Second year at University of Padova: Module 4

Forest policies and c onflict management in tropical forestry

 

Course objectives:

The aim of the course is to identify key-links between forest policy and conflicts management options in tropics, and to recognize the conflict situation as a creative opportunity for different options in forestry policies development and implementation, in forest resources management and in forestry-related decision-making processes.

 

Course contents:

The course deepens the concept of forest policies intended to solve conflicts in link with deforestation, forest products and services production and the related international trade. Central themes are: (i) forest policy at global, regional, national and local levels; (ii) the international dialogue on forests and certification systems: the opposite views and example of conflicts; (iii) opposite visions on new modes of governance; (iv) public participation in conflicting situations and negotiation procedures as tools to prevent or solve conflicts; (v) examples of constructive confrontation schemes in national forest policy formulation processes; (vi) sustainability and multifunctionality concepts as discussed for forest policy analysis; vii) key-questions linked to forest policy reform in tropical countries and conflict as a driving force for forest development; viii) a number of case studies in tropical countries are presented in detail to explain at least the following key-issues: a) forest policy changes processes; b) multi-stakeholders assessment of projects effectiveness; c) the opposition between the public Forest Service and local rural people and the possible pathways for solving it; d) policies addressing the rural population's dependency on forests; e) the role of a forestry project in poverty alleviation; f) example of market-based instruments to solve conflicts; g) the policy in support to entrepreneurship; h) community based forest management; i) projects supporting forest management participation.

 

Teaching and learning methods:

Frontal lessons, case studies analysis and role-plays, cooperative learning and consolidation workshops on theoretical and methodological issues.

 

Examination:

Oral discussion of a written report about the issues developed during the course. Oral presentation and discussion of slides (Power Point file) on selected scientific papers related to the course’s topic. Final written examination with open-ended questions.

 

Competences acquired:

(i) Knowledge about dynamical relationships among territory, actors, resources; knowledge about forest resources rights and institutional assets; knowledge about links between deforestation, trade, forest policy and conflicts; (ii) knowledge about new modes of governance and participation in conflicting situations related to forest resources management and use; (iii) knowledge about basic concepts and theoretical approaches on theory of changes, forest policy reforms, negotiation and conflict management; (iv) ability to evaluate power relationships and to analyse effectiveness of forest policy tools in changing rural populations’ assets, in improving adaptation strategies, etc.; (v) ability to recognize the latent dimension of a conflict; (vi) ability to move from the conflict resolution to the conflict transformation approach; (vii) ability to manage policy creation and implementation in conflictive setting.