Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - Tanzania will host a sub-regional workshop on social protection for forest-dependent communities in East Africa...
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - Tanzania will host a sub-regional workshop on social protection for forest-dependent communities in East Africa in Dar es Salaam on November 8 and 9.
The event will attract the participation of governmental authorities responsible for forestry policy/programmes, social protection policy/programmes, and forest producer organizations from Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Representatives from international and regional organizations, and from FAO headquarters, regional and sub-regional offices will also attend.
“We expect to have over 45 participants at the meeting where the main objective is to exchange information and experience in social protection needs and opportunities of forest-dependent communities; and to identify options to expand social protection coverage for forest-dependent communities,” said FAO’s Representative in Tanzania, Fred Kafeero ahead.
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| PRINCIPAL Beekeeping Officer from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism-Forestry, Ms Monica Kagya (centre) together with (from left), Principal Agricultural Economist –Prime Minister’s Office, Simon Fugara Mwanjali, FAO Team Leader – Forest Governance and Economics, Thais Linhares Juvenal, FAO Tanzania Assistant Representative (Programme), Charles Tulahi and FAO Forestry Officer, Forestry Policy and Resources Division Forestry Department, Qiang MA display four research papers on social protection for forest-dependent communities in East Africa after their launch in Dar es Salaam yesterday. The workshop was organized by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). |
With the theme “Social protection for forest-dependent communities,” the meeting will feature the release of four new working papers on social protection and sustainable forestry in developing countries that have been published by FAO Forestry Department in partnership with development institutions and member countries, he said.
The papers help demonstrate that social protection is a valuable strategy for reducing poverty, food insecurity, and vulnerability to shocks while building resilience in forest-dependent communities in developing countries. They also review the evidence for building linkages between social protection and sustainable forestry.
The papers are: A Mapping of Social Protection Needs and Opportunities for Forest-Dependent Communities in Uganda; Social Protection for Building the Resilience of Forest-Dependent People: Evidence, Linkages, Practices and Potential Applications; The Impact of the Shea Nut Industry on Women’s Empowerment in Burkina Faso; and Links Between Social Protection and Forestry Policies: Lessons from China.
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| PRINCIPAL Beekeeping Officer from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism-Forestry, Ms Monica Kagya (centre) poses for souvenir photo with the workshop participants. |
The mapping conducted in Uganda demonstrates that some of the ‘poorest of the poor’ living in forests suffer because they lack political power, are socially excluded, and live in remote areas far removed from any government services — all of which leaves them vulnerable to shocks.
While in parts of Burkina Faso, women participating in groups for shea butter production are reporting higher incomes from better marketing — but more importantly, they appreciate the strong collaboration and social support they get from their groups.
In fact, forest producer organizations have shown their ability to play an important role in supporting social protection. Further, where government-provided social protection is absent or lacking, forest producer organizations can provide complementary social protection services, combining forest conservation and poverty-reduction goals.
The papers also suggest solutions such as expanding social-protection services into more forest and rural areas; improved training and support for alternative livelihood sources; better access to technology and financial services; and more fair land tenure processes.
The meeting is organised by FAO Forestry Department, Strategic Program 3 and FAO Representation in Tanzania.
For More Information Contact:
Emmanuel Kihaule
National Communications Officer
Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
Fax: +255 22 2667286
Mob. +255 767 180 937
Skype: Emmanuel.kihaule
Skype: Emmanuel.kihaule
Website:www.fao.org
Qiang Ma
Forestry Officer
Forestry Department
Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
Rome, Italy
Tel: +39 06570-55011
Tel: +39 06570-55011
Email: Qiang.Ma@fao.org
Website:fao.org/forestry/social-protection
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