CIFOR has a new strategy that focuses its resources on critical global issues influencing the world’s tropical forests and the people who depend on them.
“Forests are now receiving a level of attention that we haven’t seen for many years, if ever, and there’s no doubt that climate change is a major reason for this,” said Andrew Bennett, Chair of CIFOR’s Board of Trustees.
“So, CIFOR must ensure it represents the best interests of tropical forests and the people who depend on them, and informs the global climate debate with relevant, thorough and up-to-date research.”
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With this new strategy we’ve tried to find the right balance. We strive to respond to the opportunities presented by this unprecedented focus on forests, without losing sight of our core purpose, which is to advance human well-being, environmental conservation, and equity.
Frances Seymour
Director General |
Fittingly, the Board of Trustees has approved a new strategy, which positions the Center to respond to the emerging challenges and opportunities that now characterize the literal and figurative forest landscape, while maintaining significant continuity with the past and building on the many assets CIFOR has developed during its first 15 years.
CIFOR’s new strategy is the culmination of extensive consultation with staff, board members, donors, partners and other stakeholders from all over the world.
The new strategy will see governance, livelihoods and environmental services remain as CIFOR’s key programme areas, but with a greater emphasis on interdisciplinary research; will see CIFOR continue to engage in diverse, collaborative partnerships, but with greater relevance and purpose; will see CIFOR continue to communicate its research findings in a tailored and targeted manner, but with greater deployment of electronic and interactive channels.
CIFOR will continue to base itself in Bogor, Indonesia, and to concentrate its research on the Amazon basin, the Congo basin, dryland Africa and Southeast Asia. “Forests are being hailed as a potential solution to the global climate crisis,” said Frances Seymour, CIFOR Director General. “Huge sums of money are being projected to conserve tropical forests -- sums that could finally invert the political and economic priorities that drive deforestation.”
“But carbon sequestration is the not the only reason why forests are important. Forests harbour over half of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity; they sustain the livelihoods of over a billion people worldwide; and they provide a whole range of other ecosystem services, including water filtration, soil stabilisation, and the raw ingredients for much of the world’s medicine,” added Seymour.
“With this new strategy we’ve tried to find the right balance we seek. To respond to the opportunities presented by this unprecedented focus on forests, without losing sight of our core purpose, which is to advance human well-being, environmental conservation, and equity.”
Story by Tim Cronin, CIFOR