FSC GENERAL ASSEMBLY SPECIAL ISSUE: 27 JUNE 2011
| TODAY'S MAIN TOPICS |
Welcome to the first issue of our Special Edition of the Certified Wood Update - bringing you news and views from the 2011 FSC General Assembly.
Today’s side events will focus on a wide range of issues important to FSC members, leading up to the formal General Assembly sessions later this week. In this issue, you'll find perspectives on key issues, including FSC Controlled Wood, engaging smallholders and credibility, which are critical to an organisation that has successfully captured the minds and hearts of many around the world.
FSC Director General Andre de Freitas assesses progress since Cape Town and reaffirms credibility as a top priority, while Rainforest Alliance Senior Vice President Richard Donovan offers his perspective as to what is needed to keep FSC focussed on the most important issues.
You can also read about key discussions from the weekend meetings on FSC's “constitutional” document – the Principles & Criteria - which is in its final stages of review.
Enjoy reading!
Your Rainforest Alliance & NEPCon team
> Read the pdf version online |
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| NEWS |
Controlled Wood: hot in 2008, red-hot in 2011?
Transparency, consistency, credibility: words that express core values for FSC and are often heard in the debate surrounding FSC Controlled Wood. We asked Greenpeace how they see FSC's progress on this issue since Cape Town READ MORE
Andre de Freitas: Integrity remains our top priority
In this extended online interview, FSC Director General Andre de Freitas talks of the progress made since he took office in 2008, but acknowledges there is more work to be done. Maintaining FSC's credibility is high on the agenda READ MORE
FSC Principles & Criteria review: for better or for worse?
Over the weekend, FSC members debated remaining issues that had yet been agreed upon regarding FSC's globally applicable Principles & Criteria (P&C). But has addressing the views of stakeholders around the world resulted in reduced access for smallholders and forests from the tropics READ MORE
Sabah: conversion criterion hinders expansion of FSC
There had to be a cut off date, and FSC chose the year 1994 to forbid certification of plantations converted from natural forest after that point. But FSC certification was invented as a market-based tool for change, and Director of Sabah Forestry Department argues this may hinder the scheme from influencing management of their most precious forests READ MORE
Small but essential
Has FSC made the step-change needed to meet this ambitious goal in its Global Strategy to boost FSC certification in the tropics and among communities? Some exciting initiatives are underway, so we look at how the 2008 motions have fared and see what lies ahead READ MORE |
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| OPINION |
Editorial: FSC and forests - a long way to go
In today's editorial, Richard Donovan from the Rainforest Alliance looks at how FSC can expand to cover a wider forest area, whilst maintaining and even boosting its credibility. He talks of two overarching challenges for FSC at this years General Assembly: to close the loop on the commitments made in 2008; and to focus on the most critical areas READ MORE
Regional outlook: Engaging stakeholders in Controlled Wood technical risk assessments
With only six Controlled Wood risk assessments approved by FSC IC and a push to boost this number, what lessons can be learned and taken on board for the reamaining FSC National Offices? Uwe Sayer and Charles Thwaites shed light on the challenges they faced in Germany and the UK, respectively, and share their advice on how to overcome these READ MORE |
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| FSC MOVERS & SHAKERS |
| Jameson French: "Some said I was a communist"
Jameson French relays what it was like to be one of the early proponents of FSC among the US industry. Today, many of his earlier critics are certified themselves READ MORE |
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| FOLLOW US ON TWITTER |
mauvoivodic Mauricio Voivodic Brazilian delegation at this year's GA is huge: representatives of several companies are here to negotiate their interests in the system
CWU_GA_Daily Soil Association: “Some consensus found on controversial P&C issues, which was really great!”
CWU_GA_Daily Sylvania Forestry “Tackling the entire P&C may have been too ambitious...reaching consensus will be tough to do by November #FSCGA11
CWU_GA_Daily Over 150 people attended the P& C review session, showing issues are sufficiently important...the stakes are high
CWU_GA_Daily Sylvania Forestry: The P&C seemed a little too ambitious...I’m concerned that they will complete by November #FSCGA11
CWU_GA_Daily #FSC Japan: “We have a small office, it was nice to meet other countries of a similar size, and that they can have an impact, its inspiring” |
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