|
Hello Young Forestry Professionals! My
name is Celia Nalwadda, the Youth Officer of the CFA since the start
of 2008. CFA, through this office, provides an incredible opportunity
for young foresters (under 35 years) from various parts of the world
to keep pace with latest events in the global forestry sector. You
can benefit from information on the latest technologies, key topical
issues regarding forests, research and funding opportunities,
community engagements, work placements, new policies and the
prestigious CFA awards, just to mention a few. Or you can share with
us what is happening in your country, the challenges you may be facing
and also victories you may have achieved.
In the past year, we had a very successful partnership with the International
Forestry Students Association following the signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding that clearly defines our relationship; crowned off with my
taking part in the International Forestry Students Symposium in Bulgaria in
the summer of 2008. This forum provided an opportunity for Michelle Freeman
(IFSA-CFA Liaison Officer) and me to meet and establish a network we hope to
explore to the mutual benefit of the two associations.
In 2009, am looking forward to continuing this alliance, but also to
especially focusing on the young professionals. My home country (Uganda) is
the proud host of the Young Forester Award 2009, our most prestigious award,
and I am thrilled about this. But there are a number of other incentives I
would love to see young foresters take advantage of this year; like the Book
Prize and the Young Scientist Publication Awards. However, to benefit, you
need to sign up for membership (a quick process with very modest fees I must
say)!
The future of the world’s forests is in our hands, so let us band together to
respond to this serious yet exciting challenge. I will be very happy to have
your ideas and suggestions about how we can best work together and make use of
this CFA support. I also have a slot in the widely subscribed to CFA
Newsletter where updates on issues relevant to young foresters are published.
I will appreciate your contribution to this. You may start by sharing this
information with your colleagues and asking them to also join the CFA. I am
looking forward to hearing from you!
Warm Regards
Celia Nalwadda
- CFA Youth Officer
celia.nalwadda@cfa-international.org
|
Hi there! I’m Julius Adewopo and I feel elated to
serve as the Liaison Officer between CFA and the International Forestry
Students’ Association – IFSA. I had my Bachelors degree in Nigeria where I
pioneered the formation of IFSA at my Alma Mater, and I’m currently studying to
obtain my M.Sc. in Forest Resources at University of Arkansas in United
States. I’ve been involved with IFSA for 7 years and I’ve been a member of CFA
since 2005. IFSA and CFA have contributed immensely to my professional
development. I have had the opportunity to participate in United Nations Forum
on Forests (UNFF-8) as an IFSA delegate, I’ve published articles in CFA’s
quarterly newsletter, and I’ve been privileged to contribute to CFA’s
publication on Commonwealth Forests. These and other involvements have refined
my skills and enhanced my exposure within and beyond the Forestry sector.
IFSA is the global network for students in forest
sciences (and related) disciplines. It unites approximately 3000 students in
about 69 member associations (called Local Committees) in over 40 countries.
Our vision is to foster global cooperation among students of forest sciences
in order to broaden knowledge and understanding, to achieve a sustainable
future for our forests, and to provide a voice for youth in international
forest policy processes. Through scientific debates, forums, exchange
programs, regional meetings and the annual IFSS (International Forestry
Student Symposium), we enrich formal education, promote cultural
understanding, and encourage collaboration with international partner
organizations, thereby enabling forestry students across the world to gain
practical experiences with a wider global perspective.
In pursuit of the impartial involvement of youths
in policy and decision making processes in relation to global forests and
environmental management, IFSA is committed to establishing and nurturing
relationships with professional organizations such as CFA. The IFSA-CFA
partnership, which is based on a signed Memorandum of Understanding, provides
forestry students with matchless opportunities to gain first-hand
industry-based skills, access scholarships and awards, get published,
participate in professional meetings, and access the timely information
disseminated in the CFA newsletter and publications.
My passion as the Liaison Officer is to sustain
the existing opportunities and explore more possible opportunities towards
enabling the attainment of the set objectives for IFSA-CFA collaboration.
Having benefitted from being a member of CFA, it’d be my utmost pleasure to
motivate IFSA members (both current students and Alumni) to explore the
priceless membership benefits and opportunities, by becoming CFA members. Your
comments and suggestions are quite invaluable to IFSA and CFA team, and I’d
personally be glad to answer any of your questions.
At your Service
Julius
cfa.lo@ifsa.net;
Julius.adewopo@gmail.com
www.ifsa.net |
