10 March 2015 - Download Concept Note: "Shifting global development discourses: Implications for forests and livelihoods"

"Shifting global development discourses: Implications for forests and livelihoods"

Sustainable development objectives and discourse have dominated environmental and development policies and practice for the past three decades. During the last decade new narratives have emerged within these discourses with catchphrases like: "Green Economy", "Inclusive Green Growth", "Low Carbon Development", "Climate-Smart Agriculture" and "Sustainable Intensification". There is no universal consensus about the meaning of these concepts; instead they are interpreted in different ways by different actors and in various contexts. The myriad of understandings of e.g. "low carbon development", "green growth" and "green economy" cover a spectrum from narrow concerns about climate change and clean energy supply at one extreme to calls for more extensive transformative change in the global economic system for more efficient resource use at the other, which also calls for more sustainable and inclusive commodity supply with improved equity in benefit sharing.

Although their scope and horizon vary and are still unknown, these narratives suggest new rationalities and approaches to sustainable development. This call invites authors to concentrate on the role of forests in these narratives, related strategies, agendas and practice and corresponding implications for forests and livelihoods. The concept note includes guiding research questions and practical information about this call, including the time schedule.

WFSE is an open, global, network of scientists, experts and practitioners. It provides an independent platform for broad participation and collaboration. WFSE supports sustainable forest-related development, livelihoods and inclusive growth as well as related policy processes through international collaboration in knowledge generation and exchange. The network is steered by ten international research and development organisations and universities. The coordination is provided by the Finnish Forest Research Institute. 

WFSE focuses on topics recognised by the scientific community as important and having significant policy implications but appear not to be receiving adequate attention from the policy community. WFSE addresses such topics in a holistic, interdisciplinary manner, producing science-based, future-oriented, policy-relevant information mainly focusing on two main efforts:  1) collating, critically analysing, and synthesising existing scientific knowledge on topics of international relevance in the forest, society, and environment interface in order to draw out important lessons learned and recommendations and 2) undertaking new research to fill in crucial gaps in existing knowledge.

WFSE produces and disseminates scientific publications, policy and information briefs, and capacity-building materials. Important science-based findings are presented in international forest-related meetings and conferences and disseminated to a wide audience of scientists, policy-makers and opinion leaders, professionals, and the public, including educational programs and organisations involved in forestry development activities.

All interested individuals and organisations are welcome to collaborate and contribute to the project's activities. The main criterion for accepting contributions is the scientific quality of the work.
IUFRO-WFSE gratefully acknowledges the financial support of Finnish Forest Research Institute and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland as well as the support and in-kind contributions of all IUFRO-WFSE partner organisations.