Dear Readers, March was a month filled with activity for community forestry in the region. Cambodia witnessed the signing of 32 community forestry agreements in Kampong Thom province, trebling the area, membership, and number of formalized community forestry sites in the country. RECOFTC had been directly supporting these community forests through its Capacity Building for Sustainable Forest and Land Management Project. And in Papua New Guinea, 35 villages signed a formal agreement to create the country’s first national conservation area. A paper on the positive and negative aspects of forest conflict in Indonesia was published in the March issue of the International Forestry Review. Coauthored by RECOFTC’s Yurdi Yasmi and John Guernier and CIFOR’s Carol Colfer, the paper can be accessed here. This month’s Commentary debates the opportunities and risks posed to the rural poor by payments for environmental services (PES) schemes. The issues raised in the commentary are the subject of a RECOFTC publication to be released in late April. We appreciate the opportunity to share community forestry-related news and welcome feedback and exchange. Please send your updates and the areas of interest you would like featured via e-mail to julian@recoftc.org. The Editor
	TABLE OF CONTENTS
	COMMENTARY OF THE MONTH The Risks and Opportunities of Payments for Environmental Services NEWS FROM THE PRESS 1. Cambodia: Community Forests Signed Over to Kampong Thom Villagers 2. Cambodia: Conservationists Voice Concern for Eastern Plains 3. Cambodia: Ratanakiri Game Hunting Park Approved 4. India: Local Communities Are as Good as States 5. Indonesia: The Paradox of Empowerment in Community Forestry (Opinion) 6. International: Norway Emerges as Champion of Rainforest Conservation 7. Malaysia: ‘Green’ Dams Hasten Destruction of Borneo Forests 8. Nepal: Climate Change ‘Fans Nepal Fires’ 9. Papua New Guinea: PNG Creates First Nature Reserve 10. The Philippines: Calendar Heightens Awareness on Mangroves 11. Viet Nam: Central Highlands Resource Tappers to Pay Forest Protection Fees UPDATES FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY 1. FAO releases State of the World’s Forests 2009 2. GEF-STAP Convene Workshop on REDD, Forest Conservation, and Sustainable Forest Management 3. Indonesia Applies for FCPF, draws warnings on REDD 4. Satellite Technology a Potent Tool to Monitor Forests 5. UN-REDD approves US$18 Million for Five Countries 6. World Forest Week Convenes in Rome PUBLICATIONS 1. A New Climate for Forests: GEF Action on Sustainable Forest Management 2. Challenges of Forest Governance in Aceh (Second Edition) 3. Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2009 4. Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Reduced Emissions from Reduced Deforestation and Forest Degradation: The Case of the Saramaka People v. Suriname 5. ITTO/IUCN Guidelines for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in Tropical Timber Production Forests 6. Keadilan Iklim Dan Penghidupan Yang Berkelanjutan 7. Positive and Negative Aspects of Forestry Conflict: Lessons From Decentralized Forest Management in Indonesia 8. REDD in Indonesia: options and challenges for fair and efficient payment distribution mechanisms 9. Two IIED briefings on REDD EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES 1. Training Event: Carbon Finance Training by GERES 2. Early Bird Registration: 2^nd World Agroforestry Congress 3. Call for Papers: Third International Faustmann Symposium “Forest Economics in a Dynamic and Changing World” 4. International Conference on Forest Tenure, Governance and Enterprise: New Opportunities for Livelihoods and Wealth in Central and West Africa 5. International Conference: The 8th Meeting of Asia Forest Partnership and AFP Dialogue: REDD and Combating Illegal Logging 6. International Conference: High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change in the Asia and Pacific—A Development Challenge 7. Training Event: Managing Conflict for Natural Resource Management 8. Training Event: Landscape Functions and People—Applying Strategic Planning Approaches for Good Natural Resource Governance 9. Call for Abstracts: Community Forestry International Workshop 10. International Conference: 4th International Casuarina Meeting 11. Call for Responses: REDD Governance and Local Participation JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES 1. Country Representative, IUCN Vietnam 2. Adult Learning Expert, RECOFTC 3. IT Officer, RECOFTC 4. Regional Natural Resources Officer, UN-REDD Secretariat 5. Program Officer—Climate Change and Natural Assets, The Ford Foundation 6. Program Officer—Community Rights and Natural Assets, The Ford Foundation 7. SEARCA Graduate Scholarships 2010–2011 8. Program Coordinator for Asia, RRI 9. Coalition and Communication Manager, RRI NETWORK OF THE MONTH The Forest Connect RECOFTC ANNOUNCEMENTS 1. RECOFTC Signs MoU With Nepal 2. Submissions by RECOFTC and Partners to UNFCCC 3. New Pondering on Poznan Article
	COMMENTARY OF THE MONTH
	The Risks and Opportunities of Payments for Environmental Services Provided by Sango Mahanty, Resource Management in Asia Pacific Program, The Australian National University (sango.mahanty@anu.edu.au). Payments for Environmental Services (PES) involve schemes where payments or rewards are given by those who benefit from environmental services such as clean and sufficient water, biodiversity, stable climate, and aesthetic beauty. The payments go to those who play a central role in providing or maintaining these services. Scholars and policymakers are in the midst of a debate on whether PES creates opportunities or risks for the rural poor—a question that is never far from the surface in discussions on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD). A RECOFTC study has looked at this issue to synthesize recent PES practice and research to contribute to this discussion. Some key messages from the study are presented here and readers are invited to view the full report, which will be posted on the RECOFTC website in late-April. It is tempting, when considering the impacts of market-based instruments like PES, to focus on the financial costs and benefits. Most development practitioners and researchers now accept, however, that we need to widen our lens considerably to understand the different factors that might help or hinder people in their livelihood activities. This has been best captured in the sustainable livelihoods framework, which suggests that livelihoods are not just about securing financial assets, but also other assets such as human (e.g. education and health), social (e.g. institutions to facilitate coordination