLEAGUES!
CFNews is distributed to all CFA members and subscribers and to as wide a spectrum as we can of forestry departments, research institutes, forestry schools, Commonwealth country High Commissions and Embassies and information outlets. We welcome additional addresses for this distribution in all countries of the world.
from PHILIP WARDLE, Editor CFNews, Member of Governing Council of CFA
Association News
New CFA E mail Address: cfa_oxford@hotmail.com
AGM 2000
As mentioned in the report on the AGM in the June edition of CFNews, Standard Bye-laws for National Branches and Chapters within Countries were agreed. These are as presented below:
ADDITION TO THE BYE-LAWS
NATIONAL BRANCHES OR CHAPTERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION
In furtherance of the principal objects of the Association as described in the Charter, and in particular in support of item (k) of the particular activities for the Association indicated therein and subject otherwise to the provisions of the Charter and these Byelaws, any country [and/or state or province within a federal nation] may set up a national branch or chapter(s) provided that a majority of the members concerned wish to do so.
In summary the following rules are applicable:
1. The branch shall observe the laws of the country in which it is located and shall draw up a constitution and where needed will register with the appropriate authority in the country. Both constitution and registration shall be approved by the Governing Council.
2. The branch shall adopt the mission of the Commonwealth Forestry Association as a whole, but may add to it items of a specific national nature.
3. There shall be a National Committee consisting of a minimum of four members (the officers), a Chair, a Secretary/Treasurer, a Membership Secretary, and an editorial liaison member. There shall be no less than three and not more than ten elected members. The committee members shall be elected for a period of years in accordance with the local conditions. The liaison member shall provide information and papers to the Editor(s) for publication in the International Forestry Review or Commonwealth Forestry News as appropriate. The National Chair may, after due consultation with the members, recommend the name(s) of potential members of Governing Council to the Chair of the Association for consideration for election at the next AGM of the full association.
4. A bank account shall be held in the name of the Commonwealth Forestry Association, [name of nation or state] Branch, with the Branch Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer as signatories. The account shall be used for subscriptions paid and for receipts of donations and other income to the Branch. The Treasurer shall keep proper accounts of the National Branch's finances. Moneys raised by or on behalf of the Branch shall be applied to further the mission of the Association as a whole and may be remitted in whole or in part to the CFA Hon Treasurer annually, as agreed between the Governing Council and the Branch Chairman. A statement of accounts for the previous year shall be presented at the annual general meeting of the Branch and sent to the CFA secretariat annually.
5. There shall be at least one meeting each year, including an Annual General Meeting, for the purpose of electing Officers to the Committee plus any other activity agreed by the members in accordance with the mission. A quorum shall be five or more of the members of the national branch entitled to vote. All voting shall be by a simple majority of those present by show of hands. Minutes shall be kept by the Committee and the Secretary shall enter in them a record of all proceedings and resolutions. A copy of the minutes of the Branch Annual General Meeting shall be sent to the CFA Chairman and to the secretariat not later than 31 January in the year following that in which the Branch's AGM took place.
6. Any recommendation for alteration to the constitution of the National Branch shall be first agreed at a Branch meeting at which at least two thirds of those members present assent, provided that not less than 28 days' notice is given in writing to the members. The recommendation shall then go to the Governing Council for approval at the next full meeting of the Association.
As adopted at the AGM, Oxford, UK on Friday 19th May 2000.
New members 1999-2000
Jag Maini Chairman and all of us in the Association take this opportunity of welcoming the 30 new members of CFA and 19 new subscribers to the IFR
AUSTRALIA: Dr N. Byron,
Consolidation Plus (NLAUS),
BANGLADESH: Mr M.B. Kader, Mr
R.K. Mazumdar, Mr S.M. Rahman, Mr Md. A. Rashid,
BRAZIL:
Mr L.M. Rossi,
CAMEROON: Ms O.R. Mukete, Ms E.E.G. Ntube,
CANADA: Mr T. Bouman,
CHINA: Prof Y. Weng,
DENMARK: Danmarks Veterinaer & Jordbrugsbibliotek,
ECUADOR:
Mr J. Olander,
GERMANY: Bundesforschungsanstalt Fur Forst u
Holzwirtshaft,
GHANA: HE Mr J. Aggrey-Orleans, Dr V.K.
