Summary of Main Discussion Points - HCV Resource Network

HCV Resource Network Steering Group Telecon: 3 June 2008
1. Introduction
Summary of Main Discussion Points
The HCV Resource Network’s Steering Group (SG) held a telephone conference, on 3
June 2008.
Participation
The SG was represented by: Forest Peoples Programme (Marcus Colchester, SG cochair);
Borealis Centre (Jim Ford); Forest Stewardship Council (Andre de Freitas); The
Nature Conservancy (represented by Fran Price and Jack Hurd); International Tropical
Timber Organisation (Eduardo Mansur and John Leigh); Stora Enso, representing the
Sustainable Forest Products Industry working group of WBCSD (Anna-Liisa Myllynen);
Tetra Pak (Lena Dahl), and the World Conservation Union/ IUCN (Guido Broekhoven).
Members of the Secretariat (represented by ProForest) involved were: Christopher
Stewart, (Associate Director), and Nilofer Ghaffar (Network co-ordinator).
Apologies
Apologies for not being able to participate were received from: WWF International
(Ken Creighton,) and the World Bank (Andrey Kushlin).
Objectives
Primary objectives for holding this meeting were:
• to update SG members on developments regarding the convening of an HCV-
RN Technical Panel
• to discuss plans and opportunities for forthcoming Network meetings and
presence at additional relevant international events
• to discuss future Network proposals and projects
• to review SG composition
• to explore potential dates for the SG’s next physical meeting
2. Discussion summary
2.1 Technical Panel (TP) update
Membership
The Secretariat reported that to date 27 applications had been received for
membership of the panel and that these had been forwarded to the Quality Control
sub-committee (QC) of the SG - comprised of: Andrey Kushlin, Anna-Liisa Myllynen,
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Fran Price, Geri Steindlegger (and/or Ken Creighton), Jim Ford, Marcus Colchester
and Peter Gardiner - for their initial consideration.
It was noted in general the applicants were of an extremely high quality but that
there were significant gaps in both expertise with social issues and from the Latin
American region (possibly due to a lack of practitioners comfortable operating in
English). The SG discussed the need for some more dedicated strategic outreach to
fill these gaps. It was reiterated that the primary function of this panel was to be a
scientific and technical one. However, it was also recognised that balancing
stakeholder views would be likely to lead to an increased balance of technical skills,
and that this should be borne in mind when making the final selection.
Agreed Actions
1. Members of the QC to suggest their preferred 20 candidates from the 27
applications received asap.
2. 3-4 spaces to remain open on the TP for the additional skill sets lacking in
representation.
3. Full SG to confirm final membership of the TP on a no objections basis, with a
view to inviting members to an initial kick-off meeting provisionally
scheduled to be held in Oxford at the end of July.
Funding
The issue of fundraising for the first physical meeting of the Technical Panel (i.e.
over the course of the next month) was discussed. It was noted that in order to avoid
potential concerns of “green washing” and /or conflicts of interest the Network
needed specific rules with respect to which private companies it could approach for
funding. In the specific context of raising funds for the TP, it was emphasized that
individual companies would have no say in either the composition of the panel or
any of its outputs.
Agreed Action
1. Start fundraising for TP meeting over the course of coming month.
2. Co-chairs to draft a policy outlining rules for accepting funds from private
donors.
3. SG to agree procedure rules by email consultation.
2.2 Network Activities 2008
Technical Regional Update Meeting: N-W Russia, early September
The Secretariat updated the SG on plans to hold its next regional meeting in
Syktyvkar (Komi Republic). The proposed timing for this has been shifted to early
September (originally scheduled for the latter half of the month) as a result of a
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potential clash with the Taiga Rescue Network’s Conference (due to be held 29
September – 7 October in Karelia). The Secretariat confirmed that this meeting would
follow a model similar to South Africa, and primarily consist of one-and-a-half-day of
technical regional updates (including from 3-4 invited speakers from Europe and
Canada), followed by a field trip to view Mondi operations in the area.