and cooperation), natural (e.g. access to natural resources) and physical (e.g. infrastructure). Understanding the livelihood impacts of PES on the rural poor therefore requires us to look broadly at how schemes may interact with this wider range of livelihood assets. In applying this framework, it becomes clear that PES schemes can and are impacting rural communities in important ways. Although conclusive answers on the impacts of PES are not possible given the early stage of implementation in many developing countries and the diversity of schemes and communities with which they interact, some critical issues can be synthesized from recent experiences: · The development opportunities that PES brings can elude the rural poor if they have weak or unrecognized rights to resources. Furthermore, this group is least able to meet with the high transaction costs associated with participation unless there are existing institutions for local coordination as well as support from intermediary organizations. · Many schemes are creating additional income for rural households, but the net benefits of this income need to be considered in light of the costs of participating in the scheme, and income lost from agriculture or other resource-use options. The potential financial benefits for the rural poor are limited or non-existent where they are unable to participate or where better-off households are able to garner more of the benefits (as has occurred with community-based resource management initiatives in the past). · Improving the status of natural assets is a central objective of PES; however this may bring restrictions in access to common lands for grazing, resource collection, and shifting agriculture. The welfare impacts of such restrictions may be particularly significant for the landless and others with a high dependence on common property resources. · Where local institutions for coordination and cooperation are strong, these can provide a strong basis for participation in PES and to manage the flow of benefits from PES schemes. This points to opportunities for PES to “piggyback” on existing community-based initiatives where institutional development has been a strong focus. Organizations working in a support role with local community-based initiatives could help to sensitize local actors to the opportunities and risks that PES brings. On this point, conflict management capacities need particular attention as PES can “changes the stakes” that local institutions are used to dealing with. · Infrastructure development, such as water supply or other communal facilities, has been one way in which some PES schemes have delivered community-level benefits. Such opportunities need to be further explored, while recognizing that community-level investments may be more workable where community-level coordinating institutions are strong. Some argue that market efficiencies rather than social objectives should drive the design of PES schemes. The issues paper, however, challenges this view given emerging evidence on how PES can impact on the livelihoods of the rural poor. Blindness to social welfare could not only fuel the very real risk of adverse social outcomes, it could also mean missing the chance to improve the circumstances of, and opportunities for, the rural poor. ***Disclaimer*** This commentary represents the views of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of RECOFTC. Back to TOC
	NEWS FROM THE PRESS
	1. Cambodia: Community Forests Signed Over to Kampong Thom Villagers Source: The Phnom Penh Post, 31 March 2009 Thirty-two Community Forest Agreements were signed in Kampong Thom province in late March, formally handing over the management of 15,000 hectares of forest land to local communities. The signings trebled Cambodia’s formalized community forestry sites, membership, and area. Speeches given during the handover ceremony by Forestry Administration Director General Ty Sokhun, local Community Forest representative Lun Cham, and RECOFTC Executive Director Yam Malla, are available from the links below. Full Phnom Penh Post text Ty Sokhun speech Lun Cham speech Yam Malla speech Back to TOC 2. Cambodia: Conservationists Voice Concern for Eastern Plains Source: The Phnom Penh Post, 13 March 2009 WWF-Cambodia warns that if exploitation of forests in the eastern provinces of Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri is not managed, it could push local communities over the brink. The provinces are home to some of the country’s poorest communities including hill tribe minorities. Such groups have largely remained outside the market economy and depend on their natural surroundings for survival. The areas they live in area among the most vulnerable to anticipated climate change impacts. Development workers say recent land development and land speculation have degraded the area’s environment at an alarming rate. In some instances, development pressures have led some indigenous groups in the region to clear-cut their land and sell it before it is appropriated without compensation. Full text Back to TOC 3. Cambodia: Ratanakiri Game Hunting Park Approved Source: The Phnom Penh Post, 3 March 2009 The Royal Government of Cambodia has approved the establishment of a new protected area in the northeastern province of Ratanakiri. The 100,000 hectare O’Yadav Protected Forest will become Cambodia’s first hunting reserve, where big game trophy hunters can pay to shoot wildlife. The Government plans to use the revenue to protect the area, manage sustainable wildlife levels, provide funds for social development, and generate income for the national budget. A spokesman for local NGO Adhoc expressed optimism for the project, saying the creation of a game park is preferable to economic land concessions that destroy forests with little benefit or compensation given to local villagers. Full text Back to TOC 4. India: Local Communities Are as Good as States Source: Mint, 6 March 2009 A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) claims that in Uttarakhand state, local community forest management is more cost-effective than state management, while no worse (and possibly better in some cases) in achieving conservation objectives. Researchers compared satellite images of forests managed by village forest councils (known as Van Panchayats) to those by the state government in 271 villages and found degradation levels similar. However, state forests also cost at least seven times as much to administer per hectare than those managed by community councils. Some experts, though, question whether the findings from this study can be extrapolated to other regions of the country. Full text PNAS