REFOREST is a Sida-funded Programme building forest science capacity in the Eastern and Southern Africa sub-regions through PhD-level training. Its main objective is to enhance the quality, relevance and reach of forest research for transformation of livelihoods and environment in Africa. The Programme is jointly implemented by six universities, namely Sokoine University of Agriculture (Tanzania) as host, Makerere University (Uganda), The University of Rwanda, Edouard Mondlane University (Mozambique), Hawassa University (Ethiopia) and The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Sweden). The programme is producing elite forest scientists for the region.
The REFOREST Reach Community of Practice (RRCoP) is an off-shoot of The REFOREST Programme. It is being developed to bring together intellectual resources within Eastern and Southern Africa sub-regions as well as from different regions of the world to enhance forest science and practice within the region. It provides a wonderful opportunity to bring closer together research and education efforts to drive innovations in forestry. RRCoP is focused on improving forest practices through networking, dissemination of knowledge, application of knowledge and creativity/ innovations. The goal is to ensure that forest science is impacting positively upon policy, practices, livelihoods and the environment on the ground.
A community of practice is a group of individuals who share a common interest. They come together to learn, share knowledge, and experience (using various platforms) and support each other in the process of enhancing best practices in their areas of common interest. A community of practice normally has three main elements overlapping. These include (1) The domain – that is the area of interest that brings individuals together (2) The community – these are the individuals and institutions coming together and (3) The promoted best practice. In the RRCoP the domain is the forest science imbedded in the main thematic areas of the REFOREST programme, the community shall include all forest scientists and practitioners interested in the application of scientific knowledge in forest practices. Initial members shall include REFOREST students, supervisors, resource persons, forest scientists from partner universities and any other interested persons who shall express interest.
The RRCoP is intended to provide the needed platform for effective communication among forest scientists, practitioners and decision makers in the region and beyond. Through the RRCoP scientific information from research that can positively influence forest policies and practices in various countries in Africa shall be documented and shared.
The purpose of this invitation is to solicit your interest to be one of the founder members of the RRCoP. The REFOREST programme aims to launch the RRCoP in March 2024. Kindly confirm your interest by filling the attached form for founder members, and send it to Assistant Programme coordinator of REFOREST Programme. You can also register through the REFOREST website: https://www.cfwt.sua.ac.tz/reforest/rrcop
We look forward to your participation.
Yours Sincerely,
Prof. R. C. Ishengoma
PROGRAMME COORDINATOR