Agreed Action
Secretariat to budget predicted costs, and liaise with Peter Gardiner to use Silver
Taiga facilities, WWF logistical assistance and Mondi funds for holding the meeting in
the first week of September (exact dates to be confirmed).
World Conservation Congress: Barcelona, 5-14 October
Guido Broekhoven discussed various opportunities for an HCV-RN presence at the
forthcoming WCC meeting for which the programme is being currently finalised. It
was noted that although there was limited scope to conduct a more technical
workshop, there was still ample opportunity for a small promotional / informal
networking event at the IUCN Forest Programmes Pavilion (a semi-open physical
space). The exact purpose of hosting such an event was discussed, and the SG
concluded that it would be best categorised as modest awareness raising to promote
further general understanding of the Network; however, the idea of conducting a
more technical roundtable/ discussion regarding the issue of building in broader
safeguards into HCV assessments was also put forward (see section below on
“Implementing Charter Commitments”).
Agreed Action
1. Guido Broekhoven to send out further details of the event, including list of
potential “journeys” indicated through the programme.
2. Secretariat to liaise with Guido Broekhoven and finalise nature of Network
participation.
FSC General Assembly: Cape Town, 2-9 November
Andre de Freitas described the nature of the upcoming FSC General Assembly i.e.
comprising of both side-meetings and formal FSC business days, and invited all
members of the Network’s SG to attend. The opportunities for showcasing the HCV
Network at a workshop (side meeting) hosted by Mondi were also briefly discussed.
Agreed Action
Secretariat to liaise with Peter Gardiner and Andre de Freitas to further explore
potential for Network presence and related events.
2.3 Future work programme
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BACP Proposal
The Secretariat informed the SG of the recent (28 May 2008) expected launch of the
IFC’s Biodiversity and Agricultural Commodities Programme (BACP), and provided an
update on the proposal for global coordination of HCV landscape planning projects
which is to be submitted under the aegis of the Network.
Agreed Action
Secretariat to circulate final draft concept note of BACP proposal previously
commented on and approved by both co-chairs to rest of the SG for additional
comment.
Implementing Charter commitments
The SG discussed the continuing need to examine the issue of the lack of adequate
safeguards with respect to the use of the HCV approach outside its original
certification context, and emphasized the need to prioritise this activity over the
course of the following months. Although the SG recognised that the BACP proposal
(see above) would in some part contribute to the development of such safeguards
(i.e. by proposing cohesive methodologies to build capacity amongst practitioners),
there was still a need to have a more dedicated additional discussion to secure the
commitment of the Network’s charter. Various options for this were considered,
including possible side-events at WCC and /or at the FSC GA.
Agreed Action
1. Secretariat, to work with Marcus Colchester, and present ideas for process to
develop safeguards to rest of SG.
2. Small group of SG to work with Andre de Freitas / FSC to see which elements
of the P & C would need to be included.
2.4 SG members update
In light of Nalua Silva Monterrey’s resignation, due to her additional work
commitments, the SG considered the need for a replacement representative of her
broad stakeholder constituency. Additionally, all existing SG members were
reminded of their obligation to name an alternate to attend meetings and deal with
HCV-RN matters arising on their behalf.
Agreed Action
1. SG members to suggest additional social and / or Latin American
representatives to the Secretariat /Co-chairs
2. SG members to reach consensus on who to invite to join
3. All SG members who have not yet nominated an alternate to do so asap
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3. Next Meeting
It was noted that there will be substantial SG member presence both at the WCC in
Barcelona (October) and the FSC GA in Cape Town (November), and that it would
therefore make sense to investigate the feasibility of conducting the next physical
meeting in conjunction with either one of these events.
Agreed Action
Secretariat to conduct email enquiry into SG members and alternates presence at
both the World Conservation Congress (Barcelona 5-14 October) and the FSC General
Assembly (Cape Town 2-9 November) to help decide location and dates for next
meeting.
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