journal article Back to TOC 5. Indonesia: The Paradox of Empowerment in Community Forestry (Opinion) Source: The Jakarta Post, 14 March 2009 In this opinion piece, the author critiques the concept of ‘empowerment’ in current community forestry policies and practices. Describing empowerment in community forestry as “one can do what they want,” he argues that community forestry has so far had a limited impact on livelihoods, as many local people have only gained “artificial empowerment.” In a published Letter to the Editor, RECOFTC’s Thomas Enters argues that the author’s definition of empowerment is both inaccurate and counterproductive. Full text Letter to the Editor Back to TOC 6. International: Norway Emerges as Champion of Rainforest Conservation Source: Mongabay.com, 19 March 2009 Norway has quietly emerged as the largest and most important international force in tropical forest conservation, committing 3 billion krone ($US440 million) a year to the effort. The country hopes it can help push the inclusion of forest conservation in the Kyoto Protocol’s successor by providing funding and fostering cooperation among international actors such as the UN and World Bank, as well as developing countries. The aim would be to fund the creation of an international architecture to incorporate deforestation and degradation into a post-2012 climate regime. This article details Norway’s efforts to support forest conservation as a means to mitigate climate change and its leadership in promoting REDD as one such mechanism. It includes an interview with Hans Brattskar, ambassador and director of the Norwegian Government’s International Climate and Forest Initiative. Full text Back to TOC 7. Malaysia: ‘Green’ Dams Hasten Destruction of Borneo Forests Source: The Sunday Times, 15 March 2009 Twelve dam projects threaten millions of acres of primary forest and risk displacing thousands of native Dayak people in Sarawak. The State Government claims the dams are the first stage of a “corridor of renewable energy” that will create 1.5 million jobs through industries powered by safe and clean hydro-electricity. However, critics argue Sarawak does not need more electricity and fear the projects will compound the devastation wreaked on Borneo’s people and land by previous dam projects and the felling of its forests. The State Government says it has offered adequate compensation plus resettlement deals with better jobs, health and education; however, many Dayak communities would rather the Government recognize their rights to the land. Full text Back to TOC 8. Nepal: Climate Change ‘Fans Nepal Fires’ Source: The BBC, 1 April 2009 The forest fires that flared unusually viciously in many of Nepal’s national parks and conserved areas this dry season have left conservationists worrying if climate change played a role. Difficult geography and inadequate resources have made it hard to control forest fires in the Himalayan region. Experts point to an unusually long dry winter as a cause for the fires. However, more studies are needed to determine the impacts of climate change on long-term weather patterns and ecosystems in the Himalayans. Full text Back to TOC 9. Papua New Guinea: PNG Creates First Nature Reserve Source: Mongabay.com, 3 March 2009 Thirty-five villages have signed a formal agreement to create Papua New Guinea’s first national conservation area. The YUS Conservation Area will be owned by the villages, who agreed to prohibit hunting, logging, mining, and other development within the area, and a community organization will be created to oversee management the area. The Woodland Park Zoo of Seattle and National Geographic provided support in developing the partnership between the communities, and the Zoo will continue working directly with locals in the management of the area as well as provide support to improve local access to education and healthcare. Full text Back to TOC 10. The Philippines: Calendar Heightens Awareness on Mangroves Source: The News Today, 30 March 2009 Retired Iloilo-based scientist Jurgenne Primavera has developed a Mangrove Tidal Calendar to help scientists, especially researchers on fisheries and aquaculture, determine accurately tidal patterns at anytime of the day. While many calendars indicate the time of low and high tides, the Mangrove Tidal Calendar gives detailed levels corresponding to a particular time. The calendar is illustrated with full-page photographs, encouraging the public to develop an aesthetic appreciation of mangroves. A project of the Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation, the calendar is part of efforts to raise public awareness on mangroves and the importance of conservation efforts. The distribution of calendars has so far been limited to 500 complimentary copies, but there is scope to print additional copies if there is demand; please e-mail jurgenne.primavera@zsl.org. Full text Back to TOC 11. Viet Nam: Central Highlands Resource Tappers to Pay Forest Protection Fees Source: Thanh Nien Daily, 20 March 2009 Lam Dong Province will soon begin collecting forest protection and other environmental service fees to supplement the incomes of forest management and protection workers. The Provincial Government expects to collect annually VND50 billion (US$2.86 million) from electric, water, and tourism and eco-tourism companies. Ninety percent of the money would be paid to forest landowners, managers, and the families and individuals who work to protect the forests, said Nguyen Truc Bong Son from the Lam Dong Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The remainder would be handed to the newly-established Forest Protection and Development Fund. Full text Back to TOC
	UPDATES FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
