Format:
Onsite
Coordinators:
Ayonghe A. Nebafisu, University of Helsinki, akonwi.ayonghe@helsinki.fi
Maria Brockhaus, University of Helsinki, maria.brockhaus@helsinki.fi
Abstract:
In a 1975 novel “Ecotopia: The Notebooks and Reports of William Weston”, Ernest Callenbach envisions a desired state of stability in a future society, not yet utopian but well on the way, characterized by appropriate technology, improved relationships, natural recycling, decentralization, environmental concern, cooperation, and careful planning. The here proposed panel applies this concept to forests in the Global North and South. They feature prominently in Sustainable Development and the related goals (e.g. SDGs 1 No Poverty, 7 Affordable and Clean Energy, 10 Reduced Inequalities, 13 Climate Action, 15 Life on Land, and 16 Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), yet it seems that maldevelopment in terms of deforestation and biodiversity loss, and processes of recentralization of forest resources are ongoing.
Both the Global North and South, shaped by imperialist legacies pose many barriers to forests and people due to the growing demand for profit in forestry. Conflicts continue to lead serious setbacks, especially for forest-reliant communities. Many actors face the challenge of sustaining the economic values of forests while preserving biodiversity and mitigating climate change. We ask what does a ‘forestopia’ look like, for whom, and what enables or hinders the transition towards a forestopia that features social environmental justice? How can we transition away from these maldevelopments to a forest ecotopia?
Submissions and topic areas
We invite submissions from the social sciences as well as interdisciplinary views, critical perspectives, constructive opinions, and visions about future forests. We encourage presentation of topics that inspire debates on decolonizing and deconstructing maldevelopments of forestry, including (but not limited to): conflict resolution in forestry; people, gender, and (in)equality in forestry; forest policy integration; wellbeing and forest restoration; and just transitions in forestry. The session’s insights will be used to support the design of a policy brief.
The session is designed by collaboration of the International Forest Policy Research Group and the HELSUS Postdoctoral project “Future ‘Ecotopias’ of Sustainability in Nordic Forests Systems”.
Please submit your paper abstracts, or any inquiries, to the following emails:
akonwi.ayonghe@helsinki.fi, and maria.brockhaus@helsinki.fi
Word count for abstract submission: 300