International Seminar on Policies Fostering Investments and Innovations in Support of Rural Development

27-29 March, Zvolen, Slovakia

Seminar Proceedings More seminar documents, including presentations available at: http://www.efi.fi/events/extra/2006/mcpfe-investment/Programme.html

Press release/March 29, 2006

Policy-makers, scientists and forest owners in search for innovations in Europe: Who, what, how and where?

Boarder-crossing dialogue, communication, co-operation and partnership between governmental and private organisations and various stakeholder groups are key actions in fostering innovative investments in support of rural development. This recommendation for action was one of the messages conveyed to Ministerial Conference on Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE) at the International Seminar on Policies Fostering Investments and Innovations in Support of Rural Development held on March 27-29 in Sielnica near Zvolen, Slovakia. The aim of the seminar was to contribute to the implementation of MCPFE Vienna Resolution V2, Enhancing Economic Viability of Sustainable Forest Management in Europe.

“The dialogue between diverse stakeholders is inevitable for identification of key areas and sound action implementing the Vienna Resolution 2”, emphasised the Minister of the Agriculture of the Slovak Republic, Mr. Zsolt Simon in his welcome address to the Seminar.

From the left: Prof. Július Novotný - General director of National Forest Center, Mr. Zsolt Simon - Minister of Agriculture of SR, Mr. Valér Cmorik - General director of Forestry Section of Ministry of Agricultuer of SR

The participants of the seminar deliberated on the role of institutions in innovation and investment, integration of innovation in forest ad development polices/programmes and cooperation, innovation and investments from the forest owners perspective. The general conclusions pointed out that better communication, capacity building on the topic of innovation and investment and future study work is important for all actors involved. The innovation and investment were sought as market driven tools that need good coordination and cross-sector approach in order to be successfully utilised. The findings of the seminar were formulated as recommendations to be considered by the policy makers as well as science community.

The outcome and recommendations of the seminar will be used as an input for strengthening science-policy interface and knowledge base for the preparations for Warsaw Summit of the European ministers responsible for forests in Warsaw, Poland, in 2007.

The seminar was jointly organised by MCPFE Liaison Unit Warsaw, European Forest Institute (EFI), EFI-INNOFORCE Project Centre, Austria and Union of Foresters of Southern Europe (USSE) and brought together by Confederation of European Forest Owners (CEPF), National Forest Centre, Ministry of Agriculture of the Slovak Republic and Slovenská Lesnícka Spolecnosc.