	1. FAO Releases State of the World’s Forests 2009 Sources: FAO, the BBC, Environmental News Service (ENS), March 2009 FAO’s State of the World’s Forests 2009 finds that recent global economic turmoil has reduced demand for wood, shrinking investments in forest industries and forest management. It expresses concern that the economic downturn could lead governments to ‘water down’ ambitious green targets or defer key policy decisions related to climate change mitigation and adaptation as they focus on bringing in funds. It also warns that contraction of formal economic sectors may open opportunities for informal sector expansion, and could lead to more illegal logging. The report advises that stronger forest management and greater investments in science and technology are needed to handle the challenges posed by both the financial crisis and climate change. For the Asia-Pacific region, it projects that demand for wood and wood products will continue to increase inline with the growth in population and income. While it concludes that overall forest hectarage in the region has increased, it notes the increase is largely due to high afforestation in China, which masks significant natural forest loss in a number of countries. Full report BBC coverage ENS coverage Back to TOC 2. GEF-STAP Convene Workshop on REDD, Forest Conservation, and Sustainable Forest Management Source: IISD & UNEP, March 2009 The Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) held a workshop on 31 March 2009, in Washington DC, to develop scientific and technical guidelines for the fifth GEF Replenishment (GEF-5) strategic programming on REDD, forest conservation, and sustainable forest management. The workshop developed a set of potential options under “forest landscape carbon management” and “institution and capacity building” for GEF-5 Strategic Programs based on new science and the Bali Action Plan. IISD coverage Workshop website and meeting presentations/documents Back to TOC 3. Indonesia Applies for FCPF, Draws Warnings on REDD Sources: Reuters & Mongabay.com, March 2009 Indonesia has applied to join the World Bank’s $US350 million Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), a REDD-based program that supports developing nations’ efforts to fight deforestation and help them earn cash through the sale of tradable carbon credits. Indonesia is also developing REDD regulations and is expected to issue them by mid-year. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has issued a warning that REDD schemes in Indonesia could foster conflict over land and deny forest people access to traditional rights if forest-carbon concessions are allotted in the same manner as logging and plantation concessions. Another vocal critic has been Greenpeace, who has opposed Indonesia’s plan to use a market-based mechanism to reduce deforestation. The organization has also issued calls for Indonesia to improve oil palm plantation productivity, rather than convert forest and peatland to meet increasing demand. Reuters coverage—Indonesia Applies for World Bank Forest CO2 Scheme Reuters coverage—Indonesia Must Boost Palm Yields to Save Forests Mongabay coverage—REDD in Indonesia Could Evict Forest Peoples From Own land, Warns UN Mongabay coverage—Greenpeace Opposes Forest Conservation Initiative in Indonesia Back to TOC 4. Satellite Technology a Potent Tool to Monitor Forests Sources: Yale Environment 360, Cisco Systems, Ecosystem Marketplace, Mongabay.com, March 2009 State-of-the-art satellite and remote sensing technologies are increasingly improving the ability to capture and collect data on forests worldwide. This month, NASA and Cisco Systems announced a partnership to develop a global online platform, named Planetary Skin, to monitor environmental conditions around the world. Remote sensing looks to play a particularly important role in measuring the amount of carbon captured by trees. Google Earth has effectively emerged as potent tool for conservation, particularly through its Google Earth Outreach program, which works with nonprofits to develop tools using the technology—deforestation maps for Sumatra are now available online at www.sumatranforest.org. Mongabay interviewed one of the developers of Google Earth Outreach, David Tryse, who is currently developing an online application named kmlfactbook that will allow users to easily create powerful visualizations of datasets in Google Earth. Yale Environment 360 coverage Cisco Systems press release Ecosystem Marketplace coverage Mongabay interview with David Tryse Back to TOC 5. UN-REDD approves $US18 Million for Five Countries Sources: UNEP & Carbonpositive, March 2009 The UN-REDD Programme has approved $US18 million to support five pilot countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Tanzania, and Viet Nam. The funding will support action plans to assist the countries prepare for the inclusion of REDD in a new climate deal. Country funds are earmarked towards developing the capacity to develop baselines from which to measure emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, monitoring programs, consultative processes for engaging indigenous peoples and civil society, and strengthening the capacity of relevant national institutions. An additional $US6.9 million has also been approved for global support functions. UNEP press release Documents and presentations from 1^st Un-REDD Policy Board Meeting Carbonpositive coverage Back to TOC 6. World Forest Week Convenes in Rome Sources: FAO, March 2009 The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized the World Forest Week, Forests in a Changing World, during 16–20 March in Rome in conjunction with the annual meeting of the FAO’s Committee on Forestry. Central themes included sustainable forest management and climate change, and institutional change in a dynamic world. Prior to these meetings, the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) held a consultation meeting on approaches and mechanisms for financing sustainable forest management. Documents from these meetings are available via the links below. Committee on Forestry & World Forest Week documents UNFF meeting documents Back to TOC
	PUBLICATIONS
	1. A New Climate for Forests: GEF Action on Sustainable Forest Management Publisher: Global Environment Facility, March 2009 This publication sheds light on GEF experience in sustainable forestry management. It puts forward guiding ideas on how to build on GEF comparative advantages in financing forests in the coming years, as these invaluable, but threatened resources occupy center stage in multiple international agendas. Download the publication. Back to TOC 2. Challenges of Forest Governance in Aceh (Second Edition) Publisher: Eye on Aceh, March 2009 This publication assesses the current state of forest governance in the Indonesian state of Aceh. It highlights the strides the provincial government has made post-civil war and post-conflict, as well as identifies the remaining gaps in natural resource governance and numerous constraints that inhibit reform in this sector. Download the report. An Indonesian version of the report should be available here by the end of April 2009. Back to TOC 3. Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2009 Publisher: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, March 2009 The 2009 edition of UN-ESCAP’s Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific analyzes the threat posed by the convergence of three global crises—the global economic downturn, food and fuel price volatility, and climate change—on Asia and the Pacific. It outlines how the region can respond, concluding that some countries are in a stronger position to not only help themselves, but others as well in smoothing the impact of the crisis and strengthening regional cooperation. It notes the crises could be turned into an opportunity to jumpstart a regional reorientation towards a more inclusive and sustainable development path. Download the survey and related media. Back to TOC 4. Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Reduced Emissions from Reduced Deforestation and Forest Degradation: The Case of the Saramaka People v. Suriname Publisher: Forest Peoples Programme, March 2009 Given that indigenous people are the traditional owners of a large percentage of the world’s remaining forests, to what extent should the various proposals for REDD or avoided deforestation account for and respect indigenous peoples’ rights? As a way of thinking about this question, this briefing looks at the Saramaka People v. Suriname case decided by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in November 2007. It concludes that attention to indigenous peoples’ rights is not only desirable as a means to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of climate change mitigation measures, but also that these rights must be viewed as part of the legal framework for conceiving and implementing such measures. Failure to do so undermines the rule of law and will expose REDD proponents and investors to serious risks. Download the publication. Back to TOC 5. ITTO/IUCN Guidelines for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in Tropical Timber Production Forests Publisher: ITTO & IUCN, 2009 This publication is a complete revision and updating of ITTO's original Biodiversity Guidelines, first published in 1993. It sets out the specific actions that policymakers, forest managers, and other stakeholders should take to improve biodiversity conservation in tropical production forests. Download the publication in English, French, or Spanish. Back to TOC 6. Keadilan Iklim Dan Penghidupan Yang Berkelanjutan Publisher: Down to Earth, 2009 Down to Earth, the International Campaign for Ecological Justice in Indonesia, has published an Indonesian language compilation of its newsletter articles related to climate change, including several substantial reports on REDD. These articles cover international debates about REDD as well as REDD projects and policy developments in Indonesia, and the implications of these for Indonesia's indigenous communities. (Reference courtesy of the CBD REDD e-Newsletter.) Download the publication. Back to TOC 7. Positive and Negative Aspects of Forestry Conflict: Lessons From Decentralized Forest Management in Indonesia Authors: Yurdi Yasmi & John Guernier (RECOFTC), Carol Colfer Publisher: International Forestry Review, March 2009 Drawing upon the results of a case study from Sumatra, this journal article explores how the positive and negative aspects of forestry conflict can increase with decentralization processes. Cast in a negative light, conflict here was seen by stakeholders to accelerate deforestation, sour relationships, and generate high social risk. On the other hand, stakeholders also suggested that conflict created opportunities to participate in forest management, allow negotiation, and stimulate learning. The authors suggest that to address conflict under decentralization, property rights claims (de facto vs. de jure) need to be addressed and reconciled through negotiation processes so that positive aspects of conflict can be fostered and negative aspects avoided. Additionally, decentralization needs to be prepared and implemented with care. Strong legal frameworks, clear implementation guidelines, and capacity building for stakeholders are important elements that can contribute to the effectiveness of decentralization. Download the article. Back to TOC 8. REDD in Indonesia: Options and Challenges for Fair and Efficient Payment Distribution Mechanisms Authors: Meine van Noordwijk, Herry Purnomo, Leo Peskett and Bambang Setiono Publisher: ICRAF, 2008 This working paper suggests that to ensure demonstrable results on emission reductions, REDD mechanisms must be effective in targeting the wide range of agents involved in deforestation and degradation; learning lessons from past and ongoing conservation efforts that have apparently failed. They must reward good performance and incentivize improved performance compared to reference scenarios, and adequately compensate agents that suffer losses from changed practices. International payments are likely to be performance-based, both in terms of emission reductions at national scales and the environmental and social impacts of the system. This means that accountability, transparency, risk management, adequate benefits transfer, and administration mechanisms will be essential for attracting investment. Download the paper. Back to TOC 9. Two IIED Briefings on REDD Author: Vergilio Viana Publisher: IIED, March 2009 IIED has published two papers that look at how to protect forests, improve people’s lives and livelihoods, and help to address climate change. The papers demonstrate ways to implement REDD and call for a two-track funding system. One track would be support from wealthy governments to governments of developing countries to improve forest governance and policies that reduce deforestation. The second track would use money from carbon markets to support projects on the ground in return for carbon credits. Both are authored by Virgilio Viana, the former Secretary of Environment and Sustainable Development for Amazonas state, Brazil. Download the briefings. Back to TOC
	EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
