2011: UN International year of the Forests - what can we bring to this year?

There are many ways to contribute in this world!

Whilst visiting Robyn at Fragments, treasures and memories I discovered her post with this wonderful video:   MUSIC PAINTING - Glocal Sound - Matteo Negrin

A gentle approach to Global Warming.

Robyn writes "we are eco-system destroyers and we need to change our ways."

She is based in Perth, Western Australia is both direct and no-nonsense and remarkably warm and caring... with a loyal blog following who relish her desire to speak straight from the heart on what matters most in daily life.

Many times Robyn has sent me things to post on the Homage blog... so dod pop over and see whats happening in her corner of the world!

....and talking about contributing... a visit to the UN website for this years theme offers many ideas for your consideration.

After the global focus on Biodiversity last year this year the UN is celebrating the International Year of Forests - 2011.

Logo for 2011

The International Year of Forests 2011 (Forests 2011) logo is designed to convey the theme of “Forests for People” celebrating the central role of people in the sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of our world’s forests. The iconographic elements in the design depict some of the multiple values of forests and the need for a 360‐degree perspective: forests provide shelter to people and habitat to biodiversity; are a source of food, medicine and clean water; and play a vital role in maintaining a stable global climate and environment. All of these elements taken together reinforce the message that forests are vital to the survival and well being of people everywhere, all 7 billion of us.

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly

On the report of the Second Committee (A/61/422/Add.1 and Corr.1)

61/193. International Year of Forests, 2011

The General Assembly,
Reaffirming its commitment to the Non-legally Binding Authoritative Statement of Principles for a Global Consensus on the Management, Conservation and Sustainable Development of All Types of Forests and Agenda 21, adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, the United Nations Millennium Declaration, adopted at the Millennium Summit in 2000, the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development and the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2002,

Recalling the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa, and other relevant conventions dealing with the complexity of forest issues,

Recognizing that forests and sustainable forest management can contribute significantly to sustainable development, poverty eradication and the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals,

Recalling Economic and Social Council decision 2006/230 of 24 July 2006,

Emphasizing the need for sustainable management of all types of forests, including fragile forest ecosystems,

Convinced that concerted efforts should focus on raising awareness at all levels to strengthen the sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests for the benefit of current and future generations,

1. Decides to declare 2011 the International Year of Forests;

2. Requests the secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the Secretariat, to serve as the focal point for the implementation of the Year, in collaboration with Governments, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and international, regional and subregional organizations and processes as well as relevant major groups;

3. Invites, in particular, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, as the Chair of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, within its mandate, to support the implementation of the Year;

4. Calls upon Governments, relevant regional and international organizations, and major groups to support activities related to the Year, inter alia, through voluntary contributions, and to link their relevant activities to the Year;

5. Encourages voluntary partnerships among Member States, international organizations and major groups to facilitate and promote activities related to the Year at the local and national levels, including by creating national committees or designating focal points in their respective countries;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session on the state of preparations for the Year.

83rd plenary meeting
20 December 2006 

Marking World Environment Day, UN sounds alarm on biodiversity (click on heading to read this article)

so what will we bring to this year?