Dates: 22nd -23rd August, 2024
Location: Amikus Hotel, Musanze – Rwanda
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Gain insights into local and global issues of forest degradation.
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Discover the latest EU regulations and Rwanda's conservation strategies.
Apply & Participate
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Join us for a pivotal two-day symposium at the Amikus Hotel, focusing on the future of forests. Earth, our planet, has faced a series of changes and difficult periods of climatic shifts, bringing about severe disasters and a rapid increase in desertification.
In response, Rugezi Ornithology Center (ROC) and Wildlife Conservation Initiative (WCI), in partnership with the EU Sustainable Value Chains Jean Monnet Chair, are dedicated to enhancing and advancing the future of forests. This event will address the ecological, economic, and social roles of forests in Rwanda and neighboring regions, while also considering global biodiversity crises and climate change.
Together, we aim to ensure the wellness of our forests now and for the future.
• Understand Forest Degradation: Gain insights into local and global issues of forest degradation.
• Learn Policy Responses: Discover the latest EU regulations and Rwanda's conservation strategies.
• Explore Forest Roles: Understand the ecological, economic, and social roles of forests in the region.
• Engage with Experts: Interact with renowned experts in environmental policy and law.
• Find Sustainable Solutions: Collaborate on sustainable solutions for forest protection and restoration.
Organisation: UCLouvain Saint-Louis, Belgium
Position: Expert in EU environmental law and policy.
Website: www.tradevenvironment.eu
Organisation: University of Tromsø, Norway
Position: Expert on zoonotic diseases and their links to deforestation.
Organization: Arcos Network
Position: Climate Resilience & Green Development Leader
Organisation: World Resources Institutes (WRI)
Position: Portfolio Specialist for Lake Kivu and Rusizi River Basin
Topic: Focuses on environmental law and policy in Rwanda.
Organisation: College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (UR_CAVM)
Position: Lecturer at University of Rwanda
Topic: Focuses on sustainable agriculture and forest conservation.
Organisation: BPN Rwanda
Position: Branch Manager
Topic: Specialist in sustainable economic development.
Organization: INES-Ruhengeri
Position: Lecturer and PhD Candidate/Disaster Risk Reduction
08:30 AM - 09:00 AM:
Welcome and registration
09:00 AM - 09:15 AM:
General Introduction; Mayor of Musanze District (15 Min) Morning Sessions
09:15 AM - 11:20 AM:
1st Session: Forests, from Economic Resources to Ecosystem Services
• State of Play of Forest Law in the EU - Prof. Dr. Nicolas de Sadeleer, Jean Monnet Chair (40 Min)
• The Rwandan Forests as an Economic Resource - Rwanda Forest Water Agency Representative (30 Min)
• The Forest as an Ecosystem Service Provider - Dr. Amani Mabano, Biologist/Ecologist, Arcos Network. (30 Min)
• Round Table Discussion (25Min)
11:20 AM - 11:35 AM:
Coffee Break
11:35 AM - 12:50 PM:
2nd Session: Forests and Nature Conservation Law: Area-based and Species-based Measures
• The State of the Law in the EU - Prof. Dr. Nicolas de Sadeleer (20 Min)
• The State of the Law in Rwanda - Jackson Ndera, Lawyer, WRI (20 Min)
• Forest and Nature Conservation - Ministry of Environment Representative (20 Min)
• Round Table Discussion (15 Min)
12:50 PM - 02:05 PM:
3rd Session: Forests and Water Resources
• The State of the Law in the EU - Prof. Dr. Nicolas de Sadeleer (20 Min)
• The State of the Law in Rwanda - Lawyer (20 Min)
• Forest and Agriculture - Dr. Richard Kanyarukiga (20 Min)
• Round Table Discussion (15 Min)
02:05 PM - 02:45 PM:
Lunch Break
02:45 PM - 03:45 PM:
4th Session: Forests, One Health, and Biosecurity Issues
• Deforestation and the Emergence of Infectious Diseases - Prof. Dr. Jacques Godfroid, University of Tromso, Norway (35 Min)
• Invasive Species - Prof. Dr. Nicolas de Sadeleer (10 Min)
• Round Table Discussion (15 Min)
03:45 PM - 05:00 PM:
5th Session: Forests and Global Warming
• Forests as Carbon Storage in the EU - Prof. Dr. Nicolas de Sadeleer (10 Min)
• Global warning - Prof. Dr. Nicolas de Sadeleer (10 Min)
• Forests as Carbon Storage in Rwanda: Ecological Perspective - Biologist/Ecologist (20 Min)
• Forests as Carbon Storage in Rwanda: Economic Outlook - Andrew Rucyahana, Economist, BPN (20 Min)
• Round Table Discussion (15 Min)
08:30 AM - 09:00 AM:
Welcome and registration
09:00 AM - 11:20 AM:
6th Session: Forests and Agriculture Coffee Production in Rwanda: Ally or Enemy of the Forest?
• State of Affairs - Prof. Dr. Nicolas de Sadeleer (30 Min)
• Implications of the ‘Zero Deforestation Product’ EU Regulation on Coffee Production (30 Min)
• Rwandan Economic Perspective on the Impact of the EU Regulatione (30 Min)
• Rwandan Administrative Perspective on the Impact of the EU Regulatione (30 Min)
• Round Table Discussion (20 Min)
11h20-11h40:
Coffee break
11: 40 AM – 12: 45 PM:
7th Session: Forests and Land Management
• The State of Affairs in Rwanda - Ministry of Land Planning Representative (50 Min)
• Round Table Discussion (15 Min)
12: 45 PM – 1:30
• Conclusions by Prof. Dr. Nicolas de Sadeleer, Joseph Desiré Dufitumukiza and SHEMA Serge (Each 15 Minutes)
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
• Lunch Break
3:00 PM- 05PM
• Tree Planting Event
• Location: Designated Reforestation Area near Musanze
• Participants: All symposium attendees, local community members, and sponsoring organizations
• Purpose: To contribute to local reforestation efforts and engage participants in hands-on conservation work.
• To enhance knowledge in Rwanda of the work carried out by the EU in order to protect forests.
