In 2020 the Young African Forestry Professionals Publication Project (YAFP) with the overall goal to motivate and inspire young people to pursue forest-related studies and careers in Africa by showcasing career options and young African role models working in forest-related fields was created. Now its new book is going to be launched. It features 23 inspiring stories from aspiring and established forestry professionals from 12 countries from Africa, information on tertiary institutions in Africa offering forest-related degree programmes, forest-related networking organisations, tips on obtaining scholarships and potential forest-related career choices.
Forests contribute greatly to climate change adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity conservation, watershed functions, livelihoods and recreation. These developments have a great potential in promoting sustainable forest management and offering numerous career opportunities including green jobs. International forestry targets for Africa such as African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100), African Forestry and Wildlife Commission action plan, African Union Sustainable Forest Management framework (2020-2030), PanAfrican Action Agenda on Ecosystem Restoration for building Resilience in the context of UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) provides a platform for building a critical mass of young and talented individuals that would change Africa’s forest sector.
Nevertheless, there is declining interest among African youths in considering forestry as a profession they can pursue. Many perceptions that paint a negative picture of the profession also exist such as rigidity of the profession that is not up to date with the current trends, few job prospects among others. There is a need to raise awareness on the career opportunities that forestry education could offer to young people and to counter the existing negative perceptions.
The Joint IUFRO-IFSA Task Force on Forest Education is cordially inviting participation in the virtual launch of “Building a successful forestry career in Africa: inspirational stories and opportunities:”
Date: 12th August 2021
Time: 12:00 GMT
Venue: Zoom
Registration
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIsdeqgpj4oHN1PdXDu7FOxtNMc-0i5dvYp
