FSC - Africa
Contribution by FSC International within the program of the FSC GA 2008, the forest conference sessions began Tuesday morning with welcoming remarks from FSC Board of Directors Chairman Roberto Waack and an update to members from FSC Executive Director Andre de Freitas.
Among the sessions, ‘People and Forests in Africa: critical choices over forest resources’ highlighted the significance of FSC on the continent and the importance of holding the 2008 GA in Cape Town, South Africa.
Picture © Jurie Senekal
Moderated by Scott Poyton of Tropical Forest Trust, session speakers included Herve Borguignon (IFIA), Elie Hakizumwami (WWF Central Africa Regional Coordinator), Adrien Sinafasi Makelo (Dignite Pygmee DIPY) and Luke Freeman (University College London, Department of Anthropology).
Collectively, the presentations highlighted that the increasing presence of FSC on the continent of Africa has many benefits including improving social infrastructures, work conditions, and health services. However challenges to forests, to development and to FSC certification in Africa remain. The session brought these challenges to light, and pointed to solutions for improving FSC’s effectiveness in Africa.
Each presentation offered recommendations for solutions to the unique challenges that face FSC certification in Africa. Among these are including local communities in consultation frameworks; overcoming challenges with free and informed consent; building development schemes from baseline socio-economic studies; and capacity building for local communities to generate revenue.
