world news - 13.01.2004
European forest research joins forces
How forest research can adapt to these new challenges was the topic of the recently completed EU-funded project IMACFORD. The project developed an integrated, innovative pan-European research network, which contributes to the emerging European Research Area. Representatives of industries and other end-users of research have participated in its work.
The IMACFORD project mobilised the largest number of researchers and stakeholders related to the Forest Sector ever gathered, as over 500 researchers and end-users of research met during the project. The process resulted in the emergence of various platforms or groups that have produced pre-evaluated pan-European research programmes. These serve the needs of geographical and thematic networking between countries and disciplines. This, in turn, contributes to the European Research Area.
The topics of the work programmes concern directly three main orientations for the forestry sector in accordance with the political resolutions agreed by the Ministerial Conference for the Protection of Forests in Europe in 2003:
* strengthening synergies for sustainable forest management (resolution 1)
The IMACFORD project has improved the dialogue between the scientific community and the end-users at the European and regional levels. For the future, this is a central role and mission of the project network, which continues.
* enhancing economic viability and competitiveness (resolution 2)
* preserving and enhancing the social dialogue and cultural dimensions (resolution 3).
See also:
- — Canada: Price Index November 2003. On a monthly basis, prices for lumber and other wood products were down 1.6% from October.
- — Danish Government Accepts MTCC Scheme
- — US willing to reopen softwood negotiations
- — The Brazilian Association for Mechanically Processed Timber expects that solid wood products' export reach US$ 2.5 billion in 2004.
- — Japan: Import Projections