Forest governance and social justice: practical tactics from a learning group approach in Africa
Livelihoods and forests are often in trouble because people are marginalized from governance. The forest governance learning group is an independent alliance developing practical tactics for making progress in such situations in Africa. It recognises that the current international drive
to combat illegal forestry could do more harm than good if social justice is not brought centre-stage. In Malawi and Mozambique sub-groups have recognised the real danger that communities will disengage from forest stewardship unless practical mechanisms for their ownership and responsibility
are found. In Uganda a sub-group has used the space created by decentralisation and high-profile cases of timber trade corruption to develop improved systems. In Ghana, the work points to the potential powder keg created at community level by those involved in flouting the law and over-harvesting
timber. A renegotiation amongst stakeholders through forest forums is being called for in bringing the major abusers to book.
Keywords: Africa; forest governance; forests; learning group; social justice
Document Type: Research Article
Affiliations: 1: Forestry and Land Use programme, International Institute for Environment and Development, Edinburgh, UK. 2: Faculdade de Agronomia e Engenharia Florestal, University of Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique. 3: National Forestry Authority, Kampala, Uganda. 4: Civic Response, Accra, Ghana. 5: Department of Forestry, Lilongwe, Malawi.
Publication date: 01 June 2006
- The International Forestry Review is a peer-reviewed scholarly journal that publishes original research and review papers on all aspects of forest policy and science, with an emphasis on issues of transnational significance. It is published four times per year, in March, June, September and December. Theme editions are a regular feature and attract a wide audience.
The IFR is part of The Global Forest Information Service - GFIS
International Forestry Review has an Impact Factor of 1.705 - Editorial Board
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