The Forest: ‘A Source of Life for Everyone’

Project Update March 4, 2025

East Africa dialogue takeaways

Project Update July 2, 2024

Hazo tokana tsy mba ala, Malagasy for “one tree does not make a forest”, is the perfect summary of the true value of forests: their strength lies in numbers. More trees mean richer ecosystems, habitats, and services. When more people understand and value these forests, they will be more intentional about protecting them or using them sustainably. These were the key takeaways from the East Africa edition of the Wyss Academy Dialogues on the True Value of Forests held in Maroantsetra, Madagascar, on 13–14 June 2024. The event saw 26 participants drawn from government and civil society gather to develop concrete steps toward reforestation, diversified livelihoods, and greater awareness of the importance of forests.Tatjana Von Steiger, Head of Global Policy Outreach at the Wyss Academy, explained: “We want to contextualize the debate by anchoring it in the local context. This way, we can enable various stakeholders to bring in their perspectives—and that’s key to developing a joint vision and exploring novel ideas.”Fusion of past, present and future It is often said that moving forward requires learning from the past, and this is particularly true when developing effective advocacy and behavior change strategies. Strongly held cultural and spiritual beliefs directly impact understanding of, and receptiveness to, scientific or other information connected to the value of forests. This is not to say that previous generations lacked an appreciation for forests. In fact, trees and forests were generally revered and rarely cut down without performing special rituals. For instance, in Maroantsetra, offerings of honey and alcohol were prepared for Zanahary (Malagasy for God) when seeking permission to cut down a tree, and approval came in a dream. The ritual still exists, with a modern condition that the tree be felled using an axe rather than a chain saw. In other parts of Madagascar, it was believed that the spirits of departed loved ones resided in trees and that anyone who cut them down risked being possessed.As time and Christianity gradually weakened these traditions, the value of forests became less protected. Trees were now felled for firewood, construction, food, and medicine, often without ensuring regeneration. The present reality of forests is to provide sustenance, and this comes with its own set of challenges. Soil erosion, reduced agricultural productivity, pollution, and loss of cultural practices are some of the notable consequences of this shift.So, what does this mean for the future of forests in Madagascar? Finding a balance between the two extremes of rigorous protection and use is critical. While this is easier said than done, it is certainly possible. For starters, a clear governance policy on environmental and forest protection must be developed and strictly enforced. This should quickly be followed by intensive public awareness activities, to ensure that local communities are properly educated on conservation and sustainable management of forests.