Agyeman, Mr E.G. Foli,
GUYANA: Guyana Forestry Commission,
INDIA: CFLBL - Globe Publication Ltd. Chief Conservator
(Research), Conservator of Forest (Seed & Res.), Madhya Pradesh
Forest Dept. (MPFD), Mr B.V. Prasada Reddy, Mr D. Pratap, The
Silviculturist,
IRELAND: Mr C. McCarthy, The Irish Forestry
Board
ISRAEL: Mr P. Oren
ITALY: Dr M.H.
El-Lakany
JAPAN: Mitsubishi Motor Co Truck & Bus,
Shinrin-Sogo-Kenkyujo Lib.
KENYA: Dr P.K.A. Konuche, Dr
L.A. Wily
KOREA: Choonchoo Book Trading Co.
MALAWI:
Mr J. Macartney
MALAYSIA: Rima Books & Periodicals, Dr
S.W. Yap
NETHERLANDS: AAG/FAC De Agronomia, Mr E.
Constantine
NEW ZEALAND: Mr J. Thomson
PAKISTAN:
Forest Management Centre FMC, Pakistan Book Corporation
SOUTH
AFRICA: Mr H. Vogt
UNITED KINGDOM: Mr H. Albrecht
Wiehler, Mr T. V. Bowen-Scott, Miss N. Branston, Miss J. Bryden, Dr G.C.
Clarke, Mr F. Del Gatto, Miss S. Enoh, Mr W. Garrett, Mr C.D. Grieve, Dr
G. Jordan, LTS International, Mr M. Scott, Dr E. Simmons, Mr A. Smith,
Mr R. Smith, Mr E. Tachie-Obeng, Mr R. Truslove, Ms R. Urlin, Mr J.
Veloso de Freitas, Mr B. Voysey, Mr W. Waliszewski
UNITED
STATES: Ms P. Bird, Mr D. Bray, Yale University,
UGANDA:
Mr N.S. Amoot, Mr J.T. Hoeue
Around The World
Deciding on the UN Forest Forum
Informal consultations concerning the new intergovernmental arrangement on forests have been held in New York, facilitated by Ambassador Bagher Asadi (Islamic Republic of Iran) with fifty delegates attending regularly.
They have contributed notably to a higher level of understanding among Governments and to the elimination of several ambiguities that existed in the language adopted in IFF4 (February 2000).
All delegates have shared the common view to establish the UNFF as soon as possible, in order to start the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action without delay. It was recognised, however, that the placing of the UNFF within the UN system has many implications that require further consideration.
Among the sensitive issues discussed during the consultations was the membership of the UNFF, that is, limited membership versus universal membership. Other challenging matters included the location of the future secretariat as well as issues regarding the financing of the UNFF. During the informal consultations, Governments have continuously expressed the view that they are looking forward to close collaboration with NGOs in the future UNFF.
Due to the outstanding issues ECOSOC (July - August) could not yet take decisions on the establishment of the UNFF. Delegations, therefore, agreed to continue with informal consultations, scheduled for 18-22 September, with a view to clearing up the outstanding issues before the resumed session of the ECOSOC (late September 2000), where the ECOSOC resolution could be adopted.
MEETINGS IN 2000 RELEVANT TO THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL DIALOGUE ON FORESTS:
7-12 August 2000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. XXI IUFRO World Congress. Forests and Society: The Role of Research.
4-8 September 2000, Bogota, Colombia. Twenty-First Session of the Latin American and Caribbean Forestry Commission (LACFC).
5-8 September 2000, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. International Forest Communicators Forum. An initiative by the FAO-ECE Team of Public Relations Specialists in the Forest and Forest Industries Sector.
25-26 September 2000, Vienna, Austria. Third Expert Level Meeting on the Follow-up of the Lisbon Conference, organised by the Ministerial Conference on Protection of Forests in Europe - Liaison Unit Vienna.
9-13 October 2000, Rome, Italy. European Forestry Commission (EFC) / ECE Timber Committee.
13-24 November 2000, the Hague, Netherlands. Sixth session of the Conference of the Parties of the FCCC.
22-25 January 2001. International Workshop of Experts on Financing Sustainable Forest Management (Oslo Workshop). A Government-led initiative in support of the IPF/IFF/UNFF Processes.
from TIINA VAHANEN, IFF UN New York
CIFOR Seeks New Director
The Center for International Forestry Research, which is a corporate member of CFA, is seeking a new Director General. CIFOR is seeking a dynamic visionary leader who is committed to improving the scientific basis for the management of tropical forests and woodlands primarily for the benefit of the peoples of developing countries. Our international public goods research recognizes the fundamental link between human well being and the health of forests. CIFOR works with a global network of partners.
