World Future Council: Hearing in Dar es Salaam spotlights visionary African policies

Jay OwenGlobal Citizen, Trendspotting

Press release – for immediate release

“Forests for People”

Hearing in Dar es Salaam spotlights visionary African policies
Tanzania’s Vice President H.E. Dr. Mohammed Gharib Billal welcomed international delegates

Dar es Salaam/Hamburg, 10 July 2013: Forests can make an effective contribution to improving rural livelihoods, reducing poverty, and promoting equity in Africa. At an Inter-Parliamentary Hearing on exemplary African forest policies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 9 to 12 July, legislators from Eastern African countries will question experts and discuss visionary forest policies. H.E. Dr. Mohammed Gharib Billal, Vice President of Tanzania, extended a warm welcome to all delegates at the opening ceremony on Tuesday 9 July.

The hearing is convened by the German-based World Future Council (WFC) with the support of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, namely the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and the Tanzania Forest Services Agency, with the support of the United Nations Forum on Forests and the FAO Regional Office for Africa as well as the UNDP.

Tanzania’s Vice President stressed that “contributions to environmental sustainability and poverty alleviation can only take place with good forest governance – appropriate laws, institutions, policy decisions and practical systems”.

The Honorable Lazaro Nyarandu, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, said: “This meeting is very important as it has come at the opportune time when the Ministry is in the process of reviewing the National Forest Policy and thereafter the National Forest Programme.”

In her welcome address, WFC Director Alexandra Wandel said: “We want to cast a spotlight on forest policies in Africa that lead by example. Visionary policies exist which support a sustainable and just world and protect future generations”. The ceremony continued with a video address by Jan McAlpine, Director of the United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat and WFC Councillor and a speech on forests and women by Dr. Gertrude Ibengwé Mongella, Founding President of the Pan-African Parliament and Honorary Councillor of the World Future Council.

The hosts welcome fifty participants, including parliamentarians and policy-makers from Gambia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia as well as key civil society actors and world experts on forest policies. In line with the approach of the World Future Council, which promotes “best policy” solutions, the hearing will allow for a mutual exchange on forestry initiatives, which have proved effective in certain African countries and could be replicated in others.

Inter-Parliamentary Hearing in Dar es Salaam © World Future Council

From left to right: Hon. Lazaro Nyalandu, Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr. Gertrude Mongella, Founding President, Pan-African Parliament, H.E. Mohammed Garib Billal, Vice-President, Republic of Tanzania, Alexandra Wandel, Director, World Future Council

 


Notes to Editors
Pictures of the Inter-Parliamentary Hearing in Dar es Salaam (including the above, © World Future Council) can be downloaded in full resolution here.


World Future Council

The World Future Council brings the interests of future generations to the centre of policy-making. Its 50 eminent members from around the globe have already successfully promoted change. The Council addresses challenges to our common future and provides decision makers with effective policy solutions. The World Future Council is registered as a charitable foundation in Hamburg, Germany. For more information see www.worldfuturecouncil.org andwww.futurepolicy.org.


Media Contact

World Future Council
Ina Neuberger

ina.neuberger@worldfuturecouncil.org
Phone: +49 172 748 3953
Phone (from 7 – 12 July 2013): +255 (0)765 29 4226