Europe dialogue takeaways

Project Update June 6, 2024

What exactly makes forests truly valuable? How can their potential be used to address the needs of human beings and nature to an equal degree? And, more specifically, how should the Swiss Energy Policy 2050 be coordinated with forest conservation? These and other questions were discussed intensively on the 4th and 5th of June 2024 on the occasion of the Dialogue with Purpose on the topic of "The True Value of Forests" held in the Emmental valley of the Swiss Canton of Bern. In response to an invitation from the Wyss Academy for Nature and the Office for Forestry and Natural Hazards of the Canton of Bern, around 35 experts and representatives of civil society, enterprise, science, politics, administration and  arts met for this purpose in Hünigen Castle and in Toppwald forest.32 per cent of Switzerland’s national territory, which is equivalent to approx. 13,000 square kilometres, consists of forest – an area shared by 250,000 private and 3,400 public forest owners. It is obvious that not every stakeholder will share the same perception with regard to the significance and usage of forests. The aim of this dialogue was to openly address different positions and current problems and to develop initial approaches to solutions together.Integrated land use systems are neededThe morning of the first day focused on 'Integrated land use systems for renewable energy in the forest environment'. Disputes regarding land use have intensified over the years in Switzerland. The reason is that, on the one hand, the demands made on land for nature, cultural and water conservation have grown and, on the other, the spread of settlement and traffic infrastructure areas was hitherto only inhibited to a moderate degree. This area of tension was also reflected in the enthusiastic debate regarding Energy Policy 2050. For example, given the need for wind turbines, the strict Swiss ban on forest clearance will probably come under increased pressure. Sustainable utilisation of woodThe afternoon then saw those attending enjoying the forest at first hand. An extended tour in the beautiful Toppwald forest offered the dialogue participants instructive insights into the sustainable utilisation of wood by the state forest service of the Canton of Bern, an approach that, in addition to woodcutting, also includes measures aimed at forest rejuvenation and benefiting nature conservation. What is envisaged in the long term is an even balance sheet with regard to timber, but a long road still needs to be travelled before this goal is achieved. Investigations conducted by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) indicate that more forest wood could be used economically than has been the case to date. However, increased exploitation does not reflect the real situation in forestry. Reasons include the trade in CO2 certificates, unprofitable timber production, opposition to the utilisation of wood and the expansion of forest reserves where the use of wood is largely prohibited.Diverse interests associated with the public forestIn addition to sector-specific interests, however, numerous other societal demands need to be taken into consideration today where the public forest is concerned. The participants started with this topic on the second day. From the jogger to the botanist and the ornithologist to the forest kindergarten employee, to mention a few, all of these are involved in using this resource and have specific and, in part, diverging ideas on how their natural powerhouse should be provided. As a consequence, foresters find themselves increasingly involved as mediators in conflicts over forest use. The fact that some interest groups are better organised and more articulate than others in expressing their involvement does not always benefit the entire population.Developing initial approaches to solutionsThe creation of an overview of these diverse and complex problems took some time. This was followed by the development and presentation of concrete solutions. These ranged from new business models for the timber industry, a therapeutic forest for a hospital and an awareness campaign for the forest to a marketplace for biodiversity credits, just to name a few. The fact that the ideas in the co-design process were created in part by small groups with a very heterogeneous composition made them much more likely to endure. And the fact that, following the official conclusion of the dialogue, individual participants got together to further develop their project ideas was a powerful signal that gives cause for optimism.🌍 The Wyss Academy "The True Value of Forests” dialogues, which are a cooperation with our partner, Impact Hub Network , are a series of global events which aim to encourage the exchange of local solutions that promote the value of the forest and to initiate concrete measures. The prelude occurred at the beginning of May in the Brazilian city of Manaus in the Amazonas region. Following the second event, which was held last week in Thailand, the dialogues from the 4th and 5th of June in the Emmental valley represented the third event. The conclusion of the regional series is planned from the 10th to the 17th of June in Madagascar. A global event planned for the second half of 2024 will gather findings from the different regions and contribute to the identification of commonalities shared by all and, also, the special characteristics and features of forests.

Southeast Asia dialogue takeaways

Project Update June 4, 2024

In Southeast Asia, the true value of forests is multilayered and multifaceted. On 30–31 May 2024, close to 60 participants from Cambodia, the Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam came together in Nan province, Thailand, to participate in a dialogue on the significance of forests. This Southeast Asia event, part of the global series of Wyss Academy Dialogues on the True Value of Forests, created a safe space for diverse perspectives to be shared and heard. It underscored the importance of the region’s forests to its people and shone a light on the shared values individuals and communities across the world ascribe to their forests.Traversing the Amazon, Southeast Asia, Europe and now Africa over the course of a few weeks, the Wyss Academy Dialogues have been about sharing, listening and learning. “We need to build bridges and break silos, and these dialogues are meant to create safe spaces for different sectors to come together,” said Tatjana von Steiger, Head of Global Policy Outreach at the Wyss Academy as she addressed the Southeast Asia dialogue attendees on the first day of the event.The profound connection local communities have with their forests was repeatedly highlighted over the course of the two-day dialogue – during group interactions and exercises, and a visit to the field in Santisuk district, where a nature-based solution site is being piloted as part of the Trees4All project. Participants often referred to the forest as their “mother” and “provider” as well as their “bank” and “supermarket”. It became clear that forests are not just seen as a source of livelihood, but as an integral part of cultural heritage.