CIFOR is one of 16 research centers supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research and receives funding from 29 government and development assistance agencies. We employ 140 staff of 22 nationalities at our headquarters in Bogor, Indonesia and in regional offices located in Brazil, Costa Rica, Cameroon and Zimbabwe. CIFOR values scientific excellence, commitment, diversity, collegiality, and informality.
The new Director General will have:
- international scientific standing.
- recognition within the global forestry research community and the various international processes related to forests.
- experience in managing multidisciplinary policy relevant research in developing countries, including complex international partnerships.
- excellent skills in resource mobilization, management, and communication with scientific and policy communities.
The position is for a renewable five-year term with a negotiable starting date in 2001. An internationally competitive compensation package is provided. Nominations, or expressions of interest, including the names of three referees and a curriculum vita, should be sent to the manager of the search process: Professor Bo Bengtsson, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Plant Breeding Research, Nybyvaegen 1304, SE-243 93, Hoor, Sweden. Fax: 46 413 254 76, Tel: 46 413 261 39, Email: bengtsson.bo.m.i@telia.com
All applications will be acknowledged. The Board of Trustees will begin considering applications on September 1, 2000 and will continue until the post is filled. To learn more about CIFOR, the position and living in Indonesia, visit our Web site at: http://www.cgiar.org/cifor/
from CIFOR
FAO reports slow down in deforestation
The destruction of the world's forests is continuing but there are strong indications that the rate of deforestation is slowing down. Preliminary analysis of more than 300 satellite images shows that the rate of deforestation in the tropical countries was at least 10 percent less in the past ten years compared to the 80s. Half of the images show a reduced rate of deforestation and 20 percent an increase. The survey is part of FAO's Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000, which will be delivered by the end of the year. It will provide new estimates on the state and change of forests in all countries.
"These preliminary results do not mean that the battle against deforestation is over, and a reduction in deforestation must not be used as an excuse for unsustainable forest practices," said Hosny El-Lakany, Assistant Director-General of the FAO Forestry Department, speaking at the XXI World Congress of the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. "It does show, however, that the long-term efforts of FAO and others to build awareness of and capacity for sustainable forest management are worthwhile and should be reinforced."
from JIM BALL, FAO
New Research Centre, Green College, Oxford
From September Alan Pottinger takes up duties in CFA as the Editor of the International Forestry Review. This is a short note about the institute where he works.
In February 2000 the Centre for Natural Resources and Development was launched at Green College. The Centre will draw together various research strengths within the University, from tropical forestry to social and medical sciences, and will foster national and international collaboration. The Centre is currently conducting programmes of research and education in the fields of biodiversity, forest resources conservation and improvement and forest policy. Senior Research Associates at the Centre are managing a range of projects from the production of new biodiversity field guides for tropical countries (Dr Anna Lawrence), to the evaluation of the role and efficiency of research networks in forestry, fisheries and agriculture (Alan Pottinger).
Although much of the Centre's work is currently forest oriented, researchers from other disciplines will be joining in the near future; there are plans for collaborative research projects involving the Global Initiative for Traditional Systems of Health, which aims to investigate the possibilities offered to modern medicine by traditional plant-based resources. http://www.green.ox.ac.uk/cnrd/index.htm
from ALAN POTTINGER, CNRD
STOP PRESS
CFA-Zambia holds AGM
The Commonwealth Forestry Association -Zambia Branch held its annual general meeting under the theme "Getting to know the CFA and its influence". The two days Annual Meeting held from 18-19th August, 2000 at the Copperbelt University, attracted participants drawn from various expertise and professions ranging from researchers, foresters, teachers, students, scientists and the media.
In his opening speech to the meeting the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Dr Jewette Masinja, called on all concerned in development of Zambia's forestry sector to support CFA-Zambia. "By supporting those on the ground with expertise and advice, you will be doing justice as CFA represents an unparalleled resource of knowledge and experience which is unique in world forestry, management and utilisation. "In our country, the Zambian branch of the CFA is one such institution which provides opportunities for field meetings, addressing issues of local forestry significance and collaboration with other concerned bodies". The Permanent Secretary said the Zambian government appreciates the fact that CFA-Zambia has been instrumental in development of local community natural resources based projects thus enhancing the sustenance of the country's ecological profile.
