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The underlying principle for cooperation
at the heart of the RECOFORME project
is based on the fact that extensive scientific,
technical and practical knowledge and
understanding is most often to be found
in the field in the areas where projects
are effectively under way and that such
knowledge can be shared with other groups
confronted with identical problems elsewhere.
Previous to now this type of exchange
has indeed occurred but in too haphazard
and sporadic a manner to enable notable
results to appear or for their capitalisation.
At certain locations forming sites of
a wide range of specific forestry projects,
exchanges of experience and results (both
the successes and failures) have been
programmed, along with the capitalisation
of new understanding and know-how which
is thus passed onwards to the people most
involved in managing the areas which concern
us here.
In this way, each project on each pilot
site will include a series of measures
for communication which can be classified
as follows:
- Bi-or multilateral communication between
the network of pilot sites.
- Capitalisation of knowledge and know-how
and effective, wideranging communication
throughout the whole network.
- Dissemination beyond the network,
especially to the general public.
These types of communication are obviously
destined in the first place for those
taking part in the projects, along with
the other partners, but they should progressively
contribute to building up a body of knowledge
made available to regional, national and
international organisations with a view
to ensuring that Mediterranean woodland
areas are given the indispensable level
of attention they absolutely need in major
public policy for land use and sustainable
development in the regions concerned here.
Themes
Within each region a main theme has been
chosen which reflects either a major orientation
of the region: the fight against wildfire,
pastoralism, wood production, public access…
or a topic felt to be particularly crucial
by those taking part and requiring
special attention: taking into account
public expectations, reforestation, restoration
after wildfire, an owners organisation,
capitalisation of information through
a GIS…
Types of Cooperation-Communication
Bi- or multilateral communication
between pilot sites
"What’s been done here can be
done elsewhere." Thus, time and means
must be given over at each site to keeping
the partners at other sites informed of
technical and organisational features
and results to the maximum and, in return,
obtaining from the partner sites similar
information by going there on visits,
training and work periods or by the exchange
of technical personnel.
Capitalisation of knowledge and know-how
Little by little, by virtue of exchanges
between the different sites, a body of
acquired skills and understanding will
build up which can be dynamically integrated
into undertakings as they go on and, at
the same time, be modified in the light
of the multiplicity of experiences.
Such a process will require a wide
variety of forms of communication and
dissemination: printed material, electronic
networking, seminars… which will
be taken in hand by the International
Association of Mediterranean Forests.
Dissemination beyond the network
At length, the overall « production »
generated by this system will very quickly
constitute a volume of capital that should
be made available to a much wider audience.
This wider communication will be not only
an opportunity to enhance those practices
best adapted to Mediterranean woodlands
but will also lend us greater credibility
as we seek to enlighten local, regional,
national and international institutions
on such methods.
Role of the International Association
of Mediterranean Forests
The International Association of Mediterranean
Forests has been made responsible for
the technical and administrative initiative
required in this project. As such, and
under the supervision of the Steering
Committee and with the help of its own
institutions (Administrative Council)
and network, the IAMF will contribute
its overall methodology which, thanks
to its federating dimension, should ensure
that each site and all those actively
taking part will be effectively involved
in cooperation and exchange.
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