Forest Science-Policy Interface in the Context of the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe: A Policy Perspective

Abstract

The Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE) is an international policy-making platform on forest policy in Europe. Forty-four European countries and the European Community elaborate common views on forest policy issues and commit themselves to actions at periodic Ministerial Conferences. In addition, 41 observers representing various civil society groups, international institutions and scientific organizations contribute significantly to the work of the MCPFE. The MCPFE provides an active interface with forest science. This paper outlines the structure and working modalities of the MCPFE. It shows that the MCPFE working modalities allow easy access, broad and open consultative processes and contributions from various stakeholders, including forest science. It reviews how forest science has used this opportunity, how it has contributed with its competence to forest policy deliberations and implementation of political commitments in the past, and which opportunities arise for the coming years with regard to the work of the MCPFE.