South America dialogue takeaways

Project Update April 24, 2024

On 14–16 May 2024, around 30 representatives from Amazonian countries, including Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, and Bolivia, gathered their collective experience—totaling more than 900 years of working and living in the territory—to share their knowledge about the true value of the forest also known as “the lungs of the world.” The event was part of the global series of Wyss Academy Dialogues on the True Value of Forests. It created a safe space for discussing regional perspectives on the significance of the Amazon Rainforest—beyond its rich biodiversity, clean water sources, and oxygen production. According to Miguel Saravia, Director of the Wyss Academy’s Hub South America, the dialogue offered a “new opportunity to think collectively and creatively about solutions to the major environmental challenges we face both in the Amazon region and on the planet.”According to the Amazonian Network of Georeferenced Socio-Environmental Information (RAISG), the Amazon covers an area of 8,470,209 km². The opportunities for sustainable development are as vast as the size of the region. Besides preserving the forest, it is also crucial to insure that the local and Indigenous communities living in and around the forest have sustainable resources and income.“When one thinks of the Amazon as a virgin forest or intact virgin ecosystem, one is imagining something that does not exist. It is a fantasy,” said Mariana Varese, Director of Amazonian Landscapes at the Wildlife Conservation Society and participant in the dialogue. “The Amazon and its diversity, complexity, and contribution to the planet are possible because, for over 10,000 years, Indigenous peoples have inhabited and managed it. Therefore, any solution route to conserving the Amazon must include and benefit Indigenous peoples and local communities,” added the expert.During the dialogue held in the city of Manaus, Brazil, participants from various backgrounds and perspectives—such as Indigenous peoples, the business sector, academia, NGOs, and public institutions—shared their experiences and jointly developed a vision and clear ideas on how to collaboratively address the urgent challenges.“Great opportunities arise from the true incorporation and prioritization of the multiple values of the Amazon in policies, investments, science, and social practices. Significant progress was achieved through the dialogue,” stated Mariano Castro, Director of Unidos por el Bosque at Fundación para la Conservación y el Desarrollo Sostenible (FCDS), the Wyss Academy’s partner organization for the regional dialogue in South America.The participants in the dialogue concluded their activities by formulating a collective statement on the values they attach to the Amazon, with inspiring statements to guide future work in the region: “We recognize the Amazon as a living, complex, and interconnected system, as a connector of time, space, and people. The Amazon is also a right, a set of experiences and stories, both individual and collective, human and non-human. We need to build a collective path and weave together collaborations and initiatives. We need to share stories that exemplify the values of the Amazon and the benefits of conserving it. We need to communicate, using appropriate language for each audience, the urgency of the consequences of the disappearance of the Amazon, as well as the threats contributing to its degradation. We need to create fluid and efficient communication between the scientific community and the State, to govern based on evidence and strengthen relationships among all actors to face ongoing challenges. We believe it is essential to recognize and defend people’s right to prosperity and nature’s right to exist. We want to communicate this collective vision of the Amazon to Amazonian peoples, Amazonian countries, and the world, and to build a path of joint actions that transcend physical space and reflect the interconnection between people and nature.”This collective message will now be shared and inspire the upcoming regional and global Dialogues on the True Value of Forests, explained Tatiana Glad, Executive Director of the Impact Hub.“The recent dialogue in South America about the Amazon has set a powerful precedent in recognizing the true value of forests. The Impact Hub global network is excited to join forces with the Wyss Academy and regional partners so that the vital role of forests is championed by communities around the world. As we prepare for the upcoming dialogues in other regions, we anticipate each conversation will deepen our understanding and commitment—get ready to witness a wave of environmental insights, advocacy and action!", said Glad. The next dialogues about the True Value of Forests will be held in Southeast Asia on 30–31 May, in Europe on 4–5 May, and in East Africa on 13–14 June. A final and global event is planned for the second half of 2024. The Dialogues on the True Value of Forests are organized by the Wyss Academy for Nature in collaboration with the Impact Hub Network and had the regional support of the Foundation for Conservation and Sustainable Development (FCDS) in South America.