1. Training Event: Carbon Finance Training by GERES Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 22–27 June 2009 Application deadline: 20 April Groupe Energies Renouvelables, Environnement et Solidarités (GERES) will host a carbon finance training course in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from 22 to 27 June 2009. The training will provide conceptual and practical understanding of the forces causing climate change, the global legal and institutional framework that is currently in place to address climate change, mechanisms to deal with climate change, and the dynamics of opportunities arising from carbon markets. The six-day course is suitable for environmental NGOs, environmental project developers, businesses, and other institutions seeking to interact with emerging environmental markets. For further information and to register, please e-mail Ms. Kuy Putheary (p.kuy@geres.eu). Back to TOC 2. Early Bird Registration: 2^nd World Agroforestry Congress Nairobi, Kenya, 23–28 August 2009 Early bird registration deadline: 30 April 2009 The 2^nd World Congress on Agroforestry will assess opportunities to leverage scientific agroforestry in promoting sustainable land use worldwide. The overall Congress theme is Agroforestry—The Future of Global Land Use. Sessions will be organized around the following topics: (i) markets as opportunities and drivers of agroforestry land use, (ii) tree-based rehabilitation of degraded lands and watersheds, (iii) climate change adaptation and mitigation, (iv) agroforestry's contribution to multifunctional agriculture that combines productivity with environmental sustainability, and (v) policy options and institutional innovations for agroforestry land use. For more information and to register, click here. Back to TOC 3. Call for Papers: Third International Faustmann Symposium - Forest Economics in a Dynamic and Changing World The Hunting Castle of Kranichstein, Darmstadt, Germany, 28–31 October 2009 Paper submission deadline: 30 April 2009 The themes of the Third International Faustmann Symposium: Forest Economics in a Dynamic and Changing World are as follows: - New theoretical developments of deterministic and stochastic forest economic models in the rapidly changing worlds of natural resources, environment, and economic development. - Theoretical and practical applications for optimal timber production at the stand, forest and regional levels, including studies on forest economic problems in developing countries. - Studies on the integration of timber production with recreational and other forest values, including economic studies on forestry and climate change. - Studies applying the optimal rotation approach in other fields of resource, environmental, or agricultural economics. For consideration, full papers in the English language must be received by 30 April 2009. For more information on paper submission and to register for the symposium, click here. Back to TOC 4. International Conference on Forest Tenure, Governance and Enterprise: New Opportunities for Livelihoods and Wealth in Central and West Africa Yaoundé, Cameroon, 25–29 May 2009 The purpose of the conference is to catalyze new and broader actions by government and civil society to secure tenure rights in Central and West Africa. This will involve setting goals and developing agendas for new interventions and reform. The event is organized and co-sponsored by the Ministry of Forests and Wildlife of the Government of Cameroon, the International Tropical Timber Organization, IUCN Cameroon, and the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI). For more information, click here. Back to TOC 5. International Conference: The 8^th Meeting of Asia Forest Partnership and AFP Dialogue: REDD and Combating Illegal Logging Bali, Indonesia, 28–29 May 2009 The Asia Forest Partnership (AFP) Dialogue 2009 will examine links between mechanisms to compensate countries for reducing deforestation and forest degradation, and efforts to combat illegal logging and the associated timber trade. The two-day event will provide an opportunity for the many stakeholders in tropical forests to share information, to establish partnerships, and to propose recommendations to policymakers. The outcomes of the dialogue will be shared with international processes related to REDD, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the UN Forum on Forests. More information on the event and registrations should be posted here soon. Or please e-mail AFP@cgiar.org. Back to TOC 6. International Conference: High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change in the Asia and Pacific—A Development Challenge Manila, The Philippines, 18–19 June 2009 The Dialogue will be held in conjunction with the 4^th Asia Clean Energy Forum 2009, at the Asian Development Bank Headquarters. The focus of the event will be on disseminating proven results and strategies at the intersection policy, finance, and implementation. It will foster awareness and knowledge of emerging trends and issues in climate change that face the Asia and Pacific region. The Dialogue will also provide a venue for an exchange of knowledge on policies, technologies, partnerships, and other measures that can help the region tackle these challenges. It will promote more effective regional cooperation and will strengthen regional and global partnerships among development leaders, experts, and practitioners. For more information and to register, click here. Back to TOC 7. Training Event: Managing Natural Resource Conflict: Concepts and Practice RECOFTC, Bangkok, Thailand, 15–25 September 2009 Registration deadline: 15 August 2009 This training course will provide participants with an understanding of the basic principles, skills, and techniques used in analyzing and mediating conflict. Participants will increase their knowledge and skills in analyzing conflict, assessing management options and developing strategies to manage conflict, learn a variety of conflict management techniques in order to negotiate and build agreements, and learn how to plan for and support collaborative conflict management approaches. Importantly, participants will also learn to take a proactive role in anticipating and addressing conflict in its early phases. For more information and to register, click here. Back to TOC 8. Training Event: Landscape Functions and People—Applying Strategic Planning Approaches for Good Natural Resource Governance RECOFTC, Bangkok, Thailand, 26 October to 6 November 2009 Registration deadline: 26 September 2009 Scholarship deadline: 1 June 2009 This course offers participants an opportunity to learn current practices for landscape-level planning approaches and to develop practical skills and experience in the use of tools applicable for landscape-level planning, monitoring, and implementation. The course is a collaboration between Wageningen International and RECOFTC. A limited number of fellowships are available from the Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP) for applicants from South and Southeast Asia. Applications for NFP fellowships should be submitted to Wageningen International before 1 June 2009. To find out more: www.courses.wur.nl (under ‘Fellowships’). For more information on the training course and to register, click here. Back to TOC 9. Call for Abstracts: Community Forestry International Workshop Pokhara, Nepal, 15–18 September 2009 Abstract submission deadline: 15 July 2009 Hosted by Nepal’s Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, the workshop theme is Thinking Globally – Acting Locally: Community Forestry in the International