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International Network of Forests and Communities

Acronym: INFC

Keywords: | Development | Environment | All |

Source of Information: Survey of Civil Society Networks 2001

A. Objectives

The International Network of Forests and Communities is an international network that supports ecologically sustainable community forestry worldwide. The INFC promotes the long-term health of forests and forest-dependent communities by advancing ecosystem-based and community-based forestry. The INFC supports regional, national and international campaigns that critique development approaches that degrade forests and communities, and also works to identify and promote alternative models of community development. The principles that inform the vision we seek to advance are articulated in a consensus statement, endorsed by all members, the Saanich Statement: www.forestsandcommunities.org/saanich.html .

B. Contact Information

Coordinator	Brian Egan
Title	Coordinator
Telephone	1-250-472-4487
Fax	1-250-721-8985
Email	network@forestsandcommunites.org
Website	www.forestsandcommunities.org
Mailing Address	PO Box 2400, STN CSC, Eco-Research Chair of Environmental Law and Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 3H7, Canada

C. General Information

Founding year	1998
Legal Status	Project of the Eco-Research Chair of Environmental Law and Policy, University of Victoria
Types of actions	We pursue our mandate in a variety of ways, including: networking and information sharing; research and capacity-building; policy development and advocacy; and community support and education. An important part of our work is to serve as a linkage between community and aboriginal leaders, forestry practitioners, activists, non-governmental and governmental organizations, researchers and academics.

D. Programs

Name	Goal	Approximate budget ($US)
Community Ecosystem Trust	Research and promote concept of community ecosystem trusts
BC Community Forestry Forum	facilitate information-sharing and networking on community forestry
UNFF Advocacy	Advocate for new model of international agreement on forests
FAO Forestry Department Liaison with NGOs	Explore avenues to improve collaboration between NGOs and UN FAO Forestry Dept.

E. Geographical Reach

Countries in which network participates actively

International Focus, with strong focus on Canada and British Columbia.

F. Members

The network is composed primarily by: X Organizations _ Individuals

Principal Organizations	Central Interest	Country of origin
Too many members to list here

G. Resources

Approximate annual budget of the network (in $US)

Year 2000	Year 1995	Year 1990

Sources of funding:

H. Network Infrastructure

Number of paid employees in Central Office(s)/ Secretariat(s) of Network	3
Number of paid employees elsewhere in the network	0
Does the network have a physical site of its own?	YES

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