In line with the theme, the agenda for the AGM ranged from opening up negotiations on forestry, agriculture and rural development as mandated by the national priority requirements to balancing natural resource usage and development in Zambia with the prime concern of the programme to investigate the ecological dynamics of Zambia.
CFA-Zambia Branch Co-ordinator Victor Kawanga said that if the Association's impact was to be felt by the Zambian community, the entire Southern African region and the world at large, then a sound vision and strategy should be put in place. "A sound vision and strategy for CFA-Zambia is necessary because the challenges of sustainable forestry development require a maximisation of the sustainable contribution of trees and forests to the national economic and social development with emphasis on food security and poverty reduction. As Zambia anxiously waits for the needed expertise, ideas and technologies in improving its forestry and allied fields, there is a strong clarion call for a spirit of expertise, diligence and determination."
In the words of Dr Masinja, "this does not necessarily mean following where the path may lead. It instead means to go where there is a path and leave a trail". Before Zambia looses many important opportunities in management of its vast forestry resource, now standing at 64 per cent of the country's land, stakeholders have been advised not to stay put and wait, but instead to go out into it.
from SINGY HANYONA, Media Liaison Member for CFA-Zambia.
International Forestry Review
3/2 September 2000. Special issue:
AID TO FORESTRY
CONTENTS
Forword
J. EVANS
Introduction
A.J.
GRAYSON
Part 1 Objectives of aid agencies and
implementation in forestry
a. National governments
Australia
J. FRYER
Development
assistance and forestry: a Canadian perspective
R.W. ROBERTS
Finnish
official development assistance in the forestry sector
T.
TUOMASJUKKA
The German perspective on foreign aid in the field of
forestry
U. BICKEL
Forestry and the United Kingdom Department
for International Development.
J. HUDSON
Forestry and the U.S.
Agency for International Development
L. DUVALL
b.
International agencies
The World Bank
O.KNUDSEN
The
field programme of FAO in forestry
J. BALL
Objectives and
implementation approaches of UNDP in support of sustainable forestry
management
M. JOSHI
Part 2 Research studies in aid
programmes
Economic crisis, farming systems and forest
cover change in the humid forest zone of Cameroon W.D. SUNDERLIN, O.
NDOYE and H. BIKIÉ
Trees on farms, stores of wealth and rural
livelihoods - insights and evidence from Karnataka, India
D.S.
RAVINDRAN and T.H. THOMAS
Part 3 Generic issues
Evaluating
the impact of forestry research for development
S. HENDERSON
Corruption
in the forest sector in South Asia: impacts and implications for
development assistance
I. HILL
From the contractor's side:
constraints on effective project implementation
B. VOYSEY
Delivery
of aid to tropical forestry: personal observations and comments
E.F.
BRUENIG
Assistance to forestry: what have we learnt?
R. PERSSON
Forestry
assistance and tropical deforestation: why the public doesn't get what
it pays for
D. KAIMOWITZ
Sector-wide approaches as a framework
for development partnerships
R. OKSANEN
SHOW CFNEWS TO YOUR
COLLEAGUES
CIRCULATE TO MEMBERS OF YOUR ORGANISATION
CFNews
invites contributions
Send them to the
editor E-mail: 101656.1772@compuserve.com
CFA
Facsimile: [+44]01865 275074. E mail: cfa_oxford@hotmail.com
CFA.,
Oxford Forestry Institute, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK.
- from you yourself and from members of your university, forestry school, research station, organisation, company, association. This is a call to all foresters, to people concerned about forestry - around the Commonwealth - in every country and organisation interested in forestry around the world.
A contribution may be about the organisation, a particular initiative, activity or piece of research or a descriptive piece about a forestry subject, of interest to colleagues around the world with information about approaches, studies, problems or exciting features of your forestry. The rule is that contributions should be in the form of a very concise essay of not more than 250 words.
Authors should provide their name and address and position in the institution.
Note the book prize for the best essays selected for publication received from students, young researchers and young professional foresters.
A lively and participative CFA needs you!
CFA Membership
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| £ | £ | |||
| Ordinary member | 45 | Corporate member | 150 | |
| Developing Country member | 10 | Subscriber | 150 | |
| Student member | 10 |
Membership is available to anyone throughout the world with an interest in forestry!
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