Online discussion: Social protection for building resilience of forest dependent people

In preparation of the side event on “Social protection for building resilience of forest dependent people” that will take place at the XIV World Forestry Congress (WFC) in Durban, South Africa, from the 7th to the 11th of September 2015, FAO is launching an online discussion to gather views and experiences on the inter-linkages between social protection and forestry.
 
Forest dependent people are often located in remote and poor areas where livelihood opportunities are limited. They heavily depend on trees and forests in their surroundings for their food and nutrition security. Poverty, vulnerability, marginalization and social exclusion are among the major challenges they face. 
 
The objectives of this online discussion that contributes to the preparation of a report for the side event are to:
  • Gain a better understanding of the potential synergies and conflicts between social protection and forestry;
  • Identify major social protection instruments that can promote a sustainable forestry development;
  • Share knowledge and experience on how to better coordinate and harmonize social protection and forest policies.
 
You may wish to consider the following questions:
  • What are the impacts of forest policy and programs on risks and vulnerability?
  • What are the major sources of vulnerability for forest dependent people? What are the limitations of forest management policies and programmes in addressing them and how would these be best addressed by social protection?
  • Which countries have social protection instruments and programmes that:
  1. Target forest-dependent people?
  2. Are implemented with the aim of promoting sustainable forestry among the poor?
  3. Are integrated with sustainable forest management programmes?
  • What key factors influence the creation of synergies or conflicts between social protection and sustainable forestry? What complementarities can be utilized to optimize the effects of social protection on forestry management?
  • What aspects of the global climate-change agenda present opportunities for harmonizing social protection and sustainable forestry policies? What are the key mechanisms for fostering coordination of and coherence between social protection and forestry policies?