FSC GENERAL ASSEMBLY SPECIAL ISSUE: 7 JULY 2011

ASSEMBLING THE FUTURE - THE FINAL JIGSAW

With the passing of 27 motions, the jigsaw for the next three years is carved out – now it is up to FSC to piece it together.

Participating in an FSC General Assembly is to witness democracy unfold before your eyes. Language barriers are just one of many challenges that FSC has to cope with, to ensure a fully engaged process. The diversity of FSC came through wonderfully when Brad Young of Canada’s National Aboriginal Forestry Association spoke in his native tongue, filling the room with mysterious and melodious Avatar-like words.

At the conclusion of this well-orchestrated event, FSC’s General Director André de Freitas thanked the members for “a fantastic day”. For all its challenges, the FSC General Assembly is indeed a fascinating microcosm of global democracy.

Your Rainforest Alliance & NEPCon team

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VOTING ON FSC'S FUTURE - PART II

Controlled Wood: sealing gaps and crevices

The much debated issue of Controlled Wood moved a step forward, when members voted for essential repairs and spare parts for the ailing Controlled Wood system; will these 'quick fixes' be enough to satisfy critical stakeholders? Read more

Transparency: thumbs up, thumbs down

Transparency and stakeholder dialogue were in focus this year: on Friday, the members passed one motion and rejected another that aimed for enhanced transparency and stakeholder involvement Read more

The way ahead for smallholders and indigenous people

The FSC community made decisions on new ways to engage much more strongly with these groups when it gave the green light for capacity building, revision of the SLIMF eligibility rules, and the set-up of an indigenous peoples' committee
Read more

Plantations revisited

FSC's approach to plantations was on Friday's agenda.
Members agreed that FSC needs more clarity on this point. Meanwhile, stakeholders outside of FSC voiced their opinions on this highly emotional topic as well Read more

Forestry issues: interim standards and large operations

Members decided to move ahead with efforts to solve a long-standing issue on the consistent interpretation of the global Principles & Criteria at country level, when national standards are absent. And a decision to look into the bigger picture of large operationsis hoped to address some on-going concerns by key environmental members Read more

Stronger market engagement and intelligence

With the passing of two motions, FSC is now set to work more closely with the retail and construction sectors, each with tremendous potential for driving FSC certification. FSC will also track the uptake of FSC in the supply chain, to discover market trends and impacts on forest certification Read more

OPINION

Editorial: Another great year, now let's steam ahead

According to Richard Donovan, Vice President of Forestry at the Rainforest Alliance, FSC members don’t see certification as the silver bullet, but they also don’t see anything else as a silver bullet. And FSC isn't just a talk shop. Thoughts at the close of the 6th FSC General Assembly Read more

"Facilitating the GA is like managing a jazz band"

He’s facilitated every FSC General Assembly (GA) since 1999 with unequivocal professionalism and a dash of British humour. John Ramsay shares his view on the evolution of negotiations in this triennial event, where the extraordinary has become the ordinary but is by no means taken for granted Read more

Plantations – the step-child of FSC

Forestry expert Berty van Hensbergen takes a nuanced stance on FSC’s requirements for plantations including the infamous criterion on post-1994 conversion. Does the current rule lead to social injustice? Read more

Regional outlook: change of tack in Africa

Africa, home to the world’s second largest tropical forest – the Congo Basin – is a largely untouched potential for FSC. Participatory approaches and alignment with the EU FLEGT scheme may be part of the recipe for FSC's expansion in Africa. Read more

FSC MOVERS & SHAKERS

Timothy Synnott: "The controversies have calmed down"

He was a constructive voice in the sustainable forestry debate, while the concept of FSC was still bubbling in its primordial soup. Twenty years later, he remains strongly engaged in sustainable forest management, and a firm supporter of FSC. Meet Tim Synnott, the first FSC Executive Director Read more

THANK YOU

We would like to thank all who kindly contributed to our news bulletins covering the 6th FSC General Assembly. Special thanks to the FSC Network for contributions, pictures, and facilities; FSC Denmark for layout of the printed newsletter.

And finally thanks to the sponsors who generously supported and promoted this news service: DLH, Domtar, Clearwater Paper, Triton Loggin, Duro Bag, Tembec, SIG, Mongabay, Imaflora, IDH and the HCV Network.

Twitter gives meaning to breaking news! Throughout the event, we and our followers have been covering the FSC GA also via twitter, with real time updates on meetings and all the action taking place at the GA. A few samples below!

Rubert J. Hrubes #FSCGA11 All too quickly, it’s time to start the trip home to California. As with all the others, I leave this GA with a good feeling.

Andrew Heald Amazing party in a torrential storm closes
the #fscga11 - thanks everyone for an amazing week - its been inspirational...

CWU_GA_Daily Motion 19 - Establishment of a Permanent Indigenous Peoples' Committee- receiving strong support from the floor #FSCGA11

June Rubis We have to electronically check in and out with our conference badges every time we leave the ballroom. I feel like
certified wood

CWU_GA_Daily Preliminary vote for Motion 21 on #Plantations Policy working Group leads to discussion #FSCGA11

For real time updates before and after the event, follow us on Twitter! And share your thoughts, experiences or opinions about key issues related to the FSC General Assembly.

BORNEO FACTS

Did you know?

In Borneo’s rainforest, vines may grow 300
meters (1,000 feet) tall, and bamboo stalks
may measure 80 cm (30 inches) around.

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