SILVA Network Annual Conference 2024
Topic: Changing expectations of society and policy for higher forestry education
April 16-18, 2024 in Kaunas (Lithuania)
Read more: Second Announcement & Program
Register: Registration form
Topic of the Conference: Changing expectations of society and policy for higher forestry education
Forestry is becoming increasingly complex as a result of the requirement to balance numerous stakeholder interests. Forestry is challenged by issues such as climate change, carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, rural development, and adaptive ecosystem management. In the course of the energy transition, forests are seen as an important source of bioenergy. On our way towards more bioeconomy, forests shall sufficiently supply us with raw material. Forest products and services satisfy a wide range of ecological, social and economic needs and address a variety of interests, people and organizations. The number of forestry stakeholders is continually growing, spanning territorial, social, economic, and political borders. Nevertheless, or perhaps precisely because of this, social expectations and values have changed considerably in recent years. Forestry has partly lost its social license to operate and its position in land use consultation, due to its bad name as wood cutter and its introvert attitude. The question arises, how forestry can regain acceptance. Forestry education should provide the equipment and the attitude to engage in this challenge.
Forestry education has a long history and has changed considerably: Having focused on forest management in the past, it now emphasizes the management of natural resources for valuable connections between humans and ecosystems. How can forestry education help to address contemporary forestry practice challenges? How should present and expected future societal needs be incorporated into forestry education and its curricula? To transform forestry education, efforts must be made to coordinate and connect relevant institutions and stakeholders. A collaborative effort from all stakeholders appears to be the way ahead in changing the existing forestry education model to accommodate new courses and skills that will better train future foresters.
We look forward to contributions from students, teachers, and administrative staff regarding:
- The current problems and coping techniques in higher forestry education.
- The actual and expected role which forestry education plays in society today and in future.
- Surveys of higher forestry education forest curricula to meet stakeholder demands.
- Expectations for higher forestry education from forest policy and practice.
- Changes in higher forestry curricula, teaching and learning experiences, tools, and strategies for meeting societal needs.
- Development of a higher forestry education curricula in the context of societal demands and global issues.
- Competencies in higher forestry curricula to integrate and disseminate knowledge across discipline boundaries.
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation as major concerns in higher education forestry courses.
- Various organizations' perspectives on higher forestry education.
Registration
Registration is now open until March 29th, 2024. Klick on the Registration form to save your place for the SILVA Conference.
Join us and submit an abstract by February 5th, 2024!
Please e-mail your abstract, of up to 300 words, to Sandra Liebal (
Host & Venue, Travel & Accomodation
Host: Faculty of Forest Science and Ecology, Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania.
Address: Universiteto 8A, Academia, Kaunas r. Lithuania.
Accomodation: Participants have to make their own accommodation arrangements, at their cost. The following are examples of accommodation:
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Best Baltic Kaunas (A. Mickevičiaus g. 28, Kaunas, 44311 Lithuania): https://bestbaltichotels.eu/kaunas/en/ (This hotel offers special rates for clients of the Vytautas Magnus University. Please mention Vytautas Magnus University when booking the room and send an information to Vitas Marozas. He has to confirm SILVA Conference participants.
- Moxy Kaunas Center (Maironio street 19, Kaunas 44250 Lithuania): https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/kunox-moxy-kaunas-center/overview/
- Best Western Santakos Hotel (J. Gruodzio ST. 21, Kaunas, 44293 Lithuania): https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-details.91400.html
- Kaunas (Laisves av. 79, 44297 Kaunas, Lithuania): http://www.kaunashotel.lt/en
- Radisson Hotel Kaunas (K. Donelaičio 27, Kaunas 44240, Lithuania): https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/
Traveling: Participants make their own travel arrangements, at their own cost. Possible ways for arrival to Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) campus:
- By plane to Vilnius International Airport, then by train or bus to Kaunas railway station or bus station, later by bus or taxi to VMU AA. For more information: http://www.vilnius-airport.lt/en/
- By plane to Kaunas Airport (Karmėlava), then by microbus or taxi to Kaunas Center and VMU AA. For more information: https://www.kaunas-airport.lt/
- By train to Kaunas Train station, then by bus or taxi to VMU AA. For more information: http://www.litrail.lt/wps/portal
- By bus to Kaunas Intercity Bus station, then by bus or taxi to VMU AA. For more information: http://www.autobusubilietai.lt/
- By car – directly to VMU AA.
The scheme of Kaunas public transport is available via internet in web page: http://www.kvt.lt/en
Fees
The early bird registration fee is €200; this applies up until March 20th after which, a fee of €220 applies. There is a student rate of €120. (Registration includes coffee, lunches, the conference dinner, and the field trip. Participants will also be provided with a printed copy of the proceedings following publication).
Registration must be paid in advance (details to follow in coming days).
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