Mediterranean forests are part of multifaceted landscapes, but heavily affected by centuries of human intervention. Despite an increase of 1.8 million hectares of forest between 2010 and 2015, there are 80 million hectares of degraded land, including forests, in the Mediterranean. In these circumstances, ecological restoration of forests can be an important action to restore these lands and, consequently, bring them to a level of health and vigour and face the threats due to global changes. The importance of ecological restoration actions in natural ecosystems is also recalled by the recent UN initiative (i.e. the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030).
At the 6th Mediterranean Forest Week in Brummana, Lebanon, held in April 2019, young Mediterranean professionals in the fields of forestry and environment made a vibrant call for more forest-related job opportunities to address the environmental challenges they will face in a changing global environment. Bridging the gap between the forest and the Mediterranean youth workforce can make a difference and add value to the goods and services provided by forests, while implementing forest-based solutions.
Looking ahead to the upcoming 7th edition, to be held on 21-25 March 2022 in Turkey, the Mediterranean Forest Week will focus on the future generations of the Mediterranean and will aim to emphasise the following topics:
- Youth and green jobs: provide opportunities using Mediterranean forests
- Forest and landscape based solutions: degraded forests, desertification and forest fires
- Forest-based opportunities with a focus on youth generations and gender employment
- Environmental opportunities: EU Green Deal, Ecological Transition and New EU Forest Strategy
- Social and cultural dimension of Mediterranean forests
- Management of Mediterranean forests in view of post-pandemic scenarios
- Non-wood forest products of Mediterranean forests and their relationships with sustainable food systems
- Innovation in Mediterranean forests: case studies and call for actions
- Communication strategies, knowledge transferring and sharing experiences in Mediterranean forests
Call for sessions
You are invited to propose events to contribute to the content of the Seventh Mediterranean Forest Week through the Call for proposals, open from 26 July 2021 to 18 October 2021. The call for sessions that is open to all stakeholders on Mediterranean forestry questions. Proponents are free to choose from the following two types of sessions:
- Thematic sessions: These thematic sessions are based on the themes of the Seventh Mediterranean Forest Week. In their proposal, session organizers should ensure that the proposed thematic stream session is closely aligned to one of the topics of the Week.
- Side events: Side events do not necessary relate to the theme of the Seventh Mediterranean Forest Week but should be of interest to the audience of the Week.
For more information regarding the submissions of proposals, please click on this link to read the guidelines document.
Key dates for contributions
- 26 July 2021: Call for proposals opens. Click here to download the form.
- 18 October 2021: Call for proposals (1st stage) closes.
- October 2021: Selection review processes take place . The review panel may request that sessions be merged with other similar proposals
- October 2021 – 30 November 2021: Submit detailed proposals (2st stage). Click here to download the form.
- 20 December 2021: Proponents are notified of the final decision regarding proposals.
- Beginning of February 2022: Programme of the Seventh Mediterranean Forest Week will be published.
Additional information
The Mediterranean Forest Week brings together decision-makers from the Mediterranean region; national and local governments; technical and scientific organizations; forestry experts and managers; forest owners; environmental organizations; NGOs; investors and key donors; young professionals; media; scientists and academia; stakeholders from forest-related sectors (water, agriculture, cities).
The official languages of the Seventh Mediterranean Forest Week will be English and French. Simultaneous translation will be available during the plenary sessions.
