Thematic Training Program-Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation

Echoing the regional need to enhance in-service capacity building for more sustainably managed forest resources and sector development, APFNet initiated its thematic training program in 2008, shortly after the organization was officially launched. Based on regular need assessments, this program focuses on a number of thematic topics and is run as a learning hub for regional forest policymakers and practitioners to update knowledge, renew skills, share experiences, and inspire perspectives. In wide partnerships with regional and international agencies, organizations, universities, and research institutes, APFNet has organized more than 30 training workshops for about 500 participants from 30 regional economies. APFNet also offers tailored training courses.

Regular training Courses

Training themesRehabilitation and Management of Degraded Forests

Analyze the current status of degraded forest rehabilitation, the main drivers of degradation and future trends/scenarios for forest rehabilitation in the Asia- Pacific region.

Discuss factors that contribute to successes and failures in forest rehabilitation efforts and the lessons learned from the experience hitherto.

Assess the roles of different players/stakeholders in forest rehabilitation efforts.

Develop a "landscape approach" for a much broader perspective in searching for solutions within forests and surrounding lands.

Fulfill knowledge gap of how to make rehabilitation efforts more people and environment centric by sharing cross-economy experience, and enhance the capacity of participants to design and implement more effective strategies, plans and programs.

Forestry and Rural Livelihood Development

Analyze and assess the implications of key policy, institutional and technological developments and the potentials and limitations for forestry-based livelihood improvement;

Assess the linkage between forest management and rural livelihood improvement and explore how the livelihoods of rural communities might be improved through better forest management;

Share experiences and best forestry practices for enhancing rural livelihood development, including PES, Protected areas and livelihoods, ecotourism, etc.

Desertification Control, Livelihood Security, and Industrial Development in Greater Central Asia

*Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan exclusively targeted

Review policy, legal and institutional frameworks on combating desertification, sustainable management of dryland ecosystems and livelihood improvement;

Demonstrate best practices/models on combating desertification, to introduce both sustainable ecosystem management and livelihood development;

Enable participants to understand, analyze and apply approaches, techniques and models applied in combating desertification and restoring land;

Explore how to use market-driven/niche-based approaches to sustainably utilize dryland resources and develop industries.

Structure and approaches

Training courses are usually moderated by an experienced expert, and structured with

Participatory keynote lectures by renown experts and scholars

Participants' papers and presentations on case studies

Group assignments and discussions

Field-site learning and exercise visits

Intended participants

Training workshops are open to policymakers, planners, practitioners, and researchers in forestry and related fields upon official recommendations fromAPFNet Council Representatives of member economies or focal points of APFNet observer economies.

Being highly interactive, training workshops would be attended by participants with substantial experience relating to the workshop theme and topics. Participants would actively participate in debates, discussions, and field visits and contribute a paper to share knowledge and experiences. Female participants are encouraged.