Search the portal:    



Finnish Forest Association


PRESS RELEASE

06/26/2008

Forest Academy for Decision Makers expands to Latvia


Latvia is the first country to purchase the Forest Academy communication program.


The Finnish Forest Association customised the Forest Academy communication program into an easily applicable format in 2005. The reason was the wide interest raised during years 2003-2004 when the concept was used to organise four forums for then new EU Member States. This communication programme was also used during 2006-2007 in international forums on the use of natural resources.

The product is called Forest Academy – Programme for Increasing Dialogue on Forests in Society. It offers a communication concept aimed at enhancing cross-sectoral dialogue and relations between the forest sector and rest of society.

The contract with Latvia includes a detailed manual, training and possible consultation once the concept is implemented in Latvia. Latvia’s decision is backed by the Latvian forest industry, forest owners, the state forests, forest administration as well as the organisation responsible for promoting use of wood.

Managing Director of the Latvian Forest Owners’ Association, Ms. Aiga Grasmane explains: ”We knew the benefits of the Forest Academy and decided that time is ripe for bringing the concept to Latvia. The Finnish Forest Association has over 10 years experience with this concept and it has already proved to be a successful product. Also in Latvia decisions influencing the forest sector are increasingly made on different levels and outside the sector. We are worried that these decisions are not based on reality and that the consequences to the forest sector are not understood.” Ms. Ilva Cimdina from the Latvian Ministry of Finance has been chosen to head the Forest Academy in Latvia.


Further information

Mr Juhani Karvonen, Managing Director, Finnish Forest Association, gsm. +358-50 351 2410
Ms Tiina Rytilä, Acting Director, Forest Academy for Decision Makers, Finnish Forest Association, gsm. +358-40 566 6649

Back