Arena. The theme emphasizes the need for urgency in the worldwide response to community rights, poverty alleviation, and climate change, and for action on the part of all stakeholders at the global, national, regional, and local levels. Some 150 participants are expected to attend the workshop, which will be held in Pokhara 15–18 September. Visit the workshop website to find out information on abstract submission and participant registration. Back to TOC 10. International Conference: 4^th International Casuarina Meeting Guangzhou, China, 22–26 March 2010 The 4^th International Casuarina Meeting is scheduled to be held in Guangzhou, China, from 22 to 26 March 2010. The objectives of the meeting are to update and collate current information and advances in the research and development of this interesting group of species, with particular reference to their impact on smallholder livelihoods. Outputs from the meeting will include proceedings and a rejuvenation of the international network. For further information, please e-mail Dr. Zhong Chonglu of the Chinese Academy of Forestry (zcl@ritf.ac.cn; zclritf@gmail.com) or Mr. Khongsak Pinyopusarerk of CSIRO Plant Industry (khongsak.pinyopusarerk@csiro.au). Back to TOC 11. Call for Responses: REDD Governance and Local Participation The Frontlines of Climate Change Forum, a UNESCO-supported online forum, is seeking reader responses to two questions: (i) How can governments ensure that community voices are heard in discussions on REDD? and (ii) What are you doing in your community to take an active part in the REDD debate? To respond to the two questions, click here. Back to TOC
JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES
1. Country Representative, IUCN Vietnam Location: Hanoi, Viet Nam Closing Date: 18 April 2009 IUCN Vietnam is seeking a Country Representative. S/he would be responsible for providing effective leadership in implementing the national program and representing IUCN in-country. S/he would also work collaboratively on a regional level with other Cambodia and Laos Country Representatives. Essential qualifications include 5–10 years of professional senior management experience, preferably in the field of environment and sustainable development, and fluency in both English and Vietnamese. View the full job announcement. Back to TOC 2. Adult Learning Expert, RECOFTC Location: Bangkok, Thailand Closing Date: 30 April 2009 RECOFTC is seeking an Adult Learning Expert for its Capacity Building Services Program (CABS). S/he will provide expertise in the field of capacity building needs assessment, training and other capacity building program development, training material development, training and capacity building methodology guidance, and media options for capacity building activities. S/he will also provide advice and direct support to country programs in relation to training courses and other capacity building program development. S/he will work closely with other senior program officers, country training coordinators to design and implement capacity building programs in RECOFTC at both regional and country levels. Essential qualifications include an advanced degree in adult learning, psychology with a concentration in adult education, or natural resource management with a degree or certificate in adult learning/education; at least 10 years of experience as a senior trainer or training program coordinator; and fluency in English. View the full job announcement. Back to TOC 3. IT Officer, RECOFTC Location: Bangkok, Thailand Closing Date: 30 April 2009 RECOFTC is seeking a Thai national for the position of IT Officer. S/he will be responsible for supervising and maintaining RECOFTC’s IT network, and computer hardware and software. S/he will also provide day-to-day technical support to computer users both in terms of software and hardware. Essential qualifications include a Batchelor’s degree in computer engineering or related field; 3–5 years of experience in hardware and desktop software support; and good command of both spoken and written English. View the full job announcement. Back to TOC 4. Natural Resources Officer, UN-REDD Secretariat Location: Bangkok, Thailand Closing Date: 1 May 2009 The UN-REDD Secretariat is seeking a Natural Resources Officer to provide overall support for FAO-led activities in UN-REDD pilot countries in the the Asia-Pacific. Essential qualifications include an advanced degree in natural resource management or related subject; seven years of relevant experience, including international experience in natural resource management and/or monitoring and assessment, preferably with a specialization forestry or climate change issues; and a working knowledge of English. View the full job announcement. Back to TOC 5. Program Officer—Climate Change and Natural Assets, The Ford Foundation Location: New York Closing Date: 29 May 2009 The Ford Foundation is seeking a Program Officer for the Foundation’s Climate Change and Natural Assets unit, to be based in New York. S/he would be responsible for implementing, monitoring, and coordinating grant-making activities in the Responses to Climate Change that Lift the Rural Poor portfolio. Preferred qualifications include a graduate degree in public policy, natural resource management, the social sciences, or another relevant field; and significant professional experience and leadership in environmental policy, CBNRM, and/or rural development with a combination of policy analysis, advocacy, communications, and implementation experience. View the full job announcement. Back to TOC 6. Program Officer—Community Rights and Natural Assets, The Ford Foundation Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Closing Date: 29 May 2009 The Ford Foundation is seeking a Program Officer for the Foundation’s Community Rights and Natural Assets unit, to be based in Jakarta. S/he would be responsible for implementing, monitoring, and coordinating grant-making activities in the Expanding Community Rights and Voice over Natural Resources portfolio. Essential qualifications include a graduate degree in a public policy, economics, law, or another relevant field; significant professional experience and leadership in environmental policy, CBNRM, and/or rural development; and advanced oral and written communication skills in both English and Bahasa Indonesia. View the full job announcement. Back to TOC 7. SEARCA Graduate Scholarships 2010–2011 Closing Date: 30 July 2009 SEARCA invites applications for MS and PhD scholarships in agriculture and related fields (including forestry, economics, the social sciences, and environmental sciences) for the 2010–2011 academic year. The scholarship