 |
 |
In Search of Integrity:
Looking After Basic Needs and Human Security in the Forests
|
 |
How can the forest sector better contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and human security?
Today, Community Forest Management (CFM) is widely spread. From pilot projects and models to programs and replication strategies, what was a hope is now an emerging reality for many communities in an increasing number of countries. The challenge is to strengthen its social and environmental impact in the poorest of areas with far greater coverage and consolidation. Only when the basic needs and rights of a community are being met will the community attain the basic security and capacity to cope with risks, uncertainties, threats and setbacks, thus enabling them to build a program of forest management. This may not be sufficient in every community context as the resources available are inadequate and other options will need to be developed. This will, however, encompass far more of the poor in addressing their needs than the present forest sectoral approach.
Management of forest areas by dependent communities in every locality has to become a reality for all, not just a select set of communities, if community forest management is to have a serious impact on poverty reduction. While there are many ways to strengthen our orientation and focus to deal with poverty, the need to build local capacity to improve productivity in forest areas for the benefit of the community must remain a high priority.
"In Search of Integrity: Looking after Basic Needs and Human Security in the Forests" is a working paper that seeks to broaden the scope of community forest management and give further attention to those at the margins of greater poverty who need all the more to be included. Peter Walpole presented the paper as an overview for the 11th AFN Regional Meeting on Forest Sector Contribution to Millennium Development Goals, RECOFTC, Thailand, November 2006.
View Working Paper (pdf, 990Kb) |
|
 |
|
|
