FSC Africa in partnership with the Builders and Workers International (BWI) Africa Middle East Region hosted an FSC training session in Durban, South Africa on 13 -15 September 2017. The aim of the training was to better inform BWI staff and affiliates Unions in Southern Africa on the social values contained within the FSC Forest Management standard and their roles as stakeholders in the FSC System.
Participants included the Regional Representative and the Regional Education Officer from BWI Africa Middle East, Global Project Coordinator BWI International, and senior officials from BWI affiliate unions in South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. The training program was designed to combine learning outcomes with application of that knowledge to different circumstances and challenges affecting wood and forestry workers in the region. In the final session, participants formulated action plans arising from their new understanding of the FSC system and their knowledge of specific challenges facing workers and unions.
The resulting action plans form the basis for direct follow action by the participants and give impetus and direction for both broadening and strengthening BWI-FSC collaboration in the Africa region. Strengthening is required to afford the participants of this pilot course further support and networking opportunities during the implementation and evaluation of their action plans. Broadening is required to extend the training workshop to a wider range of countries and participants.
The course included a field trip to an FSC certified forestry company to see how the FM standard is implemented on the ground. Global Hardwoods hosted the participants at their Mount Desire Estate. The group visited sites which included harvesting and silvicultural operations as well as a workers’ village. Company staff and a contractor were on hand to provide briefing on how the FSC requirements are integrated into management activities and to answer questions from the group.
The course was facilitated by FSC Social Chamber member and independent consultant, Jeanette Clarke.