TFD @ 15: A Celebration of 15 Years of Dialogue

The Forests Dialogue Turns 15: A Celebration and Reception
World Forestry Congress XIV – Durban, South Africa
Monday, 7 September 2015 from 19:45 to 21:00

Background

The Forests Dialogue (TFD) traces its beginnings to June of 1999, when individuals from the WBCSD, WRI, WWF, and IIED invited representatives of private forest owners to join a discussion group in London that was facilitated by The Environmental Council.  The Forests Dialogue, originally named The Continued Dialogue on Sustainable Forest Management, emerged in response to the concern of many parties regarding the future state of world forests.  In these and many related processes, the participants voiced the need for constructive dialogue that allowed individuals to share perspectives, identify a common vision, and resolve conflicts.  Ultimately, the parties aimed to develop greater collaboration based on shared objectives.

The first meeting of The Forests Dialogue in June 1999 led to a second facilitated dialogue in August of 1999 that included private industry representatives, environmental groups, and private forest owners. As a result of this meeting, the group recommended the creation of a steering committee, which would initiate dialogue among individuals from forest products businesses, social and environmental groups, and private forest owners from around the world.

Group participants believed that the failure to identify a common vision and a lack of mutual understanding of issues and concerns among the various sectors ultimately impedes progress in forest management.  The participants also believed that there is greater commonality among conflicting groups than often is realized. The members, who perceived opportunities to reduce conflict and find common cause, created an ad hoc dialogue group to pursue this objective. Originally called The Continued Dialogue on Sustainable Forest Management, the group changed its name to The Forests Dialogue when it met in June of 2000.

Event Description

The Forests Dialogue (TFD) provides international leaders in the forest sector with an ongoing, multi-stakeholder dialogue (MSD) platform and process focused on developing mutual trust, a shared understanding, and collaborative solutions to challenges in achieving sustainable forest management and forest conservation around the world.  And this year we are turning 15!  We have engaged over 3,000 leaders in the forest sector over the past years, and ask them to join us as we start a new chapter.

This reception is a venue for friends of TFD to join the TFD Secretariat in celebrating its 15 year anniversary through a chance to catch up with TFD collaborators throughout the years.  It will be a time to reflect on TFD’s past work, reconnect with colleagues, and discuss the exciting opportunities in TFD’s future.

Objectives

This event will be a time to reflect on TFD’s past work, reconnect with colleagues, and discuss the exciting opportunities in TFD’s future.

Location

Hall 1A

Format

19:45 – 21:00 – Welcome and open reception