is open to SEAMEO nationals who are regular employees of academic or research institutions or government agencies and are not older than 35 years of age. View the full job announcement. Back to TOC 8. Program Coordinator for Asia, RRI Location: Washington, DC Closing Date: Until filled RRI are seeking a Program Coordinator for Asia. S/he is responsible for ensuring the smooth and effective implementation of RRI projects in the Asia region and for contributing to RRI global activities and outreach. S/he will proactively manage the implementation of RRI activities within a dynamic environment of shifting priorities, overcoming impediments and solving problems, while maintaining effective communication with Program Directors, and effective teamwork with staff and coalition Partners and Collaborators. Essential qualifications include an advanced degree in human rights, natural resource management or forest, policy, rural development, and/or environmental or international law; at least five years project experience in rights-based forest conservation, rural development, poverty alleviation, and/or human rights; and fluency in English. View the full job announcement. Back to TOC 9. Coalition and Communication Manager, RRI Location: Washington, DC Closing Date: Until filled RRI are seeking a Coalition and Communication Manager to support coordination of the RRI international coalition and tell the world about the great work of our partners. The position is ideal for someone who is systematic and precise, who can handle details carefully without compromising attention to big-picture goals. Preferred qualifications include exceptional communication skills in English and preferably a second language (especially French or Spanish); at least two years of professional experience; and a degree in social justice studies, international development, policy, natural resources, environmental issues, or international affairs. View the full job announcement. Back to TOC
NETWORK OF THE MONTH
Forest Connect Forest Connect is a learning network site that focuses on sharing news about Small and Medium Enterprises (SMFEs), including tools and tactics that have worked to improve the prospects of SMFEs, recent documents of relevance and use, upcoming jobs, meetings, and training events. For more information including how to join Forest Connect, click here. Back to TOC
RECOFTC ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. RECOFTC Signs MoU With Nepal The recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between RECOFTC and the Government of Nepal will open new avenues for sharing their community forestry experience with other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. "Community forestry has progressed so fast and so far in Nepal it really is a shining example,” said Dr Yam Malla, RECOFTC's Executive Director, at the signing ceremony. "Many lessons have already been drawn, but informally and not systematically, and this MoU is the first step towards addressing this." Read the press release. Back to TOC 2. Submissions by RECOFTC and Partners to UNFCCC At December’s COP-15 in Copenhagen, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiators are expected to make final decisions on the shape of REDD. Meanwhile, advisory bodies under the UNFCCC are attempting to tackle key outstanding issues. Questions abound. Should it be project-based, national, or a combination? What are the opportunities and what are the risks for rural people? How much funding is needed? What capacities are required and what already exist? RECOFTC, as an accredited observer, has been involved in a number of recent submissions to the UNFCCC, which aim to ensure the important role of local people in REDD remains firmly on the agenda. By drawing on lessons from community forestry, they provide proactive ideas for designing a REDD mechanism that works for both people and forests. To view the submissions, please click here. Back to TOC 3. New Pondering on Poznan Article RECOFTC led a delegation to December’s COP14 with the aim of building the capacity of Global Alliance of Community Forestry members to engage in, and influence, climate change negotiations. The third of the Pondering on Poznan series has Bhola Bhattarai of the Federation of Community Forestry Users Nepal (FECOFUN) sharing his experience with Duncan McLeod. Read the article. Back to TOC
ABOUT RECOFTC
RECOFTC holds a unique and important place in the world of forestry. It is the only international not-for-profit organization that specializes in capacity building for community forestry and devolved forest management. RECOFTC engages in strategic networks and effective partnerships with governments, nongovernment organizations, civil society, the private sector, local people, and research and educational institutes throughout the Asia–Pacific region and beyond. With over 20 years of international experience and a dynamic approach to capacity building—involving research and analysis, demonstration sites, and training products—RECOFTC delivers innovative solutions for forests and people. To learn about RECOFTC staff, view the RECOFTC Staff Directory. To learn more about community forestry, visit the RECOFTC website. P.O. Box 1111, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10903, Thailand Tel: 66-2-9405700; Fax: 66-2-5614880 E-mail: info@recoftc.org Web-site: http://www.recoftc.org/
ABOUT CF E-NEWS
The Community Forestry E-News is an e-mail released at the end of each month to update readers on community forestry related activities and issues throughout Asia and the Pacific. To provide you with the latest news, we welcome any information from different sources on people's participation in forest management. Please send your information, comments and suggestions to julian@recoftc.org by the 20th of the month. We encourage you to forward this message to others who might be interested. If you would like to subscribe to or unsubscribe from the list, please send a message to info@recoftc.org or subscribe online. To find back issues of the E-News, please go to RECOFTC's E-News webpage. The views expressed in articles published by the Community Forestry E-News do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of RECOFTC. Information from CF E-News may not be sold. Please respect copyright and acknowledge authorship and institutions when referencing or redistributing any information from this newsletter.
For more information contact: Julian Atkinson Editor Program Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation E-mail: julian@recoftc.org		With editing support by: Duncan McLeod Communications, Marketing and Fundraising E-mail: duncan@recoftc.org