Public Forest Agencies in the

21st century

Driving change through transparency, tenure reform, citizen involvement and improved governance 10 April 2014

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

2 MegaFlorestais 2013, Indonesia FORESTS IN THE FUTURE--EXPECT:

- Decrease in natural forests in the tropics and expanded forests in the boreal zone.

- More frequent fires, pests, droughts and related climate disturbances.

- Expanded investments in mining, agriculture and energy development cutting through the remaining natural forests.

- Younger, simpler in structure, and more fragmented forests.

3 As a result…

Forests will be much more difficult and costly to

manage. Forest products will be less predictable, affecting the potential supply to markets, employment, the livelihoods of local people, and revenues to governments.

4 Introducing: Five Principles

• Essential principles to guide the future of effective forest governance in the twenty-first century that apply…

• Regardless of institutional age, organizational structure and even the political system in which forest agencies operate

1. Transparency in governance is fundamental 2. Clarification of tenure (land rights and

ownership) must be a key priority of governments

3. Inclusive governance is necessary 4. Forest agencies must evolve (to effectively

address new issues and needs—climate change/markets/working across agencies/landscapes)

5. Forest leaders must acquire new skills (to operate in a global environment)

Five Principles…

6 1. Transparency • Data on forests should be free and easily accessible

to citizens. • Citizens should be more involved in the planning and

implementation of forest policies and regulations that affect them.

• Bidding for forest products from publicly held forests must be fair, open and competitive.

• Community groups and other stakeholders should have the ability to actively monitor the performance of the agencies that serve them.

• Public forest agencies can take the lead in engaging citizens in effective and productive ways.

7 2. Clarification of tenure (land rights and ownership)

• Public forest agencies must be willing partners and leaders in policy changes on forest tenure.

• Clarification of tenure is an essential step in advancing human rights, alleviating poverty, and preserving the forest.

• As tenure rights and new policies are developed, should be offered to enable people to take advantage of their new rights and opportunities.

• Public forest agencies must help lead the transformation of forestland ownership and tenure.

8 3. Inclusive governance Organizational structures, policies, plans and regulations should be designed to actively engage all stakeholders: Using technology to reach citizens in remote areas Developing regulations that can be readily

understood, implemented and enforced Engaging forest users in monitoring and

enforcement Establishing effective citizen/stakeholder advisory

boards or similar organizations to incorporate wide-ranging perspectives

9 3. Inclusive governance • Public forest agencies can be role models for inclusive governance by actively engaging private land owners, Indigenous Peoples and local communities in policy development and execution.

10 4. Ability to evolve

• Leaders must be open to new organizational models--working across ministries that affect forested lands, encouraging policies at the regional or landscape scales.

• Organizational designs can help resolve conflicting policies on the same land (i.e. mining, water and agricultural policies often circumventing or undermining forest policies).

• Public forest agencies must be designed to respond to the demands of citizens, changes in their forests, and global trends.

11 5. A broader skillset for forest leaders • Skills include creating an inclusive culture within the

agencies; learning to (really) listen to citizens; social/community engagement to assure positive relationships with citizens

• As well as a deeper understanding of global trends • Examples include MegaFlorestais training symposiums:

Next Generation Leaders and Re-thinking Forest Regulations” - aimed skill development for future forest leaders

• New challenges call for new management and leadership skills.

•

12 The Road Ahead

• Public forest agencies should use and value their convening power.

• Especially to: 1.Proactively engage other land-based

ministries or private sector actors, 2.Ensure that rational and transparent

decisions on land and land use are made, 3.Make sure citizens’ rights are protected. • Leaders must set ambitious goals and lead

their organizations and political leaders towards these goals.

13 Conclusion

• Unprecedented changes are on their way. • Forest agencies have 2 choices: they can

positively influence this future or be casualties of it.

• Let’s all work together, learn from our successes and failures to figure out the way forward.

14 Authors

• Tasso Azevedo (Brazil) • Sally Collins (US) • Juan Manuel Torres-Rojo (Mexico) • Doug Konkin (Canada) • Pak Boen (Indonesia) • Keshav Kanel (Nepal) • Jim Farrell (Canada) • Dale